Ask Atos Healthcare disability assessment questions

halight

How many ATOS doctors have been found guilty of misconduct.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/how_many_atos_doctors_have_been

Atos_Healthcare_representative

KxMx wrote: »

I had several issues (one serious) with my WCA in April.
I made an official complaint in May was told you anticipated the investigation to take 4 weeks, and if it turned out to be longer I would be kept informed.
Well it's 5 weeks Monday and I guess I am phoning the number supplied. I have heard nothing from you.
Very disappointed I have to complain that you have not followed your own complaint process!

Hi KxMx

I am sorry that the investigation is taking longer than anticipated, I am sure if you phone the telephone number on your acknowledgment letter you will receive an explanation and update.

Atos_Healthcare_representative

pip2012 wrote: »

My Mum has now receied a letter stating they have requested a GP report before a decision can be made. I called them and it appears that they no longer require an ATOS medical at home just the report. Is it usual for them to change their minds?

They have already received a completed questionnaire from her cardiologist.

Hi pip2012

I’m here in relation to the WCA process, rather than DLA, but I do know that if the DWP get information in that means that an existing DLA appointment is no longer needed it is normal for them to ask us to cancel it.

saintscouple

Hi, I wonder if anyone here has any advice - My wife had a DLA Medical with a home visit from Atos on 25th April this year, she currently gets high mobility and low care, but apparently the person from Atos who conducted the medical made some amendments on the forum for which they are waiting for a doctor to review it. This has been going on for weeks and my wife's blue badge runs out the end of next month which means if it is not sorted shortly she will be unable to use her disabled parking bay outside the house. Parking is terriable around here and she will become housebound without its use.
So it's been over 8 weeks since the medical and wondered if anyone had any advice on how we can get things moving quicker? The last thing we were told is when Atos eventually handover the medical to the DLA people, it will take them a further 2 weeks to process!!!
Any advice most welcome as my wife is so stressed and worried and I don't know how to help her.
Thanks

damo24

saintscouple wrote: »

This has been going on for weeks and my wife's blue badge runs out the end of next month which means if it is not sorted shortly she will be unable to use her disabled parking bay outside the house.

Speak to your local council with regards to the blue badge. It is possible to be issued with one without receiving high rate mobility.

Being in receipt of high rate mobility means automatic qualification for a blue badge but they can also make assessments based on physical conditions. This is usually used for people who develop mobility problems but have not yet reached the 3 month threshold for DLA however there is nothing to stop them issuing a blue badge based on your circumstances.

zzzLazyDaisy

pip2012 wrote: »

My Mum has now receied a letter stating they have requested a GP report before a decision can be made. I called them and it appears that they no longer require an ATOS medical at home just the report. Is it usual for them to change their minds?

They have already received a completed questionnaire from her cardiologist.

It sounds like they are looking for confirmation that she should be put in the support group. My advice is to contact the GP's surgery and make it clear that you/she want an appointment to discuss this before the form is completed.

Then do a short note covering the bullet points that the ESA questionnaire asks the GP - copy here:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/esa113-interactive.pdf

This will make the GP's job easier, as a lot of the questions s/he simply cannot answer without speaking to you.

pip2012

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

It sounds like they are looking for confirmation that she should be put in the support group. My advice is to contact the GP's surgery and make it clear that you/she want an appointment to discuss this before the form is completed.

Then do a short note covering the bullet points that the ESA questionnaire asks the GP - copy here:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/esa113-interactive.pdf

This will make the GP's job easier, as a lot of the questions s/he simply cannot answer without speaking to you.

Thank you for the advice, that's a great help - I will speak to the Doctor today and arrange an appointment for her.

Can I also just ask what the support group is?

Thank you

zzzLazyDaisy

Ah, sorry the Support Group relates to ESA (this is an ESA thread). But from the ATOS reps recent answer it looks like your question related to DLA?

If that is the case the link I gave you is not the correct GP form, as that also relates to ESA. Nevertheless the advice for DLA is the same in principle - your doctor cannot give the information necessary to support your claim unless you go in and see him/her - simply because DLA is about care and mobility needs, rather than medical diagnosis, so unless your gp regularly sees you in your home environment, s/he won't be able to give a detailed report unless you go in and discuss the situation with him/her.

pip2012

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Ah, sorry the Support Group relates to ESA (this is an ESA thread). But from the ATOS reps recent answer it looks like your question related to DLA?

If that is the case the link I gave you is not the correct GP form, as that also relates to ESA. Nevertheless the advice for DLA is the same in principle - your doctor cannot give the information necessary to support your claim unless you go in and see him/her - simply because DLA is about care and mobility needs, rather than medical diagnosis, so unless your gp regularly sees you in your home environment, s/he won't be able to give a detailed report unless you go in and discuss the situation with him/her.

Ok I understand. So she would have to claim ESA seperately? This is all completely new to me and very confusing, I must say!

zzzLazyDaisy

pip2012 wrote: »

So she would have to claim ESA seperately?

Yes but depending on her/your circumstances she may/maynot be eligible. I suggest you start a new thread on the benefits forum if you need help/advice as that isn't really what this thread is for, and your issue is likely to get lost/overlooked on here.