[KimberleyEscada]

Originally Posted by tim59

You have a point but, most people are stresed out by the time they get to the assessment, the person doing the assessment did not help because she would not answer if she was qualified. Its like doing away with gp and letting the reciptionest at the surgery see you instead. The whole thing is a mess. They ask alot of non medical things, like do you look after any pets at home, if yes means you could be fit and do care work

Out of interest, what system for assessing if people are fit to work would you put in place? Do you think it should be decided by an individual's GP?


Updated to say I'm asking in a genuinely curious way because you said on another thread you have had a lot of experience with atos. Not trying to be confrontational.

[tony13579]

Originally Posted by KimberleyEscada

Out of interest, what system for assessing if people are fit to work would you put in place? Do you think it should be decided by an individual's GP?


Updated to say I'm asking in a genuinely curious way because you said on another thread you have had a lot of experience with atos. Not trying to be confrontational.

The government pay the GPs about £100k a year to be the gatekeeper to hospital services and benifits. Why shouldnt it be the GP?

[tim59]

Originally Posted by KimberleyEscada

Out of interest, what system for assessing if people are fit to work would you put in place? Do you think it should be decided by an individual's GP?


Updated to say I'm asking in a genuinely curious way because you said on another thread you have had a lot of experience with atos. Not trying to be confrontational.

In the past DWP employed doctors, themselfs. I would use GPs but not the persons GP, i would have a differant doctor look at the person and read the the person medical file and the claim forms. The thing is at the moment you have got unqualified people decideding if someone is fit to work

[Sammi_Roberts]

Originally Posted by tony13579

The government pay the GPs about £100k a year to be the gatekeeper to hospital services and benifits. Why shouldnt it be the GP?

GP's are not (one example) mental health experts. Not suggesting ATOS are either, but just addressing your point that it should be left to GP's . They should be left to look after the day-to-day needs of the general public, not be responsible for deciding peoples benefits entitlement.

[tony13579]

Originally Posted by Sammi_Roberts

GP's are not (one example) mental health experts. Not suggesting ATOS are either, but just addressing your point that it should be left to GP's . They should be left to look after the day-to-day needs of the general public, not be responsible for deciding peoples benefits entitlement.

But they have long term acces to the patients consultants, specilists nurses to assist in making that decision

[analyn]

I was given higher rate of mobilty indefinitely and thought that these "medicals" were shelved for the time being, I did not expect one yet but lo and behold I have to go in a couple of weeks. Apart from mobility issues, I also suffer very badly with depression and panic attacks as so many of you have described.
I fear I will not be able to go and have been up since 2am just getting frantic. Seems that my money will be stopped whether I go or not anyway??
I will be on a pension in 2 years but what I will do in the meantime, I do not know? My nerves are so bad that I do not even go to the doctor (so there can be no help there!)
When my money is stopped, what happens, do I have to go to the jobcentre? (Heaven knows how this will be achieved)
Thank you for listening, any advice would be welcomed.

[Sunnier]

Just to add to this discussion saw this 'news comment' recently,it's from an Employers perspective,..

**I run my own company and employ about 150 skilled and semi skilled people I took on a man that A.T.O.S said was fit for work so he did what he thought was right and applied for the vacancy, I had my doubts when I interviewed him but because the work was light I gave him the job.
On his first day all he had to do was pack bolts into a box he was doing fine for about an hour then his joints seized and we had to call an ambulance he was extremely embarrased and would not stop apologising I re-assured him and told him I would speak for him at a tribunal if he wished.
After he left in the ambulance I contacted the job centre and told them he was not fit for work after a load of speel they told me to contact A.T.O.S, which was a complete waste of time I would have had more sense from un-trained chimps.
The government have not thought this through properly, they have turned people against people who are genuine claimants and need the support of the benefit system, fortunately the man had his benefits returned to him.**

This was on Yahoo News.

[Lost_Soul]

I've just received my appointment for an atos medical...im not sure what to expect though, its the day before my father-in-laws funeral too

[tim59]

Originally Posted by Lost_Soul

I've just received my appointment for an atos medical...im not sure what to expect though, its the day before my father-in-laws funeral too

What you can do is phone them up and say you want a recorded assessment, and then they will give you a new appointment , what ever is said is recorded on CD and at the end of the assessment you get given a copy of the CD, take someone with you if possible who knows how your illness effects your day to day life

[Lost_Soul]

Originally Posted by tim59

What you can do is phone them up and say you want a recorded assessment, and then they will give you a new appointment , what ever is said is recorded on CD and at the end of the assessment you get given a copy of the CD, take someone with you if possible who knows how your illness effects your day to day life

thank you, i will do that x