Atos Assessments ESA

[eighthobstruction]

Here is some news from last week....please note David Johnson is at this moment going through the ESA50 process again (right this moment)....

I do not intend this as a contraversial thread ....please ff pull it if it doesn't meet criteria for a clean forum...

http://disabilitynewsservice.com/2013/04/atos-pays-out-to-man-left-in-pain-and-distress-by-assessment/

[amateur51]

What a story. ATOS really does not seem to be fit to undertake these assessments.

I filled out and returned ATOS' reassessment form three weeks ago and have not heard anything from them, no acknowledgement, no estimation of when I'll hear. My original two assessments led to my being being given welfare benefits 'indefinitely' which has led me to believe that ATOS is just going through the motions with this reassessment. But the longer the process takes, the more anxious and fed-up I feel. Concentration has become difficult again and I can feel myself sliding back into a depressed episode, which I haven't had for several years.

Having designed and run large-scale assessment processes myself I know that it is both possible and desirable to keep 'customers' informed about where they are in the process. No wonder I and many others feel badly let down :sadface:

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

atos some background

it does raise the issue of why we use this outsourced approach to handle this ..... the most expert people on disability are people with disabilities, why not have citizens panels of such individuals to conduct such assessments; make it a human and sensitive process and take the politics away from it


ditto with other welfare issues i would suggest

[Pabmusic]

I had to go for an Atos assessment before I could return to work after having had a stroke in 2008. It was not an easy journey to the centre of Birmingham, but I was on time. The assessor was late by about 20 minutes and when we started, she referred to my case-notes and said, "Now you have had an accident, Mr Pab - when was that?". That soured the atmosphere from the start.

I suppose anyone can make a mistake, but this was a nurse used to reading medical notes and who was expecting to interview me.

[eighthobstruction]

If any body ever requires some advice on Atos/ESA50 process please PM me....

[Barbirollians]

It is no coincidence that the government abolished legal aid for welfare benefits advice last week - just as it became more important than ever.

[eighthobstruction]

Yes, yes B, I was thinking that....also means CAB will be an even more overworked tool....

....>>> government abolished legal aid for welfare benefits advice last week<<<....that is correct ??....is that really the case...??

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21668005

[MrGongGong]

If any body ever requires some advice on Atos/ESA50 process please PM me....

Thanks for that
I might need some advice on it when it comes round :ok:

[Flosshilde]

It does seem rather bizarre that the organisation responsible for assessing people with disabilities for their fitness to work is exempt from ensuring that their premises are accessible to people with disabilities. Perhaps it's part of the assessment process? - if you can get to the assessment centre you're for for work?

[eighthobstruction]

Sure GG....happy to

>>>>A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "We need to make sure taxpayers' money is not spent resolving too many disputes in court, when there are quicker, cheaper and less stressful options available.

"At £2bn a year we have one of the most expensive legal aid systems in the world, and it's now costing taxpayers too much at time when resources are not limitless.

"We had to make some difficult decisions, and it was not a process we embarked on lightly, but we have safeguarded legal aid to ensure lawyers are there for those who really need them."<<<< But Vee Vill decide who needs it....!!

>>>>quicker, cheaper and less stressful options available<<<< Yeah, sure, the DWP will negotiate fairly.....SURE!!!!????

[Barbirollians]

Sure GG....happy to

>>>>A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "We need to make sure taxpayers' money is not spent resolving too many disputes in court, when there are quicker, cheaper and less stressful options available.

"At £2bn a year we have one of the most expensive legal aid systems in the world, and it's now costing taxpayers too much at time when resources are not limitless.

"We had to make some difficult decisions, and it was not a process we embarked on lightly, but we have safeguarded legal aid to ensure lawyers are there for those who really need them."<<<< But Vee Vill decide who needs it....!!

>>>>quicker, cheaper and less stressful options available<<<< Yeah, sure, the DWP will negotiate fairly.....SURE!!!!????

Welfare benefits advice may remain available for appeals to the Upper Tribunal but that is likely to be little use if you have had no assistance below .

[eighthobstruction]

Welfare benefits advice may remain available for appeals to the Upper Tribunal but that is likely to be little use if you have had no assistance below .

I am afraid you will be right B....already the inarticulate, lacking insight, and knowledge plus persistence....are at an extreme disadvantage....

[aeolium]

The major impact of the removal of civil legal aid will I think be on family law disputes, e.g. re divorce and child custody issues. CABs may well still be able to help with disability benefit appeals (as they have been heavily instrumental in helping to get ATOS assessments overturned in many cases) though of course they will be even more overstretched. But they are very unlikely to be able to assist - except in basic information and advice - with family law issues.

[eighthobstruction]

Certainly in my area CAB will give all help possible with help re info', form filling and strategy....but never give advocacy at actual face to face assessments and Tribunals....though they may be able in some cases to go to assessments as 'friend' or to witness assessments....

[jayne lee wilson]

I was an early victim of this (after major brain surgery!) The er, "Doctor" had the "decency" to visit me at home.... took me 6 weeks to get hold of his record of the event, 30 pages of Q&As I scarcely recognised... many "inaccuracies" (others might call them target-induced lies).

I appealed... time passed...
They wrote to me saying they would consult my GP for info etc...
More time passed...
Then I was told the appeal was rejected, and that they had asked my doctors for supporting evidence but had received no reply! This was when our surgery was in meltdown during a move to new premises, with only locums available. But the appeals committee still took their decision without telling me about all that.

I'm lucky. I can get by on investment income and don't have to claim to survive. But the present Atos anti-system is much worse.
My postsurgical physical symptoms (headaches, rightsided weakness) are probably worse now too, but I wouldn't dream of claiming unless I had to.

I'm a model independent coalition citizen aren't I? Clegg, Cams & Ozzy, bow down!