Ask Atos Healthcare disability assessment questions

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http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=37e_1358638033

staz

Just like sicknotethefirst another unsatisfied poster.

Posted this 10th Jan first day you opened this thread might I add.

staz wrote: »

In terms of an aid or appliance for mobilising, what is considered to be the definition of medically reasonable. For example a consultant prescribed said person a wheelchair for long distances, from assessment was deemed that wheelchair can be used to mobilise short distances through working day. This will compromise said persons condition making them unable to carry out tasks that they can currently do down the line due to the effect it will have on their leg strength. Is this medically reasonable?

Also if deemed to use a chair to mobilise around a work environment why does the ability to get up or down 2 steps go back to them using crutches or other aid? Surely the same aid should be considered as a wheelchair user can not get up 2 steps and even if they can walking they need to be able to get the chair up the steps as well.

Also reposted a shortened version on the 15th Jan as still no reply.

As sicknotethefirst rightly said your last response was to a question posted on the 18th. I do not see why you would require more than 11 days to answer my questions asked as they surely are straight forward in terms of all Atos assessors should be trained to carry out the assessment with regards to the questions in the exact same way.

Maybe I'll be lucky third time around and actually get a response.

Atos_Healthcare_representative

JS477 wrote: »

The police seem to be able to do it very easily have have done for many years so why can't you.

Who has the contract for supplying audio recording machines to the DWP?

Given that the DWP has not put in place a policy for universal recording of assessments with recording equipment set up as standard in every site, the circumstances are different to the police. We can’t cover suppliers’ details on the forum, but just to reiterate, we are happy to try and accommodate customer requests for audio recording. Whilst we can’t get away from the fact that our kit has to be mobile and transported to different locations, we now have more kit available to us and we are working hard to get on top of current requests.

halight

Atos_Healthcare_company_representative wrote: »

Given that the DWP has not put in place a policy for universal recording of assessments with recording equipment set up as standard in every site, the circumstances are different to the police. We can’t cover suppliers’ details on the forum, but just to reiterate, we are happy to try and accommodate customer requests for audio recording. Whilst we can’t get away from the fact that our kit has to be mobile and transported to different locations, we now have more kit available to us and we are working hard to get on top of current requests.

So In short you are saying that people who see your HCP do not have the right for there medical to be recorded ?

If you did we did have that right then every room that you use to carry out these medicals would have a recorder for recording the "customers" medical.

miduck

sicknotethefirst wrote: »

I posted this 14-01-2013, 11:51 AM

2 Questions please.

Your opinion on Q1

Question 1
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.

You opinion on the Q2

Question 2
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.


JS477 Posted his question below 18-01-2013, 3:37 PM

Why do Atos deliberately overbook processing slots leading to disabled people having to wait for very long times in ill-equiped waiting rooms?

How much time does the rep need to answer a question???? 7 days is plenty even taking into account all the others he/she has missed


Nothing personal JS477 :beer:

I guess your questions are not being answered because they are not within the remit of the representative's role. Hopefully these comments will help:

Q1 - the ATOS rep is not medically qualified, hence they cannot answer your question. If you are not happy with the assessment outcome, you can make a complaint, both to ATOS and the DWP. The complaint process is detailed on each of their websites. You will not find details of a nurse on the GMC website, the GMC holds a register of doctors only.

Q2 - this thread is for answers to questions, not to comment on your opinions. If you believe the DWP are erring in their interpretation of the DPA, you should make a complaint to the ICO.

sicknotethefirst

miduck wrote: »

I guess your questions are not being answered because they are not within the remit of the representative's role. Hopefully these comments will help:

Q1 - the ATOS rep is not medically qualified, hence they cannot answer your question. If you are not happy with the assessment outcome, you can make a complaint, both to ATOS and the DWP. The complaint process is detailed on each of their websites. You will not find details of a nurse on the GMC website, the GMC holds a register of doctors only.

Q2 - this thread is for answers to questions, not to comment on your opinions. If you believe the DWP are erring in their interpretation of the DPA, you should make a complaint to the ICO.

I'm not asking a question about my health? I'm asking what is meant by "The level of disability is unclear" basically why is it unclear and what exactly are we suppose to send them? to make it clear!

JS477

Atos_Healthcare_company_representative wrote: »

Given that the DWP has not put in place a policy for universal recording of assessments with recording equipment set up as standard in every site, the circumstances are different to the police.

It's well known that Atos will try all sorts of delaying tactics viz. broken machines, "HCPs unable to operate these simple machines etc etc so as to force the claimant to have an unrecorded WCA.

Atos_Healthcare_company_representative wrote: »

We can’t cover suppliers’ details on the forum

Why it's public knowledge what it is. Could it be that he model of the machines Atos use it's the NEAL 9102 DUAL CD AUDIO INTERVIEW RECORDER



See Here

miduck

sicknotethefirst wrote: »

I'm not asking a question about my health? I'm asking what is meant by "The level of disability is unclear" basically why is it unclear and what exactly are we suppose to send them? to make it clear!

You asked why the HCP wrote that on your report. The meaning of it is clear, the reason why they wrote it on your report can only be given with reference specifically to your claim.

sicknotethefirst

miduck wrote: »

You asked why the HCP wrote that on your report. The meaning of it is clear, the reason why they wrote it on your report can only be given with reference specifically to your claim.

I'm not going to argue the small print and I still do not know why they can not answer a simple question? as already said on here so many times 'Why are they on here' all they are going to do is bring this forum down to their level which is below the gutter.

sicknotethefirst

JS477 wrote: »

It's well known that Atos will try all sorts of delaying tactics viz. broken machines, "HCPs unable to operate these simple machines etc etc so as to force the claimant to have an unrecorded WCA.


Why it's public knowledge what it is. Could it be that he model of the machines Atos use it's the NEAL 9102 DUAL CD AUDIO INTERVIEW RECORDER



See Here

In reply to your question I can confirm currently that there are 11 recording devices used on
the DWP Medical Services Contract, these devices were manufactured and supplied by Neal
PLC which is part of the Canford Group. The recording device currently used by the Contractor
is the Neal 9102 Dual CD Audio Interview Recorder, and initially purchased for use by Atos
Healthcare in conducting the Audio Recording of Work Capability Assessments (WCA) Pilot
scheme at Newcastle Medical Assessment Centre, that was conducted in April to June 2011,
and currently at any MAC where there is a need to record a WCA. The cost per device of the
11 Neal 9102 devices was £1400 + VAT
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,


DWP Central FoI Team