Ask Atos Healthcare disability assessment questions

damo24

isolation wrote: »

Dear ATOS Rep, above you say " This helps the HCP to write a report that explains the effects of your conditions" - would it be possible for you to explain that if this is the case why do your HCPs often say exactly the opposite in their report?

To give a few examples, my partner has severe pancolitis and explained that she has emitted only liquid faeces, blood, intestinal lining and pus for 3 years - This was interpreted as "Has Diarrhoea every so often"

She spoke of her poor continence issues due to the reason above. This was interpreted as "Has no problems with continence". (Though then said she has to rush to the toilet lest she has "accidents"!)

The HCP did not discuss going shopping at all, yet he wrote that she 'walks to local shops daily' 'walks to local shops when there is a need' (when in fact she has not walked to a local shop in a year and a half and personally, I don't know of anyone who goes to the shop everyday) and also 'drives 10 minutes to local supermarket (when even if this conversation took place, our supermarket is literally 200 yards away).

During a discussion of hobbies, my partner said that she used to like to read but struggles to concentrate de to her medication which was translated to 'reads for about half an hour at a time' when no time at all was discussed.

She also said that she cannot follow knitting patterns any more but likes to knit squares for blankets for the cats home when she is able. This was translated to "Does needlework and knitting most days"

She stated that I deal with her affairs like banking and so on and the medical reasons why - this was translated to "Had no difficulty completing ESA50 form and Deals with letters and correspondence without difficulty"

She stated that at the time of the assessment, she had recently had a long stay in hospital after admittance in emergency circumstances the previous month due to medium term malnutrition and severe rectal bleeding. This was translated to "(condition) has not changed for several months"

She told of the fantastic treatment at her specialist colo rectal hospital which was translated to 'there is no specialist input at present'.

and so on...

Would it perhaps not be better if your HCPs are so poor at remembering conversations that they perhaps record them and are given time to write them out in a proper and professional manner ?

(Needless to say that this farcical report was later withdrawn but was used to dent ESA for 7 months and is still being used to deny DLA).

Dee
dwpnegligence.wordpress.com

Hi Dee,

I know that the purpose of this thread is not to call ATOS and instead let them answer our questions or at least the parts they want to answer (please note ATOS rep I am still awaiting answers to my questions located at http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=58555081&postcount=129 and http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=58600685&postcount=148 in case you've missed them).

I think that reading other forums and social networks you will find that the medical reports produced tend to use stock phrases rather than what is actually said during the assessment. I know of a number of people who have exactly the same phrases used in their reports despite them saying completely different things.

I can sympathise with your frustration with the final report. During my assessment I stated that I visit the local shops once or twice each month and do the rest of my shopping online or rely on someone else to go shopping for me. Somehow this was transcribed as "goes shopping in the town centre at least twice each week".

I could go on and on but I think it is suffice to say that my main carer submitted a 22 page typed statement highlighting all of the inaccuracies in the medical report which the DM has dismissed leaving it to the tribunal to decide so please don't think that you're alone in this.

sicknotethefirst

halight wrote: »

Just giving this a 2nd bump as the Atos Healthcare company representative seems to have missed my post.

I don't think he will answer this because:
The Dwp's interpretation of Section 3(2) SSA 1998 is correct for 'Data Processors', The ICO still defines any organisation which 'offers and opinion which on the balance of probabilities, may alter a later decision' as Data Controllers, therefore the Dwp's interpretation in respect of forwarding information to ATOS Healthcare or any other contracted organisation, in view of offering 'an opinion' is in err of law.

damo24

halight wrote: »

Well I will keep on bumping it.

If they are the good company that's cares for its "Customers" Like that say they are then they will answer it.

It is after all a simple question and one that I believe we all have a right to know the answer too.

It's my understanding that company's have too tell people if and what Data that hold about them if they ask ? I might be wrong on this but I think I'm right.

I will keep bumping it up. Then a least I will know that the good person that posts as the Atos Healthcare company representative Will not have missed my post. That they Just choose not to answer it. Because they don't wont us to know the answer.

I think that a quick look at http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/personal_information.aspx says it all although I'm sure that you would be made to pay the full £50 and wait the full 40 days

I would however like the ATOS rep to advise whether they would class the section that states: "You also have the right to ask about any logic involved in any automated decisions made about you" as being proprietary information and as such excluded from such a disclosure as it is subject to copyright or something similar.

halight

sicknotethefirst wrote: »

I don't think he will answer this because:
The Dwp's interpretation of Section 3(2) SSA 1998 is correct for 'Data Processors', The ICO still defines any organisation which 'offers and opinion which on the balance of probabilities, may alter a later decision' as Data Controllers, therefore the Dwp's interpretation in respect of forwarding information to ATOS Healthcare or any other contracted organisation, in view of offering 'an opinion' is in err of law.

If that is the case then then the Atos Healthcare company representative should say that sorry but I can not answer this because ????????????? And then tell us why they can not do so.

If someone takes the time to contact a company. The said company should at least take the time to thank the "customer" for taking the time to ask a question. Even if they can not help with the question.

sicknotethefirst

halight wrote: »

If that is the case then then the Atos Healthcare company representative should say that sorry but I can not answer this because ????????????? And then tell us why they can not do so.

If someone takes the time to contact a company. The said company should at least take the time to thank the "customer" for taking the time to ask a question. Even if they can not help with the question.

halight

Lets just face it. Atos Healthcare are just useing this forum for there own PR. They only answer the easy questions that you would be able to find an answer to on there web site or on the DWP web site. They will not answer anything that even looks a bit "gritty"

They are here for themsels and so they can say that they "engage" with there "Customers"

isolation

damo24 wrote: »

I think that a quick look at (ICO - link removed as I'm not allowed to post links yet) says it all although I'm sure that you would be made to pay the full £50 and wait the full 40 days

I would however like the ATOS rep to advise whether they would class the section that states: "You also have the right to ask about any logic involved in any automated decisions made about you" as being proprietary information and as such excluded from such a disclosure as it is subject to copyright or something similar.

I know that it isn't my place to answer questions on this forum, so apologies if I incur the wrath of the moderators!

If the question isn't answered by the ATOS rep, you can send an Freedom Of Information request to the DWP. ATOS say that the DWP are their data handling controllers and often say that similar requests need to go to the DWP. I sent a SAR to the DWP and whilst ATOS sent me their info pretty quickly, I am still waiting for the DWPs.

I even had to send an FOI request to the DWP for ATOS complaints procedure as ATOS refused to give me access to it!

HTH,
Dee

schrodie

isolation wrote: »

I know that it isn't my place to answer questions on this forum, so apologies if I incur the wrath of the moderators!

I wouldn't worry about it too much as this Atos person appears not be be providing that many answers anyway!

rmelly

First of all I accept as a country we are in a financial mess and something needs to be done which will have an impact upon everyone.
However these steps in reducing public spending should primarily focus on efficiency.

This leads me to my question:

How many of the assessments that are carried out in each category by ATOS result in an appeal and are then overturned.

The point I allude too is if they were done correctly in the first place it would save money. I am sure if the Government received a refund for every assessment ATOS got wrong along with costs of the tribunal the outcomes would change.

dimmick_2

I suffer from fibromyalgia diabeties and suffer from Diabetic neuropathy i allso have four dry disc in my lower back have constan siatica in my left leg constant pain in my knees and ankles i attended a medical in december and have now had my money lowerd been placed in the work group have just recieved the medical report and have appealed against the decision the medical was done by a nurse and was an absolute joke at the end of the report she stated that i could return to work in the next 12 months this was from a nurse not a specialist or doctor but a nurse! they did not contact my doctor for any information nor did they ask for any like i said its a joke