ATOS Assessment

[Kevmc]

Hello all,

I attended an ATOS WCA with my partner who has been receiving severe disablement allowance since she left school in 1996, the reason for this being she has severe learning difficulties which she was born with. I sat in on the interview with her as she struggles with questions etc.

anyhow in January we received a decision to disallow her SDA benefit and she scored no points, now during the assessment the nurse has stated my partner has no problems whatsoever, so when did a nurse thing come into play and over rule what specialists have diagnosed over the years of which my partner was involved with specialist doctors such as consultants, neurologists, paediatricians etc. at no point has her full medical history been reviewed, she has congenital learning difficulties but the nurse stated she got these problems at school! She was also schooled in a special unit for children with such problems, she has never worked at all, she was not allowed to take English, or maths at school as it was deemed this would be too much for her, even today she struggles massively, she cannot us a computer like I can, she can't remember the task the next day if you were to try and get her to learn it. So how could she go into a work enviroment, she has got these problems through any fault or her own but rather inherited in her genes.

She also takes strong painkillers and anti depressants which as for pain and depression, big the nurse stated in her report there are no side effects from medication, one of the medicines being dihydrocodiene which she takes 8 a day of, this drug is prescribed for severe pain and causes drowsiness and tiredness, infact it makes her fall asleep so then my point again is how can she work if she falls asleep. At no point did the nurse touch on the extent of the problems my partner has with her difficulties.

There is a lot more to this, but we have lodged a complaint with ATOS, AND have our MP involved, people to contact at ATOS are:

brian.pepper@atoshealthcare.net
lisa.coleman@atos.com

complaining to dwp at caxton house, tothill street is useless,

I really hope the Tories don't get back into power and ATOS should be charged with lying and ripping of the tax payers. What is wrong with using our own NHS system for these assessments, it's as if the government is saying we don't trust our nhs doctors etc.

anyone else had similar problems with ATOS lying to DWP?

[john 1963]

Re: ATOS Assessment

I don't think our NHS could cope with the extra workload to be honest, however don't just kick the Tories over this because it was Labour that decided this would be a policy. I am pretty sure though it was the Tories that gave the contract to ATOS. I was lucky because I had a medical report of a highly qualified consultant the DWP never sent me to ATOS, the consultants report was good enough for them.

[Kevmc]

Re: ATOS Assessment

I am now going to request her medical records incase the dwp don't allow her mandatory reconsideration and then we shall have to take it yo appeal, this mandatory reconsideration is a carry on, it's just another way for dwp to stall giving you any benefit while your waiting the result of the mandatory recon. During the mandatory recon, claimants are not allowed any benefit unless they claim JSA. I never thought I would see the day when the government turned it's back on its people especially those in need, and vulnerable.

[Inca]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Can I ask what her 'physical' disability is that requires her to take that hefty a chunk of dihydrocodeine every day,,and at what dose 4 x a day.If they are making her drowsy all the time maybe a chat with her GP may help as there are many painkillers just as effective but don't have the 'drowsy' effect.
Antidepressants are always best taken at bedtime because the most common side effect IS drowsiness and some Drs use this to help with insomnia

[Kevmc]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Hi, she takes 2x30mg tablets 4 times a day, she gas had many many different painkillers over the years, some worked some haven't. She is prescribed these as she suffers extreme back pain, few years ago she also suffered pneumonia and had to have most of her lung removed due to the pneumonia as the most common methods of treatment didn't succeed, she takes her amytriptiline at night but as this drug is used for neuro pain and depression it's a difficult one. Our GP regularly reviews her medication and it's always agreed the current ones are begs for her. Her back pain limits her in what she can do, moving something say such as a dyson gives her pain, on top of this she has very very bad psoriasis which she is now starting tablet therapy and light therapy for. There is also a link between back pain & psoriasis resulting in Arthritis of which she has now to be tested for.

[Kevmc]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Here's 2 links to videos, that ATOS do lie.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22546036

undercover video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkzHxXg0rfQ

[CleverClogs]

Re: ATOS Assessment

I attended an ATOS WCA with my partner who has been receiving severe disablement allowance since she left school in 1996, the reason for this being she has severe learning difficulties which she was born with. I sat in on the interview with her as she struggles with questions etc.

It is a pity that you did not insist on the "assessment" being recorded.

anyhow in January we received a decision to disallow her SDA benefit and she scored no points,

Fancy that.

now during the assessment the nurse has stated my partner has no problems whatsoever, so when did a nurse thing come into play and over rule what specialists have diagnosed over the years of which my partner was involved with specialist doctors such as consultants, neurologists, paediatricians etc. at no point has her full medical history been reviewed, she has congenital learning difficulties but the nurse stated she got these problems at school! She was also schooled in a special unit for children with such problems, she has never worked at all, she was not allowed to take English, or maths at school as it was deemed this would be too much for her, even today she struggles massively, she cannot us a computer like I can, she can't remember the task the next day if you were to try and get her to learn it. So how could she go into a work enviroment, she has got these problems through any fault or her own but rather inherited in her genes.

I believe that Herr Iain Duncan Schmidt would prefer her to die.

She also takes strong painkillers and anti depressants which as for pain and depression, big the nurse stated in her report there are no side effects from medication, one of the medicines being dihydrocodiene which she takes 8 a day of, this drug is prescribed for severe pain and causes drowsiness and tiredness, in fact it makes her fall asleep so then my point again is how can she work if she falls asleep. At no point did the nurse touch on the extent of the problems my partner has with her difficulties.

That alleged nurse was only following her specialised ATOS training in disability denial.

However, the nurse would seem to have been rather unprofessional as her notes and report were not accurate; she should therefore be reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (link) but it may be an idea to check the register first as it has not been wholly unknown for ATOS "nurses" not to be registered.

There is a lot more to this, but we have lodged a complaint with ATOS,

A waste of time, as they are Only Obeying Orders - rather like the guards at Sobibor.

AND have our MP involved,

That might help. Which snollygoster represents you?

I really hope the Tories don't get back into power

I really hope some of the present kakistocracy is put on trial for their crimes against the British people.

and ATOS should be charged with lying and ripping of the tax payers.

No - they should be charged with multiple counts of manslaughter (if not murder) because of all the people who have died as the result of their "assessments".

Read this - http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/ne...-cashaxe-shock

What is wrong with using our own NHS system for these assessments, it's as if the government is saying we don't trust our nhs doctors etc.

The rot started when Labour asked David Fraud, a former merchant banker (and reputed onanist) to look into disability benefits. When Labour refused to accept the daft findings he had produced, Fraud immediately defected to the Tories who got him made a life peer and then, after the Tories had swindled their way into power, "Lord" Fraud was made the Minister for Welfare "Reform".

Quite frankly, he should be hanged by the neck until he is dead.

But painfully.

Stand him on a block of ice and tighten a piano wire noose around his neck.

Then turn on the heating a little.

anyone else had similar problems with ATOS lying to DWP?

Almost everyone who has undergone an ATOS "assessment".

[Kevmc]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Does anyone know of any lawyers etc that specialise in welfare benefits. It feels like we are powerless and our tights as British citizens don't count.

[CleverClogs]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Finding a lawyer would be only the start of the battle, as the present rabble (one can hardly call them a government) abolished Legal Aid for benefits cases.

[Inca]

Re: ATOS Assessment

I take amilitriptiline at night too....for depression,nerve pain and for the 'sedation' effect.
You seem to be 'au fait' with her meds and her Dr.
Did DWP contact her GP?

Im constantly amazed by the way ATOS decide peoples fate....I'm one of the lucky ones I suppose..because I have a 'known variable'illness noone can predict what will happen next (Multiple Sclerosis).......I have just had a wonderful period of 'remission' due solely to a course of very strong and very expensive drugs which,unfortunately,I have built up a tolerance to so have to have a break from them

You have a fight on your hands but don't give up..,,she's lucky to have you fighting her corner

[Kevmc]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Thanks Inca, but I won't be giving up. What ATOS is doing us disgusting, and as for Tories & Lib Dems I think the public won't trust them at the next election. We have now been waiting 34 days got the mandatory reconsideration and heard nothing yet despite chasing them up every 2 days.

[enquirer]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Thanks Inca, but I won't be giving up. What ATOS is doing us disgusting, and as for Tories & Lib Dems I think the public won't trust them at the next election. We have now been waiting 34 days got the mandatory reconsideration and heard nothing yet despite chasing them up every 2 days.

Make sure that you do this in writing - no telephone calls or emails.

[SpringerSpaniel]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Can she get a Rule 35 statement from the GP or any other health professional she sees ?

[Kevmc]

Re: ATOS Assessment

I didn't even know about this, but I will now be utilising this, first thing Monday being handed into the GP surgery. Thank you so much.

[wales01man]

Re: ATOS Assessment

Whats a Rule 35 statement?