My IB - ESA interview....the date has been set...

Prinzessilein

My letter arrived today with the date for my ATOS interview....it takes place on Monday (a week today)

On the medical questionnaire I made it quite clear that I cannot manage stairs....and the letter states that the interview will be on the second floor. There is a lift, but in the event of a fire I would effectively be trapped! The letter sates that if I phone them and let them know of any difficulties, they will ensure someone is there to assist me in case of a fore/emergency!....I won't be able to get down over 30 steps even with assistance....

Did they even bother to read my medical questionnaire?

So, tomorrow they will get a phone-call explaining that I can NOT go upstairs (even with a lift as I would be terrified of being trapped in case of fire!) ....and also requesting that ATOS tape the interview and give me a copy of the recording.

I don't know that the phone-call will produce results, bu we shall see.

I am really nervous as I have little faith in the ability of ATOS to deal with my case effectively....but we shall see!

krisskross

I'm not being difficult but do you never go above the ground floor? Or is it just this particular building?

Prinzessilein

I rarely/never go above the ground floor.

I would feel really uncomfortable knowing that there was no escape route in case of emergency.

nannytone_2

the chances if there being an emergency needing immediate evacuation while you are there, is negligable.

it seems that you are splitting hairs, and they will probably see it the same way.

do you expect them to hire a venue to hold the medical in specifically for you?

UKTigerlily

The chances may be rare but these things could happen & if it were me i'm sure I wouldn't take the risk either, there must be a ground floor room surely

krisskross

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I rarely/never go above the ground floor.

I would feel really uncomfortable knowing that there was no escape route in case of emergency.

There would always be an escape route. I am sure you would be carried down the stairs if the need arose.

nannytone_2

so if you had a hospital appointment that was on the second floor .... you wouldnt attend?

Cpt.Scarlet

krisskross wrote: »

There would always be an escape route. I am sure you would be carried down the stairs if the need arose.

Probably not

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/disabled-man-abandoned-on-the-second-floor-of-building-during-atos-fire-alarm-evacuation-8376322.html

Cpt.Scarlet

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I rarely/never go above the ground floor.

I would feel really uncomfortable knowing that there was no escape route in case of emergency.

Unless your GP is prepared to confirm your problem in using the stairs in writing, it is unlikely that ATOS will take any action, you can ask to be sent to another assessment centre, assuming there is one close enough to you.

krisskross

why not get your GP to say you need a home visit.

sunnyone

This is a ridiculous reason to refuse to go to a "medical", they have evac chairs and people trained to use them for evacuations, or maybe you thing no one with any mobility difficulties should ever go above (or below) the ground floor.

If their is a fireIi wont be fried, the staff will carry me down the stairs in the evac chair, I will have to leave my powechair though.

They will have read the form and since you are not in an iron lung you can use the lift like everyone else.

You have been winding yourself up for months reading the problems a few claimants have and now you are having kittens because your time has come, people who have successful change overs are much quieter than the few who scream about ATOS abuse.

And lets face it, no face to face assessment would live up to your standards, the terms you posted on here were farcicle and could never be met by any govement Dept.

Why should they get a specialist in your condition in especially for you? I have many conditions, do they get in a specialist for each one? I would have been their all day to see them all and it would cost a huge amount of money for just one person, multiply that by each claimant (both successful and unsuccessful claimants too) and the country joins the euro zone in bancruptcy so instead they employ HCP's who see all claimants that have to have the face to face accessments and who understand a variety of common conditions (and yours is common)

The way to avoid a face to face appointment is to supply loads of up to date medical information with your ESA50, its too late once they decide you must be seen.