The dreaded phone call......

[RhiRhi]

Evening All,

Just had a phone call from ATOS/ESA to attend another medical assessment on the 14th May.

I've had one before so know what to expect so wanted to know some things before going but the man seemed reluctant to help. I asked if it would be the same guy as last time and if it was can I have someone else as I had to appeal after seeing this guy as what I said in reply to questions isn't what he put on the form. So I wanted to make sure I have someone different this time also because if I saw him again he wouldn't really be impartial.

I also asked if I will be seeing someone who has knowledge or at least some understanding in Fibromyalgia but he said that they don't have to have knowledge in the areas your off work for, just have to be medically trained???

Anyone else faced the same problems and/or have some advice on whether we can request it to be someone who is knowledgeable in the field/s we are off for?

Thanks in advance,

Rhi x

[rosehip]

ive just come off incapacity benafit onto work related esa and i only get it for a year , i am going to appeal as i didnt have a medical . if i was you i would ask them to record your medical so you have evidence that things were done correctlyx

[diane63 in reply to rosehip]

rosehie.. i am on incapacity for years... do they send u a letter telling u when u will go on to esa.... i will fight this all my life. as i find it so unfair.. thanks xxx

[Hidden]

It's my understanding that we can ask to be assessed by someone who has knowledge of our condition so I'd ring back and tell them you're requesting that .

Not sure if someone from admin can confirm this, but I think you can ask when you get in to the room if they DO have knowledge of your illness and if not can tell them you want it rescheduled .

I'd also insist the assessment is recorded as I had a similar experience with an SDA assessment , ask for a copy of the test as well . I asked for one and found the answers I'd given were not recorded properly and some had in fact been changed .

Not being funny here but ATOS are a company that get paid on results... and results in this case mean getting people off benefits .... That's worth bearing in mind . Also bear in mind that you are observed from the moment you arrive, not just during the assessment . ( In some cases even before you've entered the building ) And also after you've left .

[gypsycrafter]

you are able to record all interviews now and i advise you take someone with you good luck i do hope you get it this time. xxxx

[julieru]

If you are disabled to the point you cannot attend then you can ask for them to come to you.

I had to ask for this as the examination rooms are upstairs and I cannot manage stairs - I have a stairlift at home. One guy said it was ok because they had a lift. I said I would need assistance from when I parked as I had paperwork to bring and I cannot manage that and a stick or frame. I was told the help would be available. I rang up the week before to confirm this was the case and was told if I couldnt manage stairs then I couldnt enter the building in case of fire. I asked about the lifts and was told the lifts turn off in the event of a fire. If you genuinely cannot manage stairs then they cannot have you in the building as you could not leave in the event of a fire

[rosehip]

Diane yes i had a letter on monday to say i was on esa now but they have put me in the work group . i wanted support group so i dont have to work , and they took this all on a medical form i filled in last september . i thought you had to have a medical before they could give a dissision , it stinks . have you had a medical or filled a medical report in x