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Atos medical despite serious mental/physical ill

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8 years 4 months ago #145097 by Cat
Hello

I'm absolutely stunned to have just received an appointment, for 9 days time (which no doubt is designed to cause stress too), to go to an Atos medical at Redcar. I'm in Middlesbrough. After what I included in my form, which was so traumatic to fill in (but thank goodness for the guides here) I am left in no doubt that for the DWP this is a cruel and deliberate sport. I cannot attend this and have no idea how to cope or what to do.

I put on my form the following: very severe trauma, manifesting in rape/torture episodes at me (DDNOS and unstable personality, all due to v severe long term trauma) which has gone on since 2006. 2 years ago sought help and mental health system have done even worse damage, zero support, let me down about long term cbt/psychotherapy promised, complaint now at ombudsman level. Utterly isolated since 2002, severe physical pain from arthritis in hips/back which has started showing in hands now too, nerve problems in arms, rarely ever go out (agoraphobia, fear of dogs, utter overwhelm generally, and in far worse pain for days afterwards), no help from gp so no point/harms and triggers v badly, v severe depression/anxiety/chronic exhaustion/insomnia, wasted muscles (couldn't move a lot due to rape/torture episodes). Described how trying to take risperidone made me so ill an ambulance was needed/very extreme IBS was diagnosis but not noted on records. Described difficulties have eg drop things, stumble, need aids to help me in house, have had to buy arthritis mits etc etc, have to do everything slowly, only use microwave, no peel/chop even attempted. Brain v foggy all the time, can't eat/drink around people as throat goes rigid and feel will faint, use pill organiser and even that is challenging/distressing to refill, shower v difficult eg due to rape/vulnerable. Constantly in trauma all day, need help but there none there, can only cope with simplest things and v slowly, eyesight quickly worse and lost highest register of hearing, brain easily overwhelmed. That's the main stuff, plus I included about having really tried to get help, and PALS errors/harm, complaint now at ombudsman level.

Don't see how I can ever trust or cope with mental health system again. Back in 2008 I attempted suicide, and some help happened. Now, having moved house/gp, and also being much iller, there isn't anything. Clearly the DWP are sticking the boot in, enjoying all the suffering I detail, and want to rush me into something I am clearly unable to do. I would really appreciate advice, as I can't attend this appointment.

Thanks, Cat

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8 years 4 months ago #145100 by Gordon
Cat

Sorry to hear that this is an issue.

The first thing to say is that assessment decisions are not made by the DWP, but rather the Assessment Provider (AP) for your postcode, so any contact about this issue must be directed to ATOS.

It is not clear from your post whether you could manage a home assessment, but if you can then you need your GP to write to ATOS with an explanation of the issue that would prevent you attending at their offices.

If you are saying that you cannot manage any type of assessment, then as a starting point you need to speak to your GP, they again need to write a letter confirming this, however, the decision on whether one is needed is down to ATOS and they can only make a paper based assessment if they feel that they have adequate information to do so.

You can try involving your MP, while they cannot "force" ATOS to make a decision on an assessment they can sometimes nudge them in the right direction.

Contacting your MP

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Cat

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8 years 4 months ago #145104 by Cat
Thanks Gordon. It's going to be very difficult about the GP, as I hardly see them, and they're so busy and the only way I can communicate is to write it all down and hand it to them, and there is so much to try to summarise, never mind find that someone is understanding about that. I clearly have no option but to do that, and am glad of your advice, about the MP too.

About Atos, what do I do about postponing the appointment, so I have enough time to see a GP and the GP letter to reach Atos, plus the MP part of things too? I'm really no good on the phone, and had also explained that when I had to call to initiate PIP claim; they'd still threatened about someone would call, so I said I couldn't manage that, and had to keep the phone turned off. I have just found Atos's online site, with an email address, but am worried that may not get seen in time (appt was set for Dec 8th). If I email to say I need time to see my GP, for a GP letter to be able to be written [this surely could take ages?] and to contact and hear from an MP, they should give me at least a couple of months?

Thanks, Cat

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8 years 4 months ago #145116 by Gordon
Cat

I'm afraid, without a letter from your GP, I think it very unlikely that you will be able to escape an assessment at ATOS's offices, so it is really important that you speak to them about this. Also, if an assessment has been booked, you are past the point where ATOS will contact your GP directly themselves.

You have some time to get all your ducks lined up with regard to moving the appointment, you will only be given one opportunity to move it so it needs to right. If you would struggle to phone yourself then someone can phone for you but you will need to available to answer any security questions and to authorise ATOS to speak to the person.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Cat

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8 years 4 months ago #145128 by Cat
Thanks Gordon.
I'm psyching myself up to contact the GP, but will need time to write down everything for them, as I can't possibly speak it all in one go, and can only write it down a bit at a time. I don't have anyone who can speak to Atos on my behalf. I'm thinking I might be better to email, as then there's proof I emailed, and of the response, as well as me not coping well at all with the phone.

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  • bro58
8 years 4 months ago #145144 by bro58

Cat wrote: Thanks Gordon.
I'm psyching myself up to contact the GP, but will need time to write down everything for them, as I can't possibly speak it all in one go, and can only write it down a bit at a time. I don't have anyone who can speak to Atos on my behalf. I'm thinking I might be better to email, as then there's proof I emailed, and of the response, as well as me not coping well at all with the phone.


hi C,

Yes, it is always advisable to keep correspondence in writing where possible ! :)

bro58

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