DISTANCE TO ASSESSMENTS / OVER-BOOKING

I had to got for ESA Assessment recently, a trip that was 90 minutes away. When I got there they told me I would have to come back again another day as they "could not see me" due to over-booking. I needed a lift to get there and the driver had to take a day off work. We had to bring with me my 8 month old baby. To say that I was uncomfortable and that the centre was not equipped to meet my needs was an under-statement. Despite a doctors letter, I was denied a home visit.

Fortunately??? I flipped out due to the stress and the level of organisation it had taken for me to GET THERE. I burst into tears and had a hissy fit. They agreed to see me, though I waited 2 hours. This did not endear me to the rest of the waiting room.

The first thing the nurse says during the assessment is "how come you didn't get a home visit".

Charlie wrote: I had to got for ESA Assessment recently, a trip that was 90 minutes away. When I got there they told me I would have to come back again another day as they "could not see me" due to over-booking. I needed a lift to get there and the driver had to take a day off work. We had to bring with me my 8 month old baby. To say that I was uncomfortable and that the centre was not equipped to meet my needs was an under-statement. Despite a doctors letter, I was denied a home visit.

Fortunately??? I flipped out due to the stress and the level of organisation it had taken for me to GET THERE. I burst into tears and had a hissy fit. They agreed to see me, though I waited 2 hours. This did not endear me to the rest of the waiting room.

The first thing the nurse says during the assessment is "how come you didn't get a home visit".

Hi C,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

I am afraid there is nothing new here !

Prior to Maximus taking over The ESA WCA last year, ATOS operated in much the same way.

In fact many of ATOS's staff moved over to Maximus.

They have always double and triple booked appointments, which they say is to ensure a steady flow of assessments !

They also have trouble recruiting staff and suffer a lot of "sick leave" ironically !!

People who suffer having their assessments being cancelled at the Assessment Centre can complain to their M.P. and Maximus :

Contacting your MP

Contact The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (aka HAAS) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15.

See the recent News Articles : Here and Here.

See also : This Post in the Spotlight Area above the forum.

bro58