ESA50 filled in. ATOS assessment - what do they ask?

Ellejmorgan

dazza-mac wrote: »

I'm surprised that you had to kneel on a chair to have your legs checked. I'm really confused as some people have said that you do not get a 'medical' - so no getting undressed etc, but that you merely are spoked to by someone who taps into a computer. Was yours an ATOS assessment which is what I'll be getting when the date is sorted?

I think that's the WCA you are thinking of the medical can be thorough, I have spinal problems my legs are affected, I didn't get undressed but he did check my legs in depth ankles, heels and SLR's, as well as neck and arms..

It was ATOS and I was kept in the WRAG, this was my 2nd medical in 3 years

Ellejmorgan

schrodie wrote: »

I would therefore suggest contacting ones MP explaining that Atos are behaving contrary to what Graying has dictated they should do. Also make Atos aware that you will be making a formal complaint about their refusal to record your assessment in light of Grayling's statement and that you have contacted your MP about their behaviour with resect to this matter.

In other words kick up a stink!!!!

And in the meantime your benefit is suspended or stopped, rent, council tax and school dinners are not paid for...

Richie-from-the-Boro

- the Data Protection Act places certain obligations on data controllers
- in terms of the Data Protection Act .. .. the DWP is a data controller
- DWP customers are .. .. not data controllers and are not bound by any such legal expectations
- an individual making public a recording however would be expected to notify the Information Commissioner
- an DWP FOI agreed / disclosed that a member of the public is not acting illegally by secretly recording medicals

However :

A gray area as yet untested is if a medical is brought to an end because a health professional discovers they are being secretly recorded can cause the DWP to refuse benefit on the grounds that the claimant caused the medical to be abandoned by acting unreasonably. >> be very careful with this make sure it does not happen <<

There are 11 regions in the country and 11 machines were purchased after Professor Malcolm Harrington recommendations for the Pilot Study in March 2011

dazza-mac - here is the new ESA214 - [the June 2011 descriptors]

grummps

Horseunderwater wrote: »

TO Dazza mac (OP). I had my re scheduled medical this afternoon. They cancelled it twice - not me. Met what I would consider a reasonable Dr (female) who knew about my medical condition and what sort of problems I could be facing in my day to day life. Re stated the facts as per the form. She typed it in to PC and it was done/dusted inside about 1/2 hour. Told it should be finalised inside 4 weeks. Now I have no idea if I will be allowed to keep on the ESA, but it was not a bad medical, unlike some of the stories that people write about. The way I handled it was to read up on the descriptors pertaining to what I cannot do - in my case - it is walking and losing control of bladder etc. So in effect I should qualify under 2 different physical descriptors. I just made sure that I told them the real stark truth. Be blunt and do not be embarrassed - just state facts slowly at them.

Don't be too optimistic! They are not what they appear to be.
The proof will be in the pudding so to speak - after you have read the ESA85!!!

HB58

OP, you need to know that nothing that is asked wll be a 'social' question. The HCP will extrapolate from your answer and apply it to other things.

For instance, the seeming innocent 'Did you have a good journey here?' will be used as proof that you can walk, stand, sit etc. You will probably be asked whether you watch TV and which programs you enjoy - this will be used as proof that you can sit and concentrate for the duration of the program.

Never answer 'yes, but...' to a question, the HCP will tick the 'yes' box on the computer and move on. You should say 'no, no without...' as appropriate.

The HCP will not ask you to undress but might take your BP and briefly examine the area relevant to your problem. The session will be dictated by the computer and the HCP will spend most of his/her time at the keyboard (computer, not musical :0 ).

It is worth familiarising yourself with the descriptors and also re-reading your application form before the appointment.

dazza-mac

grummps wrote: »

Don't be too optimistic! They are not what they appear to be.
The proof will be in the pudding so to speak - after you have read the ESA85!!!

What's an ESA85?

dazza-mac

Ellejmorgan wrote: »

I think that's the WCA you are thinking of the medical can be thorough, I have spinal problems my legs are affected, I didn't get undressed but he did check my legs in depth ankles, heels and SLR's, as well as neck and arms..

It was ATOS and I was kept in the WRAG, this was my 2nd medical in 3 years

The wording on the form says, "We have been asked by the DWP to carry out an assessment in relation to your benefit claim. We have arrange an appointment for you at... Medical Examination Centre

dazza-mac

I've just been reading in ESA214 - [the June 2011 descriptors] and it states that:

The claimant’s own doctor will be required to give an opinion on fitness for work, on a statement of fitness for work, prior to the application of the medical assessment. This opinion will be considered by the decision maker along with all the other evidence

I can only assume that the gp I usually see hasn't responded to this as she was quite sympathetic to my predicament and my distress at being refused a treatment plan by the pain clinic on account of it's outside my local PCT.

So it looks like it's going to be a waste of time going to this assessment and expect the decision that I feel should be made. I've read of cases where people have not even had to go for an assessment. The stress and worry is killing me. I've aged so much and can't ever remember a time when I didn't feel knackered from lack of sleep - partly due to the health problems and partly the unending worry. I feel sick all the time.:(

Cpt.Scarlet

dazza-mac wrote: »

I've just been reading in ESA214 - [the June 2011 descriptors] and it states that:

The claimant’s own doctor will be required to give an opinion on fitness for work, on a statement of fitness for work, prior to the application of the medical assessment. This opinion will be considered by the decision maker along with all the other evidence

It is referring a Fit Note issued by your GP which is required for a new claim of ESA.

The DWP may request more detailed info from a GP by the use of an ESA113, but they are not required to.

Ellejmorgan

dazza-mac wrote: »

I've just been reading in ESA214 - [the June 2011 descriptors] and it states that:

The claimant’s own doctor will be required to give an opinion on fitness for work, on a statement of fitness for work, prior to the application of the medical assessment. This opinion will be considered by the decision maker along with all the other evidence

I can only assume that the gp I usually see hasn't responded to this as she was quite sympathetic to my predicament and my distress at being refused a treatment plan by the pain clinic on account of it's outside my local PCT.

So it looks like it's going to be a waste of time going to this assessment and expect the decision that I feel should be made. I've read of cases where people have not even had to go for an assessment. The stress and worry is killing me. I've aged so much and can't ever remember a time when I didn't feel knackered from lack of sleep - partly due to the health problems and partly the unending worry. I feel sick all the time.:(

They don't talk to gp's, they don't have consent to talk to them...
Has nothing to do with your doc not responding...
This is ATOS's assessment, and that's that...

Most people are placed in the WRAG, unless you are on contribution based then I wouldn't appeal afterwards if placed in this group...