Hard to access PIP assessment appointments

Hello everyone,
In my recent PIP application - I asked if I could have a home assessment if at all possible (I had one for DLA and he was a real-life doctor!)
However, as expected, my letter from Atos asked me to attend an assessment centre.
The centre is in the next town and about 45 minutes by car ( an hour by public transport).
I rang immediately and the operative was able to check why I had not been offered a home appointment., Apparently it is because I have made short trips out and am not wholly housebound.
I pointed out that I am currently unable to make a long car journey. Guess what? There just happens to be an alternative centre within my own postcode.
It is about 7 minutes away and I have secured a much earlier appointment - which gives me a little less time to prepare - but at least it shortens the time that I'll have the sword of Damocles hanging over me.
This idiotic sending of sick and worried people on long, unnecessary journeys - is either the result of incompetence or insensitivity. However, I am rather inclined to think that it might even be part 1 of the assessment itself! Having done a little research, I have been forewarned about the surveillance cameras that will track us from the moment we arrive.

It does sometimes smack of deliberate conspiracy to send people on unnecessary journeys but it could just be incompetence. They are that bad.

Did you not get a GP letter supporting your request for ahome visit? That usually works.

However you now have an appointment round the corner so good luck.

Thanks for that!
Unfortunately, my GP is away and I can't see him until after the date of the appointment.
The ruling seems to be that you have to be terminal or totally housebound to qualify for an Atos home visit. I did tell them I was currently bed-bound, but at least I won't be as uncomfortable as I would have been by travelling to another town - I'll have to go straight back to bed when we get back though!