ESA; Atos Medical Tomorrow; Very nervous;

cit_k

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

Just got back, after a lovely stroll home along the river, after my ghastly 'medical'!

Got there 10 minutes early, to be greeted by the aftermath of a poor lady having had a panic attack.

Luckily, it got better after that!

The Doctor turned out to be rather lovely

She asked me the scripted questions off the computer; eg "How do you spend your day?" and "How long have you been drinking?"; Asked to see my medication (I'd taken them with me), and then what I'd like to add at the end, as we'd discussed the fact that I'd pushed myself back into work too soon last year.

It made a refreshing change, as she *seemed* to take in what I said, as she typed.

The Doctor last year was an old fella, and as amicable as he was, he didn't really listen!

So, this time was like a breath of fresh air.

As things came to a close, she asked me if I had any questions, and I asked her, half - jokingly, "Yes. Could I see what you've written?"

She replied that I'd get a letter in the post, and that she would make sure the DWP are aware that I need time to recover (backed up by my GP's letter, which she already had).

All in all, not too bad.

I still don't expect to 'win' much more than 'nil points' though!

Which brings me on to....

Going to call the DWP now, and ask them to post me an appeal form, so I'm on top of things.

Any of you who've got a medical assessment coming up, good luck to you.

They usually (but not always) come across as rather lovely, and seem to be listening to what you say, and friendly etc.

Its when you read the medical report that you often realise it was all a well rehearsed con on their part.

Ps, the dr has breached GMC rules by not offering or allowing you to see a copy of the report before it was sent to the decision maker. (although they breach the rules on all IB / ESA assessments as a matter of course this way)

SimIsOnTheUp

cit_k wrote: »

They usually (but not always) come across as rather lovely, and seem to be listening to what you say, and friendly etc.

Its when you read the medical report that you often realise it was all a well rehearsed con on their part.

Ps, the dr has breached GMC rules by not offering or allowing you to see a copy of the report before it was sent to the decision maker. (although they breach the rules on all IB / ESA assessments as a matter of course this way)

Hiya,

Oh, I'm quite aware of their attempts to 'lull people into a false sense of security', as well as the leading questions that they ask!

Regarding your point re the Doctor breaching GMC rules, I wasn't aware of that, so thank you.

I did find it odd, as she asked me if I had any questions at the end, and when I said "Yes. Could I just check what you've typed please?", she tried to fob me off with "I've just put down what you've told me" and "You'll get a letter in the post, in the next few days".

I did ask a second time, but she wasn't going to budge, so I left it!

Before she even asked me any of the automated ATOS / LIMA questions, I made it clear that at the Tribunal Hearing last September, the Judge AND the GP there, had agreed to overturn the initial Healthcare Professional's (Retired GP at my last Medical in Feb '10) and instead of my original Nil Points, they awarded me with 16 points / 6 months minimum of WRAG.

I also told her, that I'd pushed myself back into work too early (last November), and that my GP's letter confirms all of this.

The cynic in me, assumes that 1 / The ATOS software she's using doesn't even *let* her add that info; 2 / All of the Doctors employed by ATOS, have targets to meet (ie - sign us as 'fit for work').

Alas, all of that is out of my control, so it's pointless my getting stressed out over it!

Are these so - called Healthcare Professionals, paid a bonus for granting less points to people? :rotfl:

Cheers - Sim.

SimIsOnTheUp

Btw -

It's all a bit silly isn't it, aside from a grotesque waste of public funds, them having this system.

I mean, if most people appeal, and 60 - 70% of people are successful at the Appeal Hearing stage, 6+ months down the line, then why drag it all out when they've got to backdate claimants' money anyway?

They bank on people not having the nerve to go through with the Appeal Hearings I assume.

All of it is most unethical.

System

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

'You'll get a letter in a few days' is probably not accurate... I'd be tempted to request copy of the medical report while you wait for a decision which I suspect she is referring to.

I can second this, 5 weeks and still no letter (despite ringing up and asking for one), i only found out i was still in the support group cos i'd continued to be paid...

Glad it seemed to go ok for you, hope you get the result you need

SimIsOnTheUp

Great news that you're in the Support Group

Poor form re 5+ weeks, and no letter though!

Thanks for the well wishes. I hope so too, but I'm expecting the 'Great Britain...Nil Points' as per last year.

I mean, how do you answer 'Why do you think you drink?" and 'Can you make a phone call'? I can see what they're getting at, but they really do go about it the wrong way.

Where did the post by 'Muttleythefrog' go?!

SimIsOnTheUp

PS - I've not long got off the phone to my local Benefit Office; Asked them to send me an 'Appeal Form', which they're going to. (As I'm expecting to 'fail' their points system, I'm going to do everything I possibly can, so that I'm not left without any money).

PPS - How do I go about getting a copy of the medical report? (Call Atos or the DWP?)

Cheers.

stentipede

Good luck
if/when you fail: appeal.
You have to concentrate on how well or not you are able to interact with others and does the stress make you behave in an unacceptable manner? They are bad enough with physical conditions, with mental health it can be a !!!!!.
How long were you in work? It may be that the "linking rule" may allow your two periods of disability to be linked toghether, effectively re-starting the ESA where you left it. Not sure of the durations off-hand, it can get quite complcated.
Do you have a wefare rights unit or CAB in your area? They are very good sources of help. What about your CPN? A good one may go with you.
ATB

Muttleythefrog

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

Where did the post by 'Muttleythefrog' go?!

lol.. I deleted it within 10 seoncds... not fast enough huh..lol.. I'd thought there was reference to 'few days' then checked and there didn't seem to be so I withdrew it as it may be unduly vindictive to ATOS..lol.

Muttleythefrog

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

PPS - How do I go about getting a copy of the medical report? (Call Atos or the DWP?)

Cheers.

DWP. They should send a copy for free on request once they get it.

SimIsOnTheUp

stentipede wrote: »

Good luck
if/when you fail: appeal.
You have to concentrate on how well or not you are able to interact with others and does the stress make you behave in an unacceptable manner? They are bad enough with physical conditions, with mental health it can be a !!!!!.
How long were you in work? It may be that the "linking rule" may allow your two periods of disability to be linked toghether, effectively re-starting the ESA where you left it. Not sure of the durations off-hand, it can get quite complcated.
Do you have a wefare rights unit or CAB in your area? They are very good sources of help. What about your CPN? A good one may go with you.
ATB

Re - Linking Rules, this is where the DWP have right - royally p issed me off!

I was on ESA November '09 - November '10.

I started work November '10 - January '11.

ESA from February 11; ESA *was* being paid at 'assessment rate'.

I then read up on 'Linking Rules' online, and called the Benefits Office.

The girl there said "Oh, there is a note on here saying the linking rules should apply"

They hadn't been though!

I asked her to escalate this, to her Manager, which she kindly did.

Manager called me back 6 - 8 weeks ago now, and said "Yes, the Linking Rules have been applied, but you are only entitled to the lower 'Assessment Rate' of ESA until you pass the Medical"

My response to him regarding the fact that very few people, are 'passing' these medicals, was met with a stock 'I can't comment on that'

I did post about this Linking Rules debacle on MSE, a month or so ago, and I was told that yes, they should only be paying me the "Assessment Rate' of ESA.

My gut instinct tells me, that this is wrong.

Surely, if the Linking Rules *apply* which the DWP have told me they do, then they should be *applying* them - ie - paying me the higher, WRAG rate of ESA (as I'd been awarded last September by the Judge, for a minimum of 6 months; However I pushed myself back into work too early - in November).

Any confirmation regarding this either way, would be most appreciated!

Cheers - Sim.