Ask Atos Healthcare disability assessment questions

Richie-from-the-Boro

likelyfran wrote: »

Don't know about monetary commission but fairly sure they are TARGET/STATISTICALLY driven...

ATOS do not have targets, they have statistical norms which are used to ascertain how many people a health care professional assigns to the different eligibility groups in Employment Support Allowance. An average of only 13 out of 100 fit~to~work initial assessment [pre appeal] are allowed to score sufficient points or the HCP is subjected to a 'performance review' that's their individual - group - and organisational non-target - for missing the organisational [PBR] [STRIKE]targets[/STRIKE] statistical norm.

If a mere 13 out of every 100 ever pass, then 87 out of 100 don't pass. That does indeed mean the DWP / DM has no targets for expected range or distribution because they are pre-exluded from the DM assessment outcomes .. .. get it now ? .. .. they do not have targets.
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Reporter (Jackie Long): - Throughout his training Dr Bick has been reminded how tough it is to assess people's fitness to work. Officially though it is not the Atos doctors who make the final decision. Dr Bick reports will be sent to a Decision Maker at the Department for Work and Pensions who can also look at evidence from the claimant's own doctors. But our undercover doctor is told that the Atos verdict is usually decisive.

Atos Trainer 1: - I will emphasise that we are only giving advice but the final decision belongs to the Decision Maker and I will always emphasise you will say that to the clients. Just to push, kind of, the guilt from yourself that is how I say because really they wait for our advice. But officially according to the procedure guidelines final decision is made by the Decision Makers.

Reporter (Jackie Long): - In practice the DWP agrees with the Atos medics ninety four percent of the time. What the assessors put in their reports is usually final. More than two in every five claimants appeal against the assessments, a process which is costing forty five million pounds a year. But Dr Bick and the other trainees are told they don't need to worry about the appeal tribunals at all.

Atos Trainer 1: - Good thing for us is that even if you make the wrong decision because you have no evidence. You don't see xrays. You don't see ECG. You just only see the person so you can be wrong but you never go to the tribunal. This is a good think. You never go to the tribunal. So you won't be blamed.
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Oh and by the way, while we are on the subject a new episode of Yes, Prime Minister starts shortly.

schrodie

isolation wrote: »

Don't Joke about it. My partner's mobility was put into question as she 'could walk 12 metres' to the office (it failed to mention that she had been sat down for over 2 hours waiting for her appointment as the centre was so overbooked and so was ok to walk that far nor that she fell whilst walking to the scales and had to be helped up by the 'nurse').

Dee
dwpnegligence.wordpress.com

The overbooking is a deliberate act by Atos just to prolong the discomfort.

schrodie

MSE_Archna wrote: »

Hi all

Just to reiterate this is a trial and we'll be reviewing the feedback on here to see if it's worthwhile continuing.

Thanks

Archna

If this Atos rep instead of giving PR responses actually answered the questions then there could be a possibility of it being useful but I'm not holding my breath.

The problem is we all know what Atos is like and the tactics they employ during WCAs.

Olive_Oyl

MSE_Archna wrote: »

Hi all

Just to reiterate this is a trial and we'll be reviewing the feedback on here to see if it's worthwhile continuing.

Thanks

Archna

Nice thought Archna but unless you have been through the system and had to fight your way out then no one will ever understand .

Muttey has posted questions politely which the ATOS rep has chosen along with other questions to ignore ,

And also why can't the rep answer all questions in sequence ?
Instead of the lame reply that there are too many questions to answer .?

NB . Not aimed at you directly

Atos_Healthcare_representative

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv wrote: »

Why do ATOS keep ringing me when they have been informed not to on no less than 5 occasions and i have a letter from you dated three month ago which ATOS states:

" i can assure you that this will not happen ever again,the manager of the contact centre has been informed and they will make sure that your phone number is taken off and that you will not be called again"

Funny that they called again today:mad:

I am sorry you have received a further phone call. We would be pleased to look into the circumstances if you contact us by email via our company representative home page.

halight

Dear Atos Healthcare company representative

How long do you hold info about past medicals ? Also what other info you you hold about your "customers" ? And how long do you hold this for ?

Could you also please tell me how I and others can go about finding out what personal data you hold about us?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this.

I and i'm sure others look forward to your replay,

sicknotethefirst

sicknotethefirst wrote: »

I have some very serious health issues which was the result of a quadrupole bypass leaving me with many difficulties including not being able to walk to far without getting out of breath and using my GTN, and my lungs filling up with liquid every day, I also can not leave the house until my medication has done its job which is about 2.30/3.00 pm
each and everyday. I stated all this in my ESA50 and I've also sent in a medical report from my doctor but I was amazed that the Atos HCP (Nurse who I can not find on the GMC site) who looked at my case said "The level of disability is unclear" When all my paperwork sent in clearly states my limitations and was backed up by a report from my GP. Not only have they got this wrong, Atos for 12 months now; can't even get an appointment time correct knowing I can not leave home at say 10 am they send me an appointment for 10 am :think: to date I have had 11 appointments which have all had to be cancelled. So my question the Atos rep is simple: If you have read what I have written here? how can anyone make such a statement as this "The level of disability is unclear" and you can make this a general answer as I'm sure you will.

Another reminder for the Atos rep about my questions.

Atos_Healthcare_representative

bonnie1968 wrote: »

it was just like a having a coversation with my next door neighbour rather than someine who is suposed to be qualifed if iwanted understanding on a persinal rather than clinical id go and talk to one of my freinds

The discussion that takes place with an HCP for a WCA is, in some places, very different from the discussion you are used to having with your GP, for example. A lot of the conversation will focus on your day-to-day life and what you manage/struggle to do in your daily routine because of your health problems. This helps the HCP to write a report that explains the effects of your conditions in your own situation. There is often, relatively speaking, less of a focus on talking through the details of your medical symptoms, treatments and test results that you will be used to with other professionals. This is because the purpose of the assessment is very different.

halight

halight wrote: »

Dear Atos Healthcare company representative

How long do you hold info about past medicals ? Also what other info you you hold about your "customers" ? And how long do you hold this for ?

Could you also please tell me how I and others can go about finding out what personal data you hold about us?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this.

I and i'm sure others look forward to your replay,

Just a bump as I know the Atos Healthcare company representative Is online and posting at the moment.

Atos_Healthcare_representative

Seakay wrote: »

A few weeks ago my sister was assessed by ATOS as being too ill to attend a medical at a location 45 miles from her house.
Now she has been put into the group for ESA which means that she has to travel 50 miles to a WRAG group.
Her GP has written to say that her health has not improved and that any exertion and employment will make it worse.

Please explain why I should not assume that this is a result of the SG group having a numbers limit on it rather than being available to all who need it.

Seakay, Atos Healthcare do not have any targets/limits in relation to the type of advice we give DWP.