wrote to my local mp about esa/atos

murphybear5

There is no doubt that there are issues with Atos and the WCA but I know for a fact that not all the people carrying out these assessments are bad or just there to "fail" you so you do not get approved for ESA (see below)

There are many forums on this subject and some of the stories are totally hair raising but I have a suspicion that most of the people who don't have a problem with ESA assessment don't post on them anyway.

I was on JSA and applied for ESA at the end of last June when I was put on list for major surgery. I finally got my WCA in March. By a strange co-incidence they phoned me up the day after I said I was fed up waiting and would contact my MP and the relevant Minister. Contrary to many stories, my assessment centre was brand new, fit for purpose and spotlessly clean. All the staff were helpful and friendly. My assessment took over an hour and was carried out by an English nurse. I did not answer 'yes' or 'no' to any question that was related to a health issue but gave a long and detailed description of my problems and how they affected my health. She spent a lot of time typing! She did not carry out a physical exam as my movements were restricted by health issues.
WCA took place on the Monday. By Saturday I received a letter saying I had passed and was placed in WRAG. By Monday morning nearly £700 of back benefit appeared in my bank account - yippee!

I asked for a written report and when it arrived it was very detailed and very accurate.

I am telling you all this so those of you waiting to go through this process can understand it is not all bad.
T:T:T

Soapn

let's face it, if someone gets the money they think ATOS are great, if they don't get the money ATOS are rubbish

Denny_Crane

fogartyblue. wrote: »

I thought that ESA was brought in to 'weed' out the many thousands of overstated and dodgy IB claims?

I did have the figures a while ago, something like 29% of IB claimants actually passed to go on the equivalent level of ESA??

Doesn't say much for the honestly of the other 71% of IB claimants who were found not to be as ill or disabled/unfit for work as they hoped they were.

The other 71% as you put it willm include all of those who appeal against a system response which take no account of the persons actual abilities, ratehr the ability to tick boxes.
It will be more interesting to see the percentages once the appeals tribunals have sat.
Whilst there are some and I belive a few only who are abusing the system, there are many who, beacuse of their particular disability do not fit the tick box method of assesment and are within that 70%

Denny_Crane

Soapn wrote: »

let's face it, if someone gets the money they think ATOS are great, if they don't get the money ATOS are rubbish

Oh dear! more verbal garbage for someone who i beleive is a troll.

I don't get the money as you so eloquently put it, yet I am against a system which denegrates people by using a stupid check box system than actual facts.

I bet you think Child benefit is great eh? Lets take that from you based upon a check box system beased upon your ability to rear children.

Soapn

Denny_Crane wrote: »

Oh dear! more verbal garbage for someone who i beleive is a troll.

I don't get the money as you so eloquently put it, yet I am against a system which denegrates people by using a stupid check box system than actual facts.

I bet you think Child benefit is great eh? Lets take that from you based upon a check box system beased upon your ability to rear children.

too many touchy people on this forum, have I touched a raw nerve or something, who said I was talking about you?

Denny_Crane

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Ah thanks! Scotland I see!

Up there they have their own agenda and operate a different service.

In England, GP's are OK'ish about ATOS, they worry more about what they could have instead!

Interesting then, this document where ATOS and the BMA are mentioned
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/atos_vexatious_complaints_bma_wa

or this one regarding the General practitioners Council
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/newsarticle-content/-/article_display_list/13584314/gpc-seeks-talks-with-dwp-over-atos-fitness-to-work-scheme-concerns

hardfly stella support for ATOS Eh?

de1amo

Always puzzles me who isnt fit for work because everyone on İB is permitted to do theraputic working hours---the medical experts see its benefits but continue to sign people off because the nature of full time employment makes it completely different---the work parameters take no account of this.

fogartyblue.

Denny_Crane wrote: »

Interesting then, this document where ATOS and the BMA are mentioned
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/atos_vexatious_complaints_bma_wa

or this one regarding the General practitioners Council
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/newsarticle-content/-/article_display_list/13584314/gpc-seeks-talks-with-dwp-over-atos-fitness-to-work-scheme-concerns

hardfly stella support for ATOS Eh?

Both of those links are clearly not 'middle ground'.
Both have an axe to grind and are anti ATOS for their own personal reasons.

fogartyblue.

de1amo wrote: »

Always puzzles me who isnt fit for work because everyone on İB is permitted to do theraputic working hours---the medical experts see its benefits but continue to sign people off because the nature of full time employment makes it completely different---the work parameters take no account of this.

And even worse still. Those that are in the Support Group or the Work Group of ESA, said to be those suffering from an illness or condition that effectively makes it almost impossible for them to work, still manage to clock up up to 16 hours of work at NMW every week for a year!

Some actually go back to their own job whilst claiming ESA, but work restricted hours of under 16 a week just so that they can 'top up' their wage with the £100 or so that ESA gives them.
It is something that you could not make up!

Errr yeah - and they are too sick to work over 16 hours a week???

Denny_Crane

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Both of those links are clearly not 'middle ground'.
Both have an axe to grind and are anti ATOS for their own personal reasons.

LOL, so under that premise, we do not take any notice of what you then have to say, or me for that same reason?

Oh look, the government has a 100% approval rating, because those who dissaprove have an axe to grind!

LOL, You crack me up LOL