ATOS ignoring specific requests

Some weeks ago, I received the standard application form (ESA20) as I am to be migrated from IB to ESA.

Following advice on these forums, I submitted many documents concerning my on-going treatment, my condition and details of currently prescribed medication. I also included a hand-written letter from my GP indicating that I was unfit for work of any kind and supporting my claim.

In a covering letter submitted along with the information, I specifically requested that in the event of me being summoned for a medical examination, that I be granted an AM appointment, as my pain worsens with the progression of the day, and that I ought to be given the best chance of getting to the venue with the least possible stress.

Today I have received a letter from ATOS instructing me to attend an examination centre in the late afternoon of a future date. I am utterly appalled at this. It is simply unacceptable. I will have to be accompanied by my wife on the day ans she, too has mobility problems, so it will be arduous for us both when in need not be.

I am firmly of the opinion that if ANY person with medical knowledge had taken the time and effort to read the forms I had sent, there would be no need to attend a medical at all. Not only have they ignored everything, including my doctor, but they have compounded this by giving me an appointment at the opposite end of the day to which I requested.

What an absolute joke. The system stinks and it is a farce. I have already penned a letter to my M.P. complaining to him in the strongest possible terms. What to do next I have no idea. I am at my wits end.

As far as I am aware, the ATOS staff who make the appointments have no access to the paperwork submitted by the claimant. You are entitled to cancel one appointment without any problem, if you do this on the phone you might be able to rearrange something that is more suitable for you.

Thanks for your response Mrs.H

The covering letter I submitted contained the request. Presumably they will have had access to that, as it contained no confidential details.

All medical information was securely attached to the application form, in the hope that someone might actually take the time and trouble to read it - which is presumably what they are there to do..

In any event, the request I made was for the attention of the people making the appointment.

I'll see if a phone call gets me anywhere, but the way this fiasco is rumbling along, I have my doubts.

Hi TC,

Please see the ATOS Website for contact details :

www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants

Or :

Phone : 0113 230 9175. Or E-Mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You might want to make any requests in the form of a formal written request for Reasonable Adjustments, covered by sections 20-22 of EA 2010.

This News Story may interest you :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/2252-atos...stress-by-assessment

bro58

I have been giving this some thought following your reply. If ATOS have no access to the paperwork I submitted, then who does ? What is the point of submitting a file of medical evidence at the time of returning the ESA50 if no-one is going to have access to it ? All the return envelopes are SAE to ATOS.

Further, wouldn't it be in everyone's interest to properly consider the claims and actually READ the submitted documents, before summoning people to appointments?

I am flabbergasted that one set of people are seemingly making appointments completely without access to the facts, whilst another lot elsewhere are supposedly assessing the claims.

Is there some possibility therefore, that despite being summoned to the appointment, someone will consider the claim in the interim period and decide that a decision can be made from information already submitted and that attending the ATOS centre is not necessary ?

I cannot believe the money that is being thrown away on this exercise and the sheer ignorance of the people 'running the show'. It beggars belief.