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atos assessor and the decision-maker

  • stephano
  • Topic Author
12 years 5 months ago #75822 by stephano
atos assessor and the decision-maker was created by stephano
Hello,
I was told at my re-assessment
that medical diagnosis was not important for the purposes of the re-assessment.
Then , question... are diagnoses important for decision-makers? I assume that they
are/may be...otherwise why are poeple,
such as myself , asked to include supporting documents/letters from medics. when appealing a decision? And, finally ,
if medical conditions are not important for medical! assessments, why are they
called medical assessments.

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  • bro58
12 years 5 months ago #75823 by bro58
Replied by bro58 on topic Re:atos assessor and the decision-maker
stephano wrote:

Hello,
I was told at my re-assessment
that medical diagnosis was not important for the purposes of the re-assessment.
Then , question... are diagnoses important for decision-makers? I assume that they
are/may be...otherwise why are poeple,
such as myself , asked to include supporting documents/letters from medics. when appealing a decision? And, finally ,
if medical conditions are not important for medical! assessments, why are they
called medical assessments.


Hi S,

It is indeed a claimants limitations etc that are the important issue, as it is a capability test.

However, by proving that you suffer with any particular medical condition, with medical evidence etc, it would then make it easier for the Decision Maker to decide that on the balance of probabilities you also suffer from the resulting limitations.

The DM also takes into account any recommendations from the ATOS HCP.

bro58

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12 years 5 months ago #75825 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Re:atos assessor and the decision-maker
Stephano

They are and they aren't, sorry if I an confusing you :)

They are not, in the sense that with the possible exception of cancer, you cannot correlate a particular illness or disability with scoring points.

However, they are because having a diagnosis, allows the ATOS "doctor" to confirm that your statements regarding your limitations are reasonable.

To take a trivial example of a broken leg. Having a broken leg would not result in your scoring points for the mobilising test, however, if I state I could not walk 200m, then having a broken leg would be a good reason why I could not and a lot better than if I offer no reason for the limitation.

And before everybody jumps on this, I have deliberately ignored the wheelchair for the sake of simplicity.

Hope this explains it.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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  • stephano
  • Topic Author
12 years 5 months ago #75827 by stephano
Replied by stephano on topic Re:atos assessor and the decision-maker
Thanks you,
if capabilities and limitations are determined by the day to day effects of medical conditions, then shouldn't they be given more weight , and time , during a re-assessment. My point goes to cause of limitation and capability .

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  • bro58
12 years 5 months ago #75828 by bro58
Replied by bro58 on topic Re:atos assessor and the decision-maker
Gordon wrote:

Stephano

They are and they aren't, sorry if I an confusing you :)

They are not, in the sense that with the possible exception of cancer, you cannot correlate a particular illness or disability with scoring points.

However, they are because having a diagnosis, allows the ATOS "doctor" to confirm that your statements regarding your limitations are reasonable.

To take a trivial example of a broken leg. Having a broken leg would not result in your scoring points for the mobilising test, however, if I state I could not walk 200m, then having a broken leg would be a good reason why I could not and a lot better than if I offer no reason for the limitation.

And before everybody jumps on this, I have deliberately ignored the wheelchair for the sake of simplicity.

Hope this explains it.

Gordon


Exactly Gordon :)

It may help you understand the machinations Stephano, if you read:

DWP Resources
WCA Handbook

Accessible from here :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

It contains "guidance" given to ATOS HCP's.

cheers

bro58

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  • bro58
12 years 5 months ago #75830 by bro58
Replied by bro58 on topic Re:atos assessor and the decision-maker
stephano wrote:

Thanks you,
if capabilities and limitations are determined by the day to day effects of medical conditions, then shouldn't they be given more weight , and time , during a re-assessment. My point goes to cause of limitation and capability .


Hi S,

It is no secret, and has been openly admitted by the politicians, that the WCA process is flawed.

This is why they are having the annual Harrington Review.

Although his most recent recommendations seem to be of little help to claimants.

bro58

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