The BBC show Watchdog are currently seeking people who have had bad experiences with Atos Healthcare. I think we know a few people who have don't we!
If you wish to submit your story you can do so on their website here.
I just submitted my own, but due to brainfog couldn't think how to phrase it very well, so doubt I'll hear anything back from them. I hope some of you have better luck.
Atos medicals are a complete farce. Firstly they are now conducted by nurses who have been given the grand title of 'Healthcare Professionals'. They do no have the required skills to make decisions on how complex medical conditions affect a person. The assessment has to follow a computer software programme which requires answers to all questions, even if their are not relevant. In my example I was asked if I had a problem washing my hair. I am bald and what little is left is kept less than 1/8 inch short. I told the assessor the only problem I had was finding hair to wash. But the report stated I was able to wash my hair without problem. Giving the impression that I had hair to wash. The assessor paid very little attention as she was engrossed in the computer screen in front of her. It is my understanding that ATOS' software questions have a menu of possible answers for the assessor to choose from. I suspect this is true as all my 'alleged' answers were nowhere near what was actually said. Any attempt to explain how my medical condition affected my daily life was ignored. The assessor even stated that she had carried out a physical examination of my neck, which was untrue. I would not have let her examine it if she had wanted to as she does not have the medical skills necessary to carry out orthapedic examinations. I have been examined on 4 prior occassions, by doctors, and have always been awarded the necessary 15 points to qualify for Icapacity Benefit. This time I recieved 0 points. I suffer from complaints caused by Osteoathritis a degenerative disease, yet this assessor considers me fully recovered. I have checked with the DWP and was informed the medical criteria for ESA is exactly the same as for Incapacity Benefit. I now strongly suspect that ATOS are operating under government instructions to find everyone 'fit for work' in an attempt to drive people onto the 'cheaper' JSA. I have yet to hear of someone I know passing thier assessment. I know one person who was in a coma for over 4 months, and now is housebound and suffers from several serious medical disorders, who was passed fit by ATOS. This was recently overturned on appeal. That is another point, at present over 40% of appeals against ATOS aessessments are overturned on appeal, proof that ATOS are failing miserably in the service they give paid for out of taxpayers money.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to report to you that within the last month one of my best friends passed their medical, and has been put straight on ESA from Income Support. I was absolutely gobsmacked that this happened, and would very much like to meet her assessor lol.
DeleteYou are right. The computer software has drop down menu's. The assessors *can* put added information; such as you not having any hair, however it takes them extra effort to do so, so ...! The system does not however have us all answer the same questions. Our answers to earlier questions dictate what questions we are asked further in to the assessment; as such, we may actually miss questios that would be particularly relevant to us.
I congratulate you on your miracle recovery ;)
Oh, and by the way .. submitting your story on my blog doesn't get it to Watchdog. You need to follow the link in the post :)
DeleteOh, by the way, posting your story on my blog doesn't submit it to Watchdog. You need to follow the link in my blog post.
Deletei have waited 6 mths now to be assesed by atos and rang to complain i was told i wouldnt be seen till there were enough people in my area. i explained i live in a very small village and the rude woman told me i would wait a very long time then, out of anger and frustration i told her that they should all be put in westminster with their mps and blown up and hung up . 10 minutes later i had the police at my door saying i had been reported by atos as a terrorist. which i then got angry at the police for operating a 2 tier system to protect the so called elite it took 5 days when t was burgled before they came out .atos DEMAND THAT YOU OBEY THEM ITS A BLOODY JOKE.THE DWP DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO AS ATOS REFUSE TO SEE ME NOW . TO BE FAIR TO THE POLICE WHO CAME THEY WERE FUMING WITH ATOS AND AGREED WITH ME. THE STRESS NEARLY KILLED ME THAT DAY AND AN AMBULANCE HAD TO BE CALLED TO HELP ME . MAYBE THIS IS THE PLAN FOR ATOS AND THE GOVERMENT TO KILL OFF THE SICK AND DISABLED
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience Anonymous. I completely understand your frustration. I had a vaguely similar experience - an extremely confrontation Decision Maker deliberately gave me a panic attack whilst on the phone to me, then hung up. Police were not called, but I had to restart the entire application process for DLA.
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