Pip prosethis aid advice

Pip appointment questions

Hi all just been notified of a pip medical next week. This has raised anxiety through the roof and would like to ask some questions about the medical. The health care provider is atos.

1. Are we to late to request the medical to be recorded? does atos provide equipment to enable recording or do we and if so is it sufficient to turn up with capable recording devices on the day that can give them a copy as well as our own or can they refuse to be recorded despite having 2 suitable recording devices.

2. Can we submit paperwork on the day that gives a more detailed account of the severity of injuries and insist these are also passed to the dwp so they are included if we have to go to appeal stage? This is just a more detailed explanation of injuries and timeframes not further medical evidence as we would not be able to get an appointment in time.

3. Having read reports by 2 nurses who previously were employed by atos to carry out dwp medicals we are concerned. Both of these nurse's resigned in disgust at the way they were 'trained' to draw their conclusions on a disabled persons health. These were some of the examples:

If you smiled at the interview you could not be suffering with depression.

If you had eye contact with the examiner you did not suffer from anxiety/depression and it proved that you could deal with strangers.

If your hair was brushed, nails cut, clothes clean etc you were well presented and therefore could not be suffering with depression/anxiety

That you were deemed not to suffer from anxiety/depression unless you had a panic attack during the medical.

If you had a mobile phone even if it was never used and claimed it was for "medical emergencies" it was to be deemed that you had no dexterity issues as you could press buttons, that you had no anxiety issues as anyone could phone you which meant you didn't feel anxious when speaking to strangers.

That the examiner will shake your hand at the start of the interview and you will be asked to sign some paperwork, both proving you have no dexterity issues.

That if you claim to be unsafe during cooking etc that it will only be counted if an incident has occurred that has required emergency services.

These are just some of the examples but this has us really concerned and hope one of the mods can give us some guidance about this.


4. Would it be advisable to take copies of the medical information already supplied with the pip2 form in the event the examiner doesn't have them?

5. Is it ok to ask the examiners qualification and if they are a nurse/physiotherapist to question if they are qualified to refute the medical information supplied by our doctors/consultants.

6. Is the best approach to be defensive throughout the medical?

7. Having been ill health retired by the government we fail to see why my partner has been called for a medical, the requirement for ill health retirement is permanent incapacity, no further medical intervention possible, all medical avenue's explored, no reasonable adjustments could be made to continue employment which included being transferred to any number of government jobs.

8, Finally I have paperwork which shows the government admitting and apologising for disability discrimination and harassment this hopefully explains some of our anxiety/depression issues. I am unsure if passing this to atos would come under the official secrets act so pretty sure it wouldn't be a good idea. However dwp staff will be covered by the same official secrets act, would it be advisable to submit this to them? or to wait and see if a MR is required. If it is then paperwork submitted at the MR stage is that included in appeal paperwork?

Apologies for the numerous questions, in truth I am very surprised that a medical has been called for, I am actually wondering if the health care provider actually reads the forms/medical information before making an appointment.

Thank you Gordon

We will try and source some suitable recording devices, failing that I intend to take notes throughout the medical which I assume is allowed?

Are you allowed to request to see what the assessor has written at the end of the interview? or ask what points they intend to award?

When undergoing a medical are you being video taped?

Following on from question 3, in your experience is it as severe as the examples I quoted or is that perhaps disgruntled ex employees exaggerating the extent that they make snap judgements on appearance etc. Also worth pointing out the nurses in question were possibly involved at the earlier stages of pip which I guess may have been more brutal than it is now or perhaps that's wishful thinking!

I understand none of the advice is legally binding on the forum but it is better to be forewarned about the severity of the medical experience.

Is there any information regarding Salus? have tried doing a search but not finding very much about them. My main query is in the guide it tells you the break down of nurses, physios, doctors employed by atos to carry out medicial exams.

I would like to know what staff Salus use as from what I can see they are part of the NHS? Does that mean everyone Salus uses are Doctors? Does that mean that they have access to your medical records without having to write to your GP?

Have only just realised that our appointment is with Salus, didn't realise they existed and don't think I had seen their name mentioned in the guide, although I may have missed it. I know the forum isn't always updated over a weekend but if possible a reply today would be very helpful.

Thanks

John wrote: Is there any information regarding Salus? have tried doing a search but not finding very much about them. My main query is in the guide it tells you the break down of nurses, physios, doctors employed by atos to carry out medicial exams.

I would like to know what staff Salus use as from what I can see they are part of the NHS? Does that mean everyone Salus uses are Doctors? Does that mean that they have access to your medical records without having to write to your GP?

Have only just realised that our appointment is with Salus, didn't realise they existed and don't think I had seen their name mentioned in the guide, although I may have missed it. I know the forum isn't always updated over a weekend but if possible a reply today would be very helpful.

Thanks

Hi J,

I don't really know much regarding Salus either, other than I found on the internet : Here .

We are aware that ATOS do contract out some PIP assessments in Scotland, and they do use other organisations premises elsewhere.

Whoever carries out the assessment will have to be an approved Disability Analyst recognised by The Secretary of State and the PIP Assessment will follow the normal format.

bro58