ATOS medical today, or maybe not

cyclonebri1

Medical for IB sheduled today for 10:50 asked to arrive 10mins early so there with usual apprehension at 10:30.

Told very apologetically that appointments where running at least an hour late and that there were quite a few in the waiting room.

Asked why they could not have phoned to delay, and was told they were just doing that, :cool:???????????????

Offered 3 options, I could cancel and rearrange, take a walk for an hour:eek:, or sit and wait.
Opted for No3 for obvious reasons.

Waited 1 hour and 5 mins until the receptionist called me to the desk
Again very apologetic and said they had just taken a look at my notes and had decided that I needed to see a doctor.

Well I'm not normally too sarcastic but I explained that that's what I thought I was there for.

I was wrong, they only had "health care professionals" on today, nurses, according to the receptionist

New appointment booked for 3 weeks time:mad::mad::mad:

I did keep my cool, just, but it's that word, just, and the use of the word proffessional, (yes I know there's only 1 f in professional), that got to me, they had my forms for months and only looked after they had me waiting on site for over an hour

If these jokers worked in the private sector they wouldn't do

Dunroamin

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Medical for IB sheduled today for 10:50 asked to arrive 10mins early so there with usual apprehension at 10:30.

Told very apologetically that appointments where running at least an hour late and that there were quite a few in the waiting room.

Asked why they could not have phoned to delay, and was told they were just doing that, :cool:???????????????

Offered 3 options, I could cancel and rearrange, take a walk for an hour:eek:, or sit and wait.
Opted for No3 for obvious reasons.

Waited 1 hour and 5 mins until the receptionist called me to the desk
Again very apologetic and said they had just taken a look at my notes and had decided that I needed to see a doctor.

Well I'm not normally too sarcastic but I explained that that's what I thought I was there for.

I was wrong, they only had "health care professionals" on today, nurses, according to the receptionist

New appointment booked for 3 weeks time:mad::mad::mad:

I did keep my cool, just, but it's that word, just, and the use of the word proffessional, (yes I know there's only 1 f in professional), that got to me, they had my forms for months and only looked after they had me waiting on site for over an hour

If these jokers worked in the private sector they wouldn't do

I thought that one of the things that people objected to about ATOS is that they are private sector.

osdset

Any HCP should be able to conduct the assessment as it's not a medical examination so whether a doctor was present or not is immaterial.
More smoke and mirrors by ATOS methinks.

Horseunderwater

Actually not any HCP can do any WCA - there are certain conditions, both physical and mental that need a Doctor to conduct them. Mine is one such case. But this should have been done prior to the OP going there so probably a smoke situation this time.

cyclonebri1

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Actually not any HCP can do any WCA - there are certain conditions, both physical and mental that need a Doctor to conduct them. Mine is one such case. But this should have been done prior to the OP going there so probably a smoke situation this time.

This was the thing that annoyed me, it was pretty clear that my paperwork simply hadn't been looked at prior to my scheduled appointment time, strange considering I attended the same medical 3 years ago and was seen by a doctor who basically signed me off for the duration.

My case too is complicated but very well documented due to hospital admissions etc I can't believe they hadn't thumbed through this, I even sent them a CD of the x ray and scans I had done. (before anyone asks I had an operation under private insurance, I was charged a tenner for a copy of the scans etc to be sent to me for my GP)


Yes I realise my confusion re ATOS being a private sector company, it was simply a comment I made in frustration at the ineptitude of whoever was in ultimately in charge.

Not to worry, and in fairness the receptionist couldn't apologise enough, it wasn't her fault and she was obviously as embarrassed about the issue as I was let's say "peeved"

Horseunderwater

You have my sympathy on this one - my 1st got cancelled on the day as they had sent someone doing mine home as she had to go and visit someone in hospital. But as I had not given them my mobile number and I was not at home when they rang - I drove all the way there on the day and found out when I got there. Gave me another there and then and that too got cancelled - 3rd time lucky and I passed.

schrodie

You would hope that the £108.9 million of taxpayers money atos received in 2012-13 would make them do their jobs properly!

osdset

schrodie wrote: »

You would hope that the £108.9 million of taxpayers money atos received in 2012-13 would make them do their jobs properly!

They are doing their jobs properly, they are facilitating the denial of benefits to large swathes of claimants, which is precisely what they were contracted to do.

schrodie

osdset wrote: »

They are doing their jobs properly, they are facilitating the denial of benefits to large swathes of claimants, which is precisely what they were contracted to do.

Yes Atos work to targets given to them from the DWP to find people fit for work and they can't even get that right as 40% of those who appeal WCA decisions are successful! Again the cost of these appeals ~£50million is paid for by the taxpayer. Atos walk away not only incompetent and cruel but laughing all the way to the bank.

FWIW I was of course referring to Atos so called "healthcare professionals" following their own Medical Services Handbook.

cyclonebri1

[QUOTE=osdset;61240503_They are doing their jobs properly,they are facilitating the denial of benefits to large swathes of claimants, which is precisely what they were contracted to do.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, they aren't, unless you mean there is subtifuge and they are trying to demoralise all who claim?, the maybe you are right.

But lets keep this serious, they should be carrying out a professional operation, they promise to do that in their mission statement, it's plastered in posters all over their waiting rooms, I should know, I was starring at it for an hour.

I'm not quite sure what you were trying to say with your post but all I, (1 of the swathe you suggest), wants is to be treated in a fair and proper way, I don't spit and swear at authority, but I don't expect them to take the pi"s out of me either.:p