Leak: User manual for the ATOS medical assessment computer system

Lum

http://issuu.com/atosvictims/docs/lima-v2-technical-manual?mode=window&pageNumber=1

Not sure if I should be posting this here, but I know there are plenty of people who are facing ATOS assessments and who are financially dependent on the result, so it seems like this would be useful information.

It seems to give a decent overview of the system and criteria used to turn people's complicated medical histories into a series of tickboxes. I figure having knowledge of this may help someone figure out how to word their experiences in such as way that the correct tickbox is chosen. Therefore it might be a good read... forewarned is forearmed and all that.

I've not read it all myself yet, but one thing that springs immediately to my attention is page 29 where it states that the system gives priority to "observed behaviour", so if you have a fluctuating condition and turn up on one of your good days, prepare to get shafted.

I also notice, from the screenshots, that they're running this on an old unsupported version of Windows that has plenty of known vulnerabilities that will never be fixed, and that the password policy for the actual medical system is worthless and will result in their "doctors" choosing passwords that will be crackable in a matter of seconds.

Edit: Oh, this has just turned up in my inbox too. The document makes many references to "descriptors". Here they are: http://issuu.com/atosvictims/docs/2011descriptors?mode=window&pageNumber=1

jamespir

interesting reading thanks for posting it

Cpt.Scarlet

It's dated 2004 which pre-dates ESA by four years and the current descriptors by seven, so not a lot of use.

Lum

Good point on the 2004 date, however I edited in a link to the current descriptors, and the computer system itself may not have changed.

Anyone been to an ATOS assessment and know if they're still using the same system?

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

LIMA is the system they are using as far as I know. Just a tick box System with THE DESCRIPTORS BEING MUCKED ABOUT WITH.
(that is one of the Benefits of being in the Benefits and Work Forum is that you learn things like that).

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

Grayling (BBC Parliament) wishes to stop all the high level of Appeals and has done some nasty stuff to discourage appeals like stop Appellants Benefits, put 'em on lower Benefits.
There is a whole Academic side of this Disability Denial thing which does not help people as they should be helped with work and with Benefits both critically important.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I would't trust the DWP as far as I could throw them BUT I like all other Claimants seek to be legal etc. They put us through hell to get the money.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

WP Welfare to Work babysitting Jobseekers Sessions are notoriously underequipped considering the funds they get from the Taxpayer.

Lum

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver wrote: »

LIMA is the system they are using as far as I know. Just a tick box System with THE DESCRIPTORS BEING MUCKED ABOUT WITH.

So the manual is still relevant then. It doesn't list all the specific descriptors in any case, just examples.

Still an interesting read, since it describes exactly how the assessments are performed, straight from the horses mouth.

rogerblack

Lum wrote: »

So the manual is still relevant then. It doesn't list all the specific descriptors in any case, just examples.

Still an interesting read, since it describes exactly how the assessments are performed, straight from the horses mouth.

This is exactly like asserting that windows 8 is just the same as windows 3.11.

The version of the software is not the same, and there have reportedly been considerable changes to the process.
Is it interesting - yes.
Can you draw conclusions without further evidence - no.

Some minutes googling revealed:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/lima_diagnostic_history#comment-27341

Which further links to http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/96708/response/254842/attach/3/150%20LiMA%20WCA%20Review%20Exam%20Application%20Technical%20Guide.pdf

this is the 2011 version of the above document.

It also must be read in conjunction with:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-handbook.pdf - this is the handbook on how HCPs are supposed to complete the test.

You should really also read http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch42.pdf - which is how the decisionmaker - on reciept of the HCPs report should determine your claim.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-06-11.pdf are the descriptors the above refers to.

Lum

Well, I guess I'm well and truly humbled by that post, but thank you!