Prognosis

Previous 2 years ESA85A prognosis shown as at least 24 months, DWP gave 24 month prognosis. Just noticed this time after re-assessment Atos prognosis states longer term but DWP prognosis have given prognosis as 12 months+ and stated in WRAG for 18 months.

Seems strange Atos saying this time the prognosis is longer than their previous assessment yet DWP have made a shorter prognosis this time. Does this mean DWP can over-ride Atos HCP prognosis? Seems odd a medical professional makes a prognosis and a non-medical person can alter it? Bit complicated to explain

del wrote: Previous 2 years ESA85A prognosis shown as at least 24 months, DWP gave 24 month prognosis. Just noticed this time after re-assessment Atos prognosis states longer term but DWP prognosis have given prognosis as 12 months+ and stated in WRAG for 18 months.

Seems strange Atos saying this time the prognosis is longer than their previous assessment yet DWP have made a shorter prognosis this time. Does this mean DWP can over-ride Atos HCP prognosis? Seems odd a medical professional makes a prognosis and a non-medical person can alter it? Bit complicated to explain

Hi d,

I understand where you are coming from here.

All content of an ATOS ESA85/ESA85A Medical Report are simply recommendations.

The DWP DM can over ride any of the above.

Even the final prognosis given by The DM is only a recommendation of when a reassessment should take place, and reassessments can happen at any time after 3 months of any ESA award decision date.

They do tend to abide by the DWP DM's prognosis, in the majority of cases.

bro58

bro58 wrote:

del wrote: Previous 2 years ESA85A prognosis shown as at least 24 months, DWP gave 24 month prognosis. Just noticed this time after re-assessment Atos prognosis states longer term but DWP prognosis have given prognosis as 12 months+ and stated in WRAG for 18 months.

Seems strange Atos saying this time the prognosis is longer than their previous assessment yet DWP have made a shorter prognosis this time. Does this mean DWP can over-ride Atos HCP prognosis? Seems odd a medical professional makes a prognosis and a non-medical person can alter it? Bit complicated to explain

Hi d,

I understand where you are coming from here.

All content of an ATOS ESA85/ESA85A Medical Report are simply recommendations.

The DWP DM can over ride any of the above.

Even the final prognosis given by The DM is only a recommendation of when a reassessment should take place, and reassessments can happen at any time after 3 months of any ESA award decision date.

They do tend to abide by the DWP DM's prognosis, in the majority of cases.

bro58

Thanks bro58.

Makes me wonder why DWP bother contracting Atos in the first instance if DMs can over-ride the HCPS recommendations - what at totally crazy system and a complete waste of money.

If the final prognosis by the DM is classed as a recommendation then who is responsible for altering the times for re-assessments. This entire system appears to be extremely odd to say the least.

del wrote:

bro58 wrote:

del wrote: Previous 2 years ESA85A prognosis shown as at least 24 months, DWP gave 24 month prognosis. Just noticed this time after re-assessment Atos prognosis states longer term but DWP prognosis have given prognosis as 12 months+ and stated in WRAG for 18 months.

Seems strange Atos saying this time the prognosis is longer than their previous assessment yet DWP have made a shorter prognosis this time. Does this mean DWP can over-ride Atos HCP prognosis? Seems odd a medical professional makes a prognosis and a non-medical person can alter it? Bit complicated to explain

Hi d,

I understand where you are coming from here.

All content of an ATOS ESA85/ESA85A Medical Report are simply recommendations.

The DWP DM can over ride any of the above.

Even the final prognosis given by The DM is only a recommendation of when a reassessment should take place, and reassessments can happen at any time after 3 months of any ESA award decision date.

They do tend to abide by the DWP DM's prognosis, in the majority of cases.

bro58

Thanks bro58.

Makes me wonder why DWP bother contracting Atos in the first instance if DMs can over-ride the HCPS recommendations - what at totally crazy system and a complete waste of money.

If the final prognosis by the DM is classed as a recommendation then who is responsible for altering the times for re-assessments. This entire system appears to be extremely odd to say the least.

It is indeed an "odd system".

The official line on this, is that ATOS are contracted by the DWP to provide all medical services in the ESA WCA process, which obviously includes the assessment itself.

DWP DM's have no medical qualifications whatsoever, and are supposed to refer to the ATOS medical report, and all evidence at their disposal, then make a decision applying current ESA legislation, on the balance of probabilities.

Phew, that was a mouth full !!!!

In the main, DWP DM's tend to "rubberstamp" any of the ATOS HCP's recommendations.

bro58