Referred to Atos

[Lateagainpostie]

I've been referred to Atos for what my DIM calls a recurring back injury, (2nd time in 12months), first time was I slipped on customers step and jarred my back, went backto work after a few days on painkillers, this time it's a strain or muscle tear, Doc has laid me off for a further 10 days for it to heal.

I offered to go in and do light duties, been told there's nothing available, Doc has said I can do light duties providing there is no lifting involved, DOM says callers office is out because of that.

So what can I expect from Atos, I read one thread where someone had to travel 40 miles to see an Atos Doc, who pays for that, and in who's time ?

Any info would be good please.

[BettySwollocks]

Whatever you do, do not return to work before your GP says it's ok.
it's one thing returning to work early while still having a cough or cold, but you don't take chances with your back.
do you think your boss will be grateful or go a little easier on you if you return to work early ?
i've seen posties taken down the conduct code and given stage warnings for having a stroke, the worst was one was a fella who had throat cancer (he died soon after), he was put on a stage warning !
you don't have to lift anything to aggravate a back injury, twisting and turning can do that,
if your docs gives you 2 weeks sick, and it won't get you onto a stage warning, then use it.

[Lateagainpostie]

Whatever you do, do not return to work before your GP says it's ok.
it's one thing returning to work early while still having a cough or cold, but you don't take chances with your back.
do you think your boss will be grateful or go a little easier on you if you return to work early ?
i've seen posties taken down the conduct code and given stage warnings for having a stroke, the worst was one was a fella who had throat cancer (he died soon after), he was put on a stage warning !
you don't have to lift anything to aggravate a back injury, twisting and turning can do that,
if your docs gives you 2 weeks sick, and it won't get you onto a stage warning, then use it.

I'm not really bothered about the warning to be honest, it's the job in general, theres bugger all else where I live,and theres a bit of "Well if you're not able to carry a pouch etc" going on.
I know it's all a bit of bullying and harassment, but it still makes you think.

[General Mannerheim]

They usually do them at the nearest mailcentre(for some people the nearest mailcentre might be over 40 miles away )or they might do the referral at a DWP centre where Atos fraud people out of benefits(I am due to see one there next week..lucky me!! )either way they expect you to arrange how you get there,you could always ask your Dimwit for a lift.

[red1968]

I offered to go in and do light duties, been told there's nothing available, Doc has said I can do light duties providing there is no lifting involved, DOM says callers office is out because of that.

Im in the same boat.no light duties when indoor work is all over the place.
I think its another way to get people on warnings.....

[Lateagainpostie]

They usually do them at the nearest mailcentre(for some people the nearest mailcentre might be over 40 miles away )or they might do the referral at a DWP centre where Atos fraud people out of benefits(I am due to see one there next week..lucky me!! )either way they expect you to arrange how you get there,you could always ask your Dimwit for a lift.

Well if they don't pay reasonable expenses he or she will have to come to me

[TeeferTiger]

My DOM arranged train tickets for me and my Mum to go to our nearest MC to see the ATOS doctor. I wasn't safe to drive due to my meds and didn't want to go on my own.

[moondustprince]

Yeah I sympathise with all other fellow ATOS sufferers, I have been grilled by them for the past year for my long term sick absence. I have also encountered the ATOS scrooge when I was referred by the D W P to attend a medical cos I had to claim Employment support, when I went down to half pay. Be warned they are looking for every trick, they watch can you sit still for more than five mins etc. Don’t be fooled with the smiling viper smile they give you, they are just an extention of R M managers.

[TeeferTiger]

Yeah I sympathise with all other fellow ATOS sufferers, I have been grilled by them for the past year for my long term sick absence. I have also encountered the ATOS scrooge when I was referred by the D W P to attend a medical cos I had to claim Employment support, when I went down to half pay. Be warned they are looking for every trick, they watch can you sit still for more than five mins etc. Don’t be fooled with the smiling viper smile they give you, they are just an extention of R M managers.

Actually, the ATOS Dr I saw was really lovely, he TOLD me I wasn't fit for work and basically seemed to know what RM are like.

ATOS haven't been too bad with me so far. They were a bit arsey after my AOD and I was actually IN work but saying I couldn't do full duties. They made recommendations which I was happy with, and the recommendations were soon forgotten about!

[General Mannerheim]

The one I've seen 4 times was ok, although she was only intent on getting me to finish at first,but give her credit the last time I saw her in August she put that I was never to work outdoors again, but now I've been referred again as the DOM is a cock and apparently the one I'm going seeing next week ALWAYS says unfit for work and to finish on ill health grounds.
The Atos DWP doctors are feckin shite however and I fully agree with moondust,they are paid to get people back to work so you go back to work and then get shat on off your employer.It's called being between a crock and a hard place.