Ask Atos Healthcare disability assessment questions

Richie-from-the-Boro

rmelly wrote: »

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

- I too would be interested in the answer to this question
- 1T / UT or both would be nice

mazza111

It is going well

Richie-from-the-Boro

Atos_Healthcare_company_representative wrote: »

Reports are normally available the next day for the DWP following the Work Capability Assessment. A random number are chosen for quality audit and this may delay their release for a few days. The Benefit Centre handling your claim will be able to confirm when the report is received

Our health care professionals, whether doctors, nurses or physiotherapists, will introduce themselves to you. The title doctor should only be used if the health care professional was a doctor.

WCA Question

Your own application process requires a minimum of RGN with three years or more post registration experience. Atos Healthcare declare a team of more than 2500, 1900 of whom are are qualified medical professionals.

- What % of the 76% who are qualified to carry out WCA's work on the front line and actually carry out WCA's on a day to day basis .. .. interacting directly with 'customers' ? and ;

- What % of the 76% who are qualified to carry out WCA's work on the front line and actually carry out WCA's on a day to day basis interacting directly with 'customers' .. .. are registered as 'doctors' ?

Thank-you for your help in this matter.

sicknotethefirst

sicknotethefirst wrote: »

I see he/she has run off again? probably to watch this http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=12175

Funny how he/she disappeared Today, 11:11 AM when Atos are getting a hammering in Parliament :T

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

Atos should be answering all questions that it can.

A couple of people have asked why Atos isn't answering questions in order. We asked Atos not to hold off answering later questions while they were gathering the info for earlier ones, so that people hopefully get their answers sooner rather than later.

Andrea

cub

Questions for Atos:
Why are claimants called for WCA's when a physical examination can add no knowledge beyond that given on the ESA50 form?
Why are claimants telephoned by Atos staff on a Sunday morning, threatening them with stopping of their benefits?
Why do Atos staff lie to claimants about their rights?
How do Atos justify putting pressure on senior civil servants to threaten claimants who want accurate assessments?
Why do Atos ignore complaints about incompetent assessors?
If claimants are required to provide audio recording equipment in the absence of equipment that should be provided by Atos, presumably the cost to the claimant of hiring & transporting such equipment will be reimbursed by Atos?

schrodie

sicknotethefirst wrote: »

Funny how he/she disappeared Today, 11:11 AM when Atos are getting a hammering in Parliament :T

That was one hell of an MPs debate which exposed how vicious, nasty and inept Atos are with respect to treating sick and disabled people. Some of the accounts by MPs of how Atos had treated their constituents at WCAs was absolutely disgusting.

Poor old Hoban tried to put on a brave face but the mood of the House was that Atos are not fit for purpose!

As for this Atos person answering questions rather than just putting out soundbites I think it'll be very much later (if at all) rather than sooner!

nanatopsy

Have been reading this with interest and although not directly involved, it should matter to everyone what is happening in the UK. I found it absolutely disgraceful, reading about all the people who have clearly had such traumatic experiences with all this, that there were so few MPs there to speak on behalf of their constituents. Isn't everyone complaining to their MP and if they are, if their MP wasn't there today, are you really going to vote them in again?

schrodie

The fact that there were so many tories and lib-dems actually there speaks volumes about how serious [all] MPs think about the inability of Atos to do their job properly and with dignity and decency towards sick and disabled people.

My tory-boy MP wasn't there but I didn't expect the likes of him to care a jot about sick & disabled people.

alphaman29

Atos_Healthcare_company_representative wrote: »

If the claimant has no medical evidence to send in, and the information that is provided on their questionnaire suggests that advice could be provided to DWP without the need for a face to face assessment, a request will be sent from Atos Healthcare to the GP for more information.

I have chronic spinal conditions which stopped me from working in 2007 and was severe enough for me to qualify for early retirement on health grounds. As I am not fit enough to have surgery I rely on medication and limiting my activity to control the pain but am unable to walk more than a few metres and use my mobility scooter to get around.

Despite giving full details of my difficulties on the ESA50 questionnaire I had not seen a Consultant for over three years as there was nothing they could do for me and I believe this resulted in me being initially placed in the WRAG rather than the Support Group. I joined the ‘Benefits and Work’ organisation and downloaded their guides to help me appeal.

I had not been required to attend a face to face assessment and neither had ATOS deemed it necessary to obtain information from my GP so it was essential for me to get medical evidence to support the details given in the ESA50.:mad:

The practice manager was very helpful and arranged photocopies of all relevant correspondence from the hospital for which I was charged £20. Whilst I remember being made aware of this correspondence at the time it is certainly not normal for my GP to give copies to me as a matter of course which I am sure is the case for a majority of patients.

I appreciate the cost is an issue for some and other practices may charge more or less but recommend that if you have a chronic condition that does not require regular hospital treatment you would be advised to obtain evidence. I sent a letter asking the DWP to reconsider my case supported with the correspondence from the hospital and was placed in the Support Group without having to resort to tribunal which saved a great deal of stress - worth far more to me than £20.