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HELP: 2 Visits to ATOS no women DR avail

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I went for my ESA medical at ATOS and overheard the manager telling the receptionist that my file stated female DR only. I had previously requested a female dr and attended this new assessment centre miles away from my home as the previous centre had none available. The receptionist not only lied about the conversation but reported the following- none where available that day. Secondly, women dr's are on a rota. Thirdly, it did not indicate that I requested a women dr on the computer and fourthly, I must have been mistaken that it was arranged from the previous assessment centre or Atos when I called to confirm this. To make the situation worse, I was informed that if I felt uncomfortable, the receptionist could sit in my assessment. I asked for a telephone number to contact Atos complaints but the number available is not longer for complaints. Has anyone else come up against this? I have been left to ring Atos myself to arrange an appointment which may effect my benefit claim. I have numerous health conditions and also suffer from excessive noise and drug nuisance from neighbours; so attending unnecessary appointments is exhausting and stressful. The last time I went for an Atos assessment they denied my diagnosis but the report stated that I had a speech impediment - if you heard me you would tell that I have a regional English dialect. I need to complain any thoughts.

Comments

  • isolation
    isolation Posts: 120 Forumite
    Sorry to hear of your problems, it sounds very stressful for you - I would suggest that you put your complaint in writing - To save your postage costs and to ensure proof of sending, I would recommend email -> custrelations@atoshealthcare.com

    I would imagine the first tier of complaint will try to put you off and deny responsibility. If you are not happy with their response, ask for it to be escalated to the second tier. If you are still unhappy, ask for it to be submitted to their independent tier (the only one which seems to actually look at problems fairly in my experience).

    A copy of ATOS Healthcare's complaints procedure is here:-
    http://dwpnegligence.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/atos-complaints-procedure/

    I found that it is also worthwhile going to see your MP about such problems (or emailing them if you are unable to get to a surgery).

    Best wishes,
    Dee
    http://dwpnegligence.wordpress.com
  • Is there a specific reason for requiring a female doctor - for instance, is it due to your religion? You cannot decline an assessment with a male doctor without a valid reason. Personal preference or embarrassment is not a valid reason.

    My main thought is that you need to focus on getting through the WCA process. Complaining to ATOS will distract you from doing this.
  • sisser00 wrote: »
    I went for my ESA medical at ATOS and overheard the manager telling the receptionist that my file stated female DR only. I had previously requested a female dr and attended this new assessment centre miles away from my home as the previous centre had none available. The receptionist not only lied about the conversation but reported the following- none where available that day. Secondly, women dr's are on a rota. Thirdly, it did not indicate that I requested a women dr on the computer and fourthly, I must have been mistaken that it was arranged from the previous assessment centre or Atos when I called to confirm this. To make the situation worse, I was informed that if I felt uncomfortable, the receptionist could sit in my assessment. I asked for a telephone number to contact Atos complaints but the number available is not longer for complaints. Has anyone else come up against this? I have been left to ring Atos myself to arrange an appointment which may effect my benefit claim. I have numerous health conditions and also suffer from excessive noise and drug nuisance from neighbours; so attending unnecessary appointments is exhausting and stressful. The last time I went for an Atos assessment they denied my diagnosis but the report stated that I had a speech impediment - if you heard me you would tell that I have a regional English dialect. I need to complain any thoughts.

    - did you complete the medical or refuse [without just cause] the medical ?
    - any promise made by ATOS even for SH cases such as yours are always prefixed by the word 'endeavour'

    We will 'endeavour' to find a centre with ground floor access
    We will 'endeavour' to arrange a recorded interview
    We will 'endeavour' to do something but will do the opposite because we only agreed to try

    sisser00, you must complete the arranged assessment failure to do so usually always ends in tears, they simply stop your benefit for refusal to complete.
    Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ
  • gardenia101
    gardenia101 Posts: 580 Forumite
    isolation wrote: »

    No advice to post, but after having just read through your entire blog Dee, I am utterly speechless. You are so correct in saying that many (or most) people would have given up long ago given the appalling treatment your partner & you have received.

    I hope it all resolves soon & you get a fair outcome. Best wishes.
    And I find that looking back at you gives a better view, a better view...
  • isolation
    isolation Posts: 120 Forumite
    No advice to post, but after having just read through your entire blog Dee, I am utterly speechless. You are so correct in saying that many (or most) people would have given up long ago given the appalling treatment your partner & you have received.

    I hope it all resolves soon & you get a fair outcome. Best wishes.

    Many thanks for your message and not meaning to hijack a different thread but it was resolved, the tribunal made the decision in her favour very quickly.

    Sadly I don't feel the outcome was fair as it put her through a massive amount of stress which seriously affected her physical and mental health condition for well over a year. Sadly it shows just how unaccountable both ATOS and the DWP are in such matters, they can apologise, but that hardly makes up for their appalling conduct which was easily avoidable on many occasions. I feel that a fair outcome would be serious disciplinary action again the employees responsible... but that is never going to happen... and that is why such cases happen and will end up being repeated to others in a similar position.

    Thanks again,
    Dee
    http://dwpnegligence.wordpress.com
  • i`m sorry but if you find it stressful(i dont doubt that)and they offered to have a female sit in on the assessment (its not a medical) then you really havent helped the situation
    sorry if that sounds harsh but its the way of the world
  • sisser00
    sisser00 Posts: 27 Forumite
    Hi, I received a letter from Atos last week apologising for the attitude of their staff member. Furthermore, an appointment has been made for me to see a Women Dr.
    I know ATOS endeavour to have a women DR, but if you don't ask you dont get. Plus the receptionist was from an agency, no medical training whatsoever. Its bad enough having someone you don't know touching you but why would I want someone else in the room to support the GP to send me back to work - when my problems emanate from inside.
    Also, in this day and age I am surprised women Dr's are scarce in Atos considering women out number men in this society 3 fold..... please Atos needs to get itself together
  • Dogger69
    Dogger69 Posts: 1,183 Forumite
    sisser00 wrote: »
    Also, in this day and age I am surprised women Dr's are scarce in Atos considering women out number men in this society 3 fold..... please Atos needs to get itself together

    They don't - in the UK the split is roughly 50/50, there are marginally more women.

    In this respect, ATOS does not need to get itself together. As you have already been told there is no entitlement to see a doctor of the same sex - they have gone above and beyond to accommodate your request.
  • sisser00 wrote: »
    Hi, I received a letter from Atos last week apologising for the attitude of their staff member. Furthermore, an appointment has been made for me to see a Women Dr.
    I know ATOS endeavour to have a women DR, but if you don't ask you dont get. Plus the receptionist was from an agency, no medical training whatsoever. Its bad enough having someone you don't know touching you but why would I want someone else in the room to support the GP to send me back to work - when my problems emanate from inside.
    Also, in this day and age I am surprised women Dr's are scarce in Atos considering women out number men in this society 3 fold..... please Atos needs to get itself together

    why would the receptionist need medical training?after all you were going for an ASSESSMENT not a medical
    as for your last comment,sorry but thats just rubbish
    as i said earlier i dont doubt you have problems,i suspect you really arent doing much to help them though if this is your attitude
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