Atos assessment appointment

UKaiser

Hi all, I feel angry at the minute having sat down earleir and worked out what it will cost me in pain, time and money to attend the Atos assessment centre in Boston an dneed advice on how to ask them to change the appointment.

Briefly I have chronic disc degeneration in lumber region leaving me in pain whether it be standing, siting ect. To top it of last week i tripped over in the car park and have knackered my shoulder up (rotator cuff) extreme pain worse than back (i thought I would never experience that!) so cant drive even if I could afford the fuel and the only other person I know with a car is working that day.

Basicly the long story short is living in rural Lincolnshire im looking at nearly 6 hour journey on public transport (4 trains 2 buses) at a cost of £38.60 and this on the last working day (friday and peak time!) before I am due to be paid my benefit again the following monday!

So it seems Atos have picked the most expensive day to travel on public transport and despite requesting an assessment close to home due to the poor tranpsort links in rural lincolnshire they have picked a town I cannot easily get to without going through major hubs!!


Anyway sorry to go on I tried to make it as brief as possible, I have been ill the last few weeks and only just found the strength to sort this out today, my appointment is in 12 days and Im not sure what to do dont like talking on the phone should I write to Atos and explain the above somehow??

onetomany

ring them hun and explain they might be able to sent someone to ur home

saving_pennies

If you prefer you could email them. Their contact details (free phone and email) can be found at the bottom of this page: http://www.atoshealthcare.com/servic...ity_assessment

I really hope ATOS can see sense and either allow you to have your assessment at a nearer centre or allow you a home visit.

Might be worth speaking with your GP to get a letter to explain why making the long journey would have a huge impact on your health. Also, if you request a home visit you will need a letter from your GP to support this request.

Best wishes

quilted1

UKaiser wrote: »

Hi all, I feel angry at the minute having sat down earleir and worked out what it will cost me in pain, time and money to attend the Atos assessment centre in Boston an dneed advice on how to ask them to change the appointment.

Briefly I have chronic disc degeneration in lumber region leaving me in pain whether it be standing, siting ect. To top it of last week i tripped over in the car park and have knackered my shoulder up (rotator cuff) extreme pain worse than back (i thought I would never experience that!) so cant drive even if I could afford the fuel and the only other person I know with a car is working that day.

Basicly the long story short is living in rural Lincolnshire im looking at nearly 6 hour journey on public transport (4 trains 2 buses) at a cost of £38.60 and this on the last working day (friday and peak time!) before I am due to be paid my benefit again the following monday!

So it seems Atos have picked the most expensive day to travel on public transport and despite requesting an assessment close to home due to the poor tranpsort links in rural lincolnshire they have picked a town I cannot easily get to without going through major hubs!!


Anyway sorry to go on I tried to make it as brief as possible, I have been ill the last few weeks and only just found the strength to sort this out today, my appointment is in 12 days and Im not sure what to do dont like talking on the phone should I write to Atos and explain the above somehow??

You request a home visit. To do this. Call Atos on phone..Tell them you require a home visit assesment. They will be helpful, there is a procedure to follow that they must adhere to. They may have to move your appointment while they arrange the home visit. So accept any other date they offer over phone for this. They will then tell you to get your GP to send them via fax...a number they will provide for you to give to gp...That you require a home assesment due to your problems. Some GP's charge for this, most do not as they are aware of the stress placed on patients by ATOS. Once your GP faxes them they will write you with a home appointment date for the future.

This also takes out of the equation the fact that if you can plan your journey to Atos centre and arrive safely then you have ticked some of their assesment boxes for them...And catch 22..goes against you.

Don't consider getting a home visit...Get a home visit...Do it.

UKaiser

Hi all thanks for your replys :beer:

So anyway I dont really fancy a home visit would feel to intrusive I dont want anybody in my home like that and quiet frankly im sick of going to my doctor cap in hand :mad: . Quite happy to travel to the next town on the bus but this is a joke its like they chose the worst most scenaro possible, i mean 6 hours on public transport at peak time and on the last working day before I get paid again! Talk about skint I cant afford it let alone want to travel that long!

So I will have to phone up tomorow and say I cant afford it so they are going to have to pay upfront or arrange closer to home. Do you think they will oblige?

edit:

Also having xray on shoulder and arm tomorow doc worried as still in so much pain, doubt ill be driving for a while.

Dogger69

Do they have an assessment centre any closer to you? Would a different time be any easier?

The barrier you have to overcome is a) you have no medical need for a home visit (I understand you don't want this anyway), and b) it's not their fault that you live in a rural location.

Can no one drive you there? Can I ask where you live in Lincs? I'm trying to think which route would need four trains!

UKaiser

Dogger69 wrote: »

Do they have an assessment centre any closer to you? Would a different time be any easier?

The barrier you have to overcome is a) you have no medical need for a home visit (I understand you don't want this anyway), and b) it's not their fault that you live in a rural location.

Can no one drive you there? Can I ask where you live in Lincs? I'm trying to think which route would need four trains!

Yeah well the government started closing all the small town facility's down and now it penalises the unemployed who have to spend there personal allowance on bus fairs just to access crucial services like health care and training. I had to go to AE last week and it cost me £10 on the bus, thats money i dont have man I go tmade redundant a year ago almost.
Its not the fact its a rural location anyway as I will have to travel through 2 towns to get to Boston! To get to Boston from South Lincolnshire you have to go to Pboro by bus, then train from Peterborough changing at Grantham, there is no other public transport link to Boston, no buses. Both those towns have job centres but dont know if they have atos assessments there i suspect Peterborough does its a sizable place.

Anyway, I will have to ring up i just cant afford that expense for bus and trains of £38! thats more than my food money for two weeks. :mad:

Dogger69

UKaiser wrote: »

Yeah well the government started closing all the small town facility's down and now it penalises the unemployed who have to spend there personal allowance on bus fairs just to sign etc.
Its not the fact its a rural location anyway as I will be travelling through 2 towns to get to Boston! To get to Boston from South Lincolnshire you have to go to Pboro by bus, then train from Peterborough there is no other public transport link to Boston, no buses. And the train changes at Grantham, both towns have job centres but dont know if they have atos assessments there i suspect Peterborough does its a sizable place.

Anyway, I will have to ring up i just cant afford that expense £38! thats my food money for two weeks. :mad:

They have an assessment centre at Peterborough - a quick Google search would have told you that. Not sure about Grantham, but if they can't fit you in at Peterborough there are a fair few places you could get a direct train to from there.

ATOS assessments are not done at Jobcentres. Although I think they may both be based in the same complex at Boston?

Saint_Andrew

You should get travel costs paid for by ATOS and getting you there and back. I'd ring them up because when I went for mine the woman on the desk asked me how I got here and if I had to claim.

Please, ring them and ask them if they can move the location. I'm sure there's some in your area.

Parva

Saint_Andrew wrote: »

You should get travel costs paid for by ATOS and getting you there and back. I'd ring them up because when I went for mine the woman on the desk asked me how I got here and if I had to claim.

Please, ring them and ask them if they can move the location. I'm sure there's some in your area.

Playing the devils advocate I would wonder why you didn't want them in your home. If my place were a palace or a tip it wouldn't bother me as I can clearly show that I'm pretty f**ked.

recoverydust

The dilemma you have is that by being able to complete such a journey you may also satisfy ATOS that you are capable of work. You demonstrate both mobility and the ability to sit and stand.
Unless there are other aspects of the assessment where you would score 15 points then you are best sticking to the fact that you are physically unable to undertake such a journey.
Going cap in hand to the GP is a state of mind that is uncomfortable, your GP is there to ensure your health and could reasonably be expected to either assist with getting a home visit or with a much closer venue.
Whilst having someone in your home may feel intrusive, it may be your best option here.
Hope you get it sorted