Atos Medical

Alison_B

My son has been on ESA for a couple of months now and has just received a letter asking him to go for a medical on Wednesday. What can he expect to do at this medical? Is there anything in particular we need to take along or do?

Thanks

Muttleythefrog

If he has filled in his ESA50 (usually sent out for completion before medical arranged) and knows what descriptors should apply to him then it is worth 'revising' the day before so as to be prepared to give the sorts of answers appropriate.

He'll be picked up from the waiting area by the Healthcare Professional (who could come from a diverse range of medical backgrounds) and that's when the assessment begins. (The walk from waiting area to assessment room offers opportunity to test walking capabilities). Once in the assessment room the HCP will be sat with a PC and they'll be using a piece of software to record information during the assessment. They should have read all evidence available (such as ESA50) before seeing him and should ask appropriate questions to gather facts that helps them decide what descriptors, if any, are relevant.

Take any supporting medical evidence along (especially if it hasn't already been supplied to DWP) and present to HCP at start of medical. Even letters regarding appointments with medical professionals can be helpful.. for example a psychiatry appointment letter infers there are real mental health problems being examined.

Experiences people have of these assessments vary wildly (to the extent people can come out really upbeat saying the HCP listened and was really nice - only to find out later they scored them with zero points and found nothing much wrong with them... to those who experience antagonistic exchanges with apparently dismissive HCPs and end up stuck in the Support Group of ESA on the recommendation of that HCP's report). Questioning can be quite subtle (and good cop bad cop tactics can be employed alternatively throughout) and sometimes deliberately provoking of misleading testimony and it is worth being prepared for that.. perhaps taking a pause before answering questions. Questions like 'did you have a nice journey into our assessment centre' (which for many claimants is not likely for mental or physical health reasons) and 'what sort of TV programmes do you enjoy watching' (which might indicate ability to sit for periods and concentrate) are not pleasantries... but deliberate questions designed to establish facts regarding illness. 'Do you have any hobbies' (a person's hobby might be quite revealing in terms of what they can do).

If claiming ESA on mental health grounds expect observations to be made regarding stereotypical symptoms of common MH problems that will form facts obtained that will be used to justify descriptors selected... like facial expressions, rapport, speech, trembling.

The assessment may last about 30 minutes... again the length of medical assessment can vary significantly... but expect longer than 15 mins and not more than an hour. A copy of the report produced, which will score your son against the descriptors and potentially be powerful evidence used by the DWP decision maker to decide on ESA entitlement, can be obtained for free by calling the DWP at the number (not free..lol!) on top of ESA letters... the DWP will receive the report probably fairly quickly from the HCP but a decision on entitlement may take many weeks.