esa are there any fair medicals

seven-day-weekend

Murphybear wrote: »

I have filled out 2 ESA50s. The first one I was called for an assessment. Brand new purpose built centre with parking a few feet from entrance, all on ground floor. I wasn't kept waiting, and was not observed while I was waiting (no sign of cameras, reception desk out of line of sight of waiting area and person walked ahead of me, not behind).

I was in the room for 1 hour and 5 minutes with a qualified nurse. She listened to everything I said and skipped most of the physical exam as I had recently had surgery. After the many articles I had read on Atos I was pleasantly surprised.

The arrears of my ESA money appeared in my bank account on Friday and I received a letter on the Saturday confirming I had been awarded ESA and placed in the WRAG. I got a copy of the report to compare with the assessment and it was, as far as I can tell, completely accurate.

About 9 months later I received another ESA50 to complete. I took time to complete it and I explained in great detail how my various medical conditions affected me with respect to the descriptors. There was nothing I left out, it was a work of art!

I had a letter 2 weeks later confirming my ESA in the WRAG, no face to face was needed. That was nearly a year ago.

I am due to retire in 18 months, maybe that had something to do with it but I think it is important to let people know that not everyone has a negative experience. I confirm what Nannytone said, it is usually only the people who have a bad experience that bother to write about it.

:A

Good to hear of a positive experience.

My husband has not had an ESA medical, but he has had three for Incapacity Benefit and they have all been conducted fairly.

Also I will never understand this 'spied on' business. I always maintain that it doesn't matter how often someone 'spies', because if you can't do something they won't see you doing it. I remember someone on here saying they had marked her down because they said she could use public transport....she had gone to the assessment on public transport!

ineed

I would echo those saying they had good experiences and its usually the bad experiences that are posted about (naturally because people who have had a bad experience may need help or wish to vent). I had a change over from IB and didn't need a face to face assessment, I think because I sent in medical evidence and things and I did fill in the form thoroughly. I was placed in support group.

I don't think taking the advice to look scruffy or dress oddly would do you much good, you need to stick to facts. Good luck with your appeal.

nannytone_2

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Good to hear of a positive experience.

My husband has not had an ESA medical, but he has had three for Incapacity Benefit and they have all been conducted fairly.

Also I will never understand this 'spied on' business. I always maintain that it doesn't matter how often someone 'spies', because if you can't do something they won't see you doing it. I remember someone on here saying they had marked her down because they said she could use public transport....she had gone to the assessment on public transport!

though i suppose that anyone that has an assessment for disability/sickness benefits will consider has been 'conducted fairly' if they pass!

Raksha

'Within the limitations of the system' being the key phrase...

rogerblack

Raksha wrote: »

'Within the limitations of the system' being the key phrase...

To a degree - yes.
However - there is little else that could be done.
To get a realistic appraisal of how I am, someone would need to follow me around for a week or three.

thundersprite

thanks its good to here there are fair medicals and good experiances

the one until last time have always been fab but this one and the last one have been nothing but a nightmare but glad there are good experiances for others

schrodie

jacques_chirac wrote: »

You get liars in every walk of life I'm afraid.

These liars are getting paid about £100million of taxpayer money a year and costing the taxpayer about £60million is substandard WCAs!

They've also been caught out HERE

rogerblack

schrodie wrote: »

They've also been caught out HERE

If this is true - that the number of assessment centres has dropped significantly since them winning the bid - then this is also a failure of government to write a contract with appropriate performance metrics.