ATOS medical

manormachine

Hi all,
I've been on contribution based ESA for about 18 months. I scored nil points at my first assessment over a year ago, but was awarded 18 points at my Tribunal. Since then I've been receiving my ESA without having to submit medical certificates. Early in January I was sent a medical questionnaire which I duly filled in and returned. I suffer from arthritis in my spine, knees and elbows. On the 31st if January I got a letter from the medical support services (ATOS) to say I would need to undergo a face-to-face examination. Over the next 3 weeks I was constantly telephoned by ATOS. I never spoke to them...assuming it was to arrange a suitable date.
All of a sudden....2 weeks ago...the calls stopped and I haven't heard a thing since!
Could this be in any connected to the recent developments with WCA????

rogerblack

My understanding is no.
Have you had a letter from ATOS about making an appointment?
It is not impossible that ATOS will - after looking at your file have reconsidered and concluded that you are likely entitled to ESA, and passed your file back to the DWP.

Morglin

Give ATOS or the DWP office that was dealing with your review a ring.

One or both might know what's happening.

Lin

manormachine

Hi...thanks for the reply!
Yeah...got a letter dated 31/01/2014 from the medical support services stating that they had been asked by the ssa to carry out a medical assessment.
I even stated on my ESA50 which I returned on the 27/01/2014 that my condition had not improved as I suffer from a degenerative disease.
I guess it's another long appeal process again!

manormachine

Morglin wrote: »

Give ATOS or the DWP office that was dealing with your review a ring.

One or both might know what's happening.

Lin

Thanks Lin....tried that too! It's impossible to get through on the phone. I guess they'll write eventually.

tomtontom

I'll bite - why did you not answer the phone? Surely attending the assessment would be less hassle than having to appeal?

manormachine

tomtontom wrote: »

I'll bite - why did you not answer the phone? Surely attending the assessment would be less hassle than having to appeal?

Well....On the 2 previous occasions when an ATOS "professional" had spoken with me on the phone, I was faced with a barrage of questions and felt that I was being manipulated somewhat. The way their letter is worded, is that I should contact them on a phone number provided or they will simply arrange an appointment and inform me of the date when I should attend.
I was given advice before NOT to discuss anything over the phone!

Poppie68

manormachine wrote: »

Well....On the 2 previous occasions when an ATOS "professional" had spoken with me on the phone, I was faced with a barrage of questions and felt that I was being manipulated somewhat. The way their letter is worded, is that I should contact them on a phone number provided or they will simply arrange an appointment and inform me of the date when I should attend.
I was given advice before NOT to discuss anything over the phone!

You say in your first post that they kept calling but you ignored their calls as you assumed they were calling to make an appointment....so surely you can assume they wouldn't be asking a'barrage' of questions, just wanted you to make an appointment?
As tomtontom says, easier than an appeal.

manormachine

Poppie68 wrote: »

You say in your first post that they kept calling but you ignored their calls as you assumed they were calling to make an appointment....so surely you can assume they wouldn't be asking a'barrage' of questions, just wanted you to make an appointment?
As tomtontom says, easier than an appeal.

Ah! Apologies....my reference to an appeal would be the result of another medical with an ATOS healthcare professional and scoring zero points again.
Perhaps it's just me....but I really don't want to discuss anything by telephone.

nannytone_2

when ATOS phoned me to make an appointment for a medical they asked no wuestions other than what time and date was most suitable for me!

help4help2013

nannytone wrote: »

when ATOS phoned me to make an appointment for a medical they asked no wuestions other than what time and date was most suitable for me!

i have had a few people who have been asked questions on the phone before by ATOS about there conditions before arranging a medical so it does happen to some people not all