DWP and ATOS

[Big Daz]

I assume we are all aware that the Department for Work and Pensions uses ATOS?

So the next time you come across someone being told they can work and then having their incapicty benefit taken away keep a open mind!!!

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/healthcare-profes ... ealthcare/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Atos Healthcare

Healthcare professionals employed by Atos Healthcare provide medical services to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Their main role is to give medical advice to help DWP decision makers reach an appropriate decision on entitlement to benefit.

Regulation and approval

Atos Healthcare professionals are bound by General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council codes of conduct and confidentiality. They also have to comply with strict contractual conditions relating to the handling of medical and DWP-related information.

Atos Healthcare professionals are experts in the functional assessment of disability. In order to undertake work for the DWP they must be "approved" by the Secretary of State for DWP. Initial and ongoing approval requires a healthcare professional to successfully complete an initial course of prescribed training, to comply with the requirement for ongoing training and to ensure that their work meets the requisite quality standards.

Advice from Atos

Atos Healthcare can give telephone advice to clinicians on medical matters relating to:

certification – such as completion of certificates and reports
disability benefits.
They are only able to offer general advice and cannot discuss individual cases of people who are being assessed for benefit. This advice service is strictly for healthcare professionals.

Atos Healthcare can also provide more formal educational sessions to clinicians by prior arrangement.

For general enquiries on benefit-related matters contact your local DWP office.

[Stormproof]

When I had my DWP Medical for Industrial Injury benefit it was an ATOS Dr, not the same Dr who I saw for one of my Stage 3's, same building though. Its a conspiracy I tell ya!

[Big Daz]

I think your right Stormproof!!!!

[ashadd]

not the same Dr who I saw

Youve really seen Dr Who ???????????????

[DGP1]

not the same Dr who I saw

Youve really seen Dr Who ???????????????

It's just THE DOCTOR

[norbert]

When I had my DWP Medical for Industrial Injury benefit it was an ATOS Dr, not the same Dr who I saw for one of my Stage 3's, same building though. Its a conspiracy I tell ya!

bad reputation

[belle smith]

I knew that already.
I also know people who have unfairly been refused incapacity and disability only for the decision to be overturned on appeal. Goverment policy is much the same as the Royal Mail policy, " your fit to do some work."

Was also under the impression that the plans for personnel care for the elderly are to be in part funded, by "savings" from incapacity and disability claims.

[lainey]

herd at work last week that now if you are off sick for 2 weeks it goes straight to atos

[norbert]

I knew that already.
I also know people who have unfairly been refused incapacity and disability only for the decision to be overturned on appeal. Goverment policy is much the same as the Royal Mail policy, " your fit to do some work."

Was also under the impression that the plans for personnel care for the elderly are to be in part funded, by "savings" from incapacity and disability claims.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8465122.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/incapacity-benefit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Quite a lot of stuff on the internet , blogs & message boards with horror stories , same chapter ; same story . Tipped off that ATOS & the DWP will be going on the telly .

Benefits and Work has been asked to post the following media request from BBC TV. We’ve had a long talk with the reporter, Liam McDougal, and we do think that they are genuinely setting out to make a programme about the problems with ESA assessments. Liam is also working with a reporter we’ve had positive dealings with in the past.
-----------------------
BBC television to investigate problems with ESA
The BBC's current affairs department is investigating the difficulties people face when trying to claim ESA, for a television documentary. The programme aims to highlight claimants' experiences with the new system and to investigate why people with genuine illnesses and disabilities are being declared fit to work. Do you, for example, believe the results of your Atos assessment are wrong? Or perhaps you do not think they reflect the answers you gave to the doctor at the time.
“If you've had a problem claiming ESA and would like to discuss your experience, then please contact Liam McDougall as soon as possible on 0141 422 7559 or liam.mcdougall@bbc.co.uk
-----------------
Regular newsletter readers will remember we asked people to contact BBC Scotland last December for a similar programme, only on the radio. We didn’t find out that programme was being broadcast in time to let people know about it, but you can read some of their findings here:
Seriously ill patients 'told to work'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8465122.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The fact that the story is moving from radio to TV suggest that there is a growing awareness that there is something radically wrong with ESA. If you can help increase that awareness by recounting your own experiences, please do seriously think about doing so.
This request has also been posted on our discussion forum at:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum? ... 6252#16252" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The usual fortnightly newsletter will be with you next week. Meanwhile, if you are a subscribing member with a DLA appeal, please note we've just received and published a new February Stop Press addition to the case law pack we told you about last week in the following article:
Huge new DLA appeals resource
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/l ... s-resource" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Benefits and Work is pleased to be able to provide a unique new 200+ page resource for members involved in disability living allowance and attendance allowance appeals.
You are welcome to forward this newsletter or publish it online on a blog, forum or website, provided you do so in full..
Good luck,
Steve Donnison

[General Mannerheim]

I`ve had dealings with these arsewipes.
I`ve had the dubious pleasure of Atossers telling me that I`m not fit for ANY job within Royal Mail and wanting me to retire and then going for a medical for Employment support and being told that I AM fit to return to work.WTF

Got told off somebody in the know that only 16% of new claimants are being passed and that you have to be like Stephen Hawkins or ready for the cemetary to actually get it,it`s so new Liebour and the soon to be kings Tories can bang on about getting people off sickness benefits.
At this medical I was asked such things like can you make a cup of tea,can you make a sandwich,can you get out of bed? Pisstaking bar stewards.
Also on this benefit they put you with a back to work advisor,the t.wat I had wanted me to go and clear up the local canal or work with the local nutters on community projects for free as it `would be good work experience`.
So I got my ill health retirement over turned much to my Dimwits annoyance.

[belle smith]

cheers for the info norbert ....and Daz

[norbert]

cheers for the info norbert ....and Daz

I think ? ATOS use software called LIMA for " assessment " , it makes dreadful assumptions , very black and white and arbitrary . The LIMA training course lasts three days , a HCA or Auxillary ? or is it Ancillary Nurse as they used to be called ; can do "assessments" .

I accept they've to weed out some of the workshy malingerers , but I believe it costs a fortune for all these appeals , apparently 75 - 87 % were winning them .

Another pet hate is that awful A4e that were on the telly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDo6tre- ... re=channel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , she ( Emma Harrison ) got a OBE this year , The Sheffield Stud - David Blunkett just happened to be on their board . Disgraced New Labour's James Purnell of the shortest lived leadership coup , gave them a New Deal Contract http://www.newdealscandal.co.uk/flexiblenewdeal/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; http://www.flexiblenewdeal.me.uk/newdeal/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That Hayley was like a cross between Marjorie Dawes of Little Britain's - Fat Fighters and The League Of Gentlemen's - Pauline from the Job Club http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWw0nNQ ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm told the Social can be that patronising , that clip isn't that exaggerated .