Atos subcontracts disability tests to NHS
- Thread starter Ilikeitblackplease
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you probably wont get an interview date for around 3-6 weeks.
BTW I read on one forum the place was up a bunch of stairs and the elevator had an out of order sign even though it wasn't.
If thats the case grab someone at reception and tell them you can't climb stairs don't push your self they will use it against you.
a DWP adviser told me you need to fill in the survey as if every day is your worst, bit late for you now though
BTW I read on one forum the place was up a bunch of stairs and the elevator had an out of order sign even though it wasn't.
If thats the case grab someone at reception and tell them you can't climb stairs don't push your self they will use it against you.
a DWP adviser told me you need to fill in the survey as if every day is your worst, bit late for you now though
You can't help but wonder if Atos were given the brief:
"This country is going to the dogs, benefits scum and guff speaking work slackers everywhere. Every one of them. Weed them out."
It's certainly what it sounds like to me. Easier for a third party to do it too, no blood on the government's hands.
"This country is going to the dogs, benefits scum and guff speaking work slackers everywhere. Every one of them. Weed them out."
It's certainly what it sounds like to me. Easier for a third party to do it too, no blood on the government's hands.
Soldato
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I have Stickler syndrome and was given a lifetime award since age 0 - the lower rate in both care and mobility. According to my social services, all of their clients with Stickler's have had the same benefits as me so the syndrome is consistent. What'ya reckon the chances of Atos honouring this? Anyone else with Stickler's on this forum? I don't mind having to reapply as it's a genuine case but I'm unsettled over the bad feedback that Atos are getting. I'm thinking of getting an advocate as my spoken English isn't as good as written.
Indeed, yeah Atos does the work but the questions and results will all be set by the client aka the Government.
The contracting of NHS staff to do some of the work isn't unusual and happens across the industry. My girlfriend works for Atos and she'll often say there is some stupid stuff that goes on but nothing that you won't find in any large international company.
Either way its the government calling the shots.
are you actually english? any social skills you lack like verbal communication will all count towards the report the DWP get.
Soldato
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Try not to worry too much. You may not even need to attend one as any one can see you are very genuine.
If you do have too bring up absolutely everything you struggle with, even if sometimes you manage better than others tell them about the worst. Might sound dishonest but they have a habit of being that themselves, like the time they asked me if I could climb stairs whilst in a wheel chair. I kind of joking said I might be able to crawl up them and they put down I had been observed walking up stairs.
If you do, I would personally ask your GP if you can have a home assessment. You will be able to demonstrate your difficulties and what you use in day to day life.
I don't want to worry you but just make you aware. After an assessment be prepared to have your benefits stopped without warning and I mean without warning. Basically I was living day to day on next to nothing to find one day I had no money paid into my account, after 2 1/2 hours on the phone I found mine had been stopped due to the lies from ATOS.
Have an appeal form ready and post immediately and they will re-instate them whilst the appeal goes through. I won mine with ease after 16 months by which time I was well enough to return to work.
Try to have a little money behind you in case they rule against you. It is very distressing when you really need help to have these people destroy your life for 'targets'.
Soldato
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I think this is true in a round about way.
It sounds the like the threshold for incapasity benifit has shifted from finding it extremely difficult to work or find employment due to a disability to it being a physical impossibility.
Obviously this is a difficult message for a government to deliver, so they've paid someone else to do it for them.
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I'm sure a lot of people on ESA would happily work if they could get a job to suit them.
but once you have had a job it's almost impossible to get back on ESA no matter what he circumstances are.
Lets face it your hiring for your company.
you see an application that lists some form of disability whether it be mental or physical, your hardly going to put them at the top of the list as an ideal candidate over a well bodied person even if they have slightly less qualifications
but once you have had a job it's almost impossible to get back on ESA no matter what he circumstances are.
Lets face it your hiring for your company.
you see an application that lists some form of disability whether it be mental or physical, your hardly going to put them at the top of the list as an ideal candidate over a well bodied person even if they have slightly less qualifications
You would rather have people on JSA for almost their whole lives struggling to get by because no one wants to employ them based on a disability ? and all the extra pressure of trying to get that job could lead to even worse health and depression
I'm sure there's a job almost anyone can do but getting one and holding one is going to be almost impossible especially when you take into consideration any problems that might arise due to their disability which will mean they may need time of work fairly often
As one of Gordon Browns last acts was to extend ATOS's contract until 2015, pretty high (it meant the Torys would be lumbered with it for an entire term so if Labour got back in after that term they could claim the credit for dumping ATOS).
Soldato
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Well that was my question, I'm slightly bemused but the whole setup.
I think we all first need to decide what ESA is for. It seems to me it was intended to offer a better quality of life (more comparable to those in employment) for those that can't work.
Is it acceptable to offer people enhanced benifits (above JSA) just because they find it difficult to find or hold down a job. Even if it's through no fault of their own.
Why are they financially distinguishable from a job seeker if they do have the ability to work but can't find employment?
Is ESA designed to enhance a persons prospects of finding employment, or as you've already suggested it may act as a discouragement.
Where do you draw the line? A fairly minor aliment may severely impact you attractivness to employers if it impairs a key skill. Being stupid could be considered a disability. Being unable to speak English. Being overweight or having a physical disfigument. Being anti social or have a problems communicating effectively.
Are they deserving of enhanced benifits if they can't find work? When does a disability become the states responsibly and when is it just the misfortune of the person concerned?
If you can't simply divide the poulation into those that can and can't work, the whole assement process needs to be more scientific and objective. But that would cost a fortune.
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I had a home assessment for ESA, whilst still technically "employed" (long term sick leave, no wages but not let go either). I was sat on my sofa, wheelchair parked next to it. The Atos assessor (refuse to acknowledge them as "Doctors") actually had the nerve to sit in my wheelchair when offered a seat! I was asked some daft and asinine questions, majority of which I should have answered yes to; I could stand for a short period, I could make myself dinner. But the key thing that was missed regarding my variable condition - consequences. I could sprint 100 meters if my life depended on it. But the consequences of doing so would almost certainly be a good week laid up in bed to recover. I could bend over to pick a small object up from the the floor. I could possibly repeat that same action again. But again, the consequences of doing so would be further pain and reduced mobility for a significant period.
The Atos agent's findings resulted in a fit for work recommendation, contradictory to my Orthopaedic Surgeon, Consultant Haematologist, Occupational Therapist, GP, Physio, Pain Surgeon and Company Doctor's opinions.
In my successful appeal letter, I actually asked which job they suggested I do - considering the expert opinions included.
TL;DR: Atos will find you fit, unless you're dead already (close to it doesn't count), but an appeal with supporting medical opinions should be prepared and ready to post as a standard expectation of the process...
The Atos agent's findings resulted in a fit for work recommendation, contradictory to my Orthopaedic Surgeon, Consultant Haematologist, Occupational Therapist, GP, Physio, Pain Surgeon and Company Doctor's opinions.
In my successful appeal letter, I actually asked which job they suggested I do - considering the expert opinions included.
TL;DR: Atos will find you fit, unless you're dead already (close to it doesn't count), but an appeal with supporting medical opinions should be prepared and ready to post as a standard expectation of the process...
Soldato
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Erm, so what? You seem to be trying to imply that he is getting this purely because of Atos Healthcare ...
Atos is multi-billion pound, multi-national company of which Atos Healthcare is just one tiny part. Other areas such as Consulting (IT/Business), HTTS, Systems Integration and Managed Services (Outsourcing) are far larger and bring in far more money.
Soldato
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Whilst I in no way support the use of ATOS to assess ESA claimants it does make me sad when threads like this appear and claimants feel the need to keep professing how bad they are and what they can't do.
I just look at our Paralympians and people like Stephen Hawking and think the idea that being disabled is a immovable obstacle to getting on in life and being productive is not a wholly true one.
Yesterday I was watching a programme on BBC One which featured a severely disabled young woman, but she was working two jobs and had a very active life. And she was very happy too.
Let me re-iterate, of course I'm not saying that disabled people or people with illnesses should be kicked off benefits and forced into seeking working per se, but I do think there is a general attitude to concentrate on negatives instead of positives. We've gone from an era where people were too proud to admit their problems to one where it's almost fashionable to have them and to be a 'victim'.
I just look at our Paralympians and people like Stephen Hawking and think the idea that being disabled is a immovable obstacle to getting on in life and being productive is not a wholly true one.
Yesterday I was watching a programme on BBC One which featured a severely disabled young woman, but she was working two jobs and had a very active life. And she was very happy too.
Let me re-iterate, of course I'm not saying that disabled people or people with illnesses should be kicked off benefits and forced into seeking working per se, but I do think there is a general attitude to concentrate on negatives instead of positives. We've gone from an era where people were too proud to admit their problems to one where it's almost fashionable to have them and to be a 'victim'.
This is the problem with labelling everyone on benefits as a "scrounger" or "work-shy". The reality is that there are very few people who abuse the system to the extent that we read about in the Daily Mail. Most of the welfare bill is spent on pensioners, and due to the difference in life expectancy between the rich and poor, Tory pensioners who are the first to complain when their benefits are cut and shout the loudest for everyone else's benefits to be cut.
Soldato
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This seems to a straw man argument though. I've never heard a Tory politician use those words and whilst the Daily Mail may have called specific people like Mick Philpott that, I don't think they've ever made the claim that all people on benefits are scroungers.