Ask Atos Healthcare disability assessment questions

JS477

Atos_Healthcare_company_representative wrote: »

JS477, DWP set the timescales for a response from GPs at 15 calendar days. We don’t attempt to arrange an assessment during that period, but we aren’t able to allow any more time. We are not incentivised to bring people in for a face to face assessment and we avoid doing it if it is not necessary.

So a GP is allowed 15 calendar days to respond to an ESA113 if that is you even send one out. Let's just hope the GP isn't on holiday!! Also how many GPs work weekends, how very crafty of [STRIKE]Atos[/STRIKE] the DWP to use calendar days rather than working days!

So for example if after 10 calendar days the GP hasn't returned the ESA113 do you contact the GP to remind them of their statutory obligation or to find out if they're away from their surgery for whatever reason?

Or do you wait the 15 calendar days then arrange a F2F assessment then maybe phone the GP to find out where the ESA113 is? Although as has been said it may not always be in Atos's best interest to get the opinion of a medically qualified person prior to an assessment being arranged or even after one has been arranged!

Surely the incentive to drag sick and disabled people in for a F2F assessment sometimes requiring them to travel many miles is......money!!!!! Something Atos is making in bucket loads whilst at the same time costing the taxpayer bucket loads in successful appeals against sub-standard WCAs.

Worthless_Disabled_Person

If any one really wants the truth about ATOS and/or any help with dealing with them have a look at a web site set up specifically to help people deal with them.

The site is a uk site and is called benefitsandwork

dori2o

ATOS Rep,

3 questions.

1) Why do so many of your HCP's LIE/Misrepresent the truth on the WCA report?

2) Is this the reason why so many HCP's are against the recording of the assessment by the claimant themselves?

3) If that is not the case, why do many HCP's refuse to continue with assessments if they realise they are being recorded?

dori2o

Worthless_Disabled_Person wrote: »

If any one really wants the truth about ATOS and/or any help with dealing with them have a look at a web site set up specifically to help people deal with them.

The site is a uk site and is called benefitsandwork

Don't advertise the site too much.

ATOS will have it shut down like they have many other websites, forums and facebook pages?

ATOS Rep, please tell us why ATOS are so keen to close these websites down? Could they be exposing the truth a little too much for your Company's liking?

schrodie

One of the excuses given for the high level of successful appeals against these sub standard WCAs is that the claimant submits clinical evidence to the appeals panel.

However it's clear that Atos could get this evidence themselves either prior to an assessment request being issued (via an ESA113) or prior to an assessment taking place (after an ESA113 has arrived) but for some reason Atos decide not to do this!!

I wonder why that is!!

schrodie

Worthless_Disabled_Person wrote: »

If any one really wants the truth about ATOS and/or any help with dealing with them have a look at a web site set up specifically to help people deal with them.

The site is a uk site and is called benefitsandwork

There are many many sites out there on the internet that exposes Atos for what it is. Even last week in Parliament our own MPs did a massive expose on Atos's inhumane treatment of the sick and disabled and I urge everyone to read the Hansard report about it. Youtube is also full of videos about them as well.

dori2o

Final question.

How is it possible for ATOS to declare a person Unfit for work during a Occupational Health Assessment for any of the Government departments they provide the service to (including the staff at DWP), and then find the same person Fit for Work under the WCA?

It seems to me you are dipping your fingers into too many pies. It is certainly a conflict of interest.

dori2o

schrodie wrote: »

One of the excuses given for the high level of successful appeals against these sub standard WCAs is that the claimant submits clinical evidence to the appeals panel.

However it's clear that Atos could get this evidence themselves either prior to an assessment request being issued (via an ESA113) or prior to an assessment taking place (after an ESA113 has arrived) but for some reason Atos decide not to do this!!

I wonder why that is!!

Isn't it right that the ESA claim form advises NOT to send any additional information?

Surely if the Tribunals are reversing decisions based on medical evidence it wiould be prudent for the ESA claim form to ask for it, and for the DWP/ATOS to ensure that the HCP performing the WCA has read and understood the information.

dori2o

schrodie wrote: »

There are many many sites out there on the internet that exposes Atos for what it is. Even last week in Parliament our own MPs did a massive expose on Atos's inhumane treatment of the sick and disabled and I urge everyone to read the Hansard report about it. Youtube is also full of videos about them as well.

Do you know which MP's were involved and on which day this debate took place? I'd like to read that.

mazza111

http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/21035307

The full debate Dori