This is still going on today. They were given my number by mistake and despite contacting Caversham they still make many calls to my home number even though I`m not a customer of theirs. best of all though, they`re so dumb they left messages on my answering machine saying who it was and who they were.

I personally think the only way this will change is after someone wins a `medical malpractice` claim. I know for a fact I`ve got in writing that the AtoS nurse claims that in her `professional opinion` I`m fit to work and my condition will not change. A class action by people who have appealed and had the decision of the HCP working for AtoS over ruled by a real doctor is the only way I see the current situation changing. Just my opinion and you may or may not agree.

I know what you mean about being pushed over the edge. Thanks to AtoS I`m now on even more tablets to help with anxiety, panic attacks and depression.

Good luck. It only helps your case when they see you. I felt like a trapped rat with big ugly tom cat on my case. The tribunal isn`t there to get as many people off benefits as possible. Unlike AtoS they are thinking for themselfs, within the law, and are not being prompted by a piece of software that`s pre-programed to certify you fit to work.

Unlike the profesionals who work for Atos the doctor at the hearing is actually qualified and knows what they`re doing. At least in my case anyway. Good luck.

Hi Ruby, I`ve not been on here much lately but I remember you being the victim of AtoS around the same time as me. I had my appeal heard without my rep, who`s stuck out of the country at the moment. They asked if I wanted to postpone until a later. I told them that after 7 months I wanted to get it over with but was also unsure as my rep wasn`t with me. They asked the questions and asked me how I was feeling and coping with things. I was also asked about things I had complained of in my initial letter of appeal. The doctor was the one asking the questions. They wanted to know how I was at the time of the medical and also if things had changed since then as well. They had been in touch with my doctors as well so knew something about my condition. I also changed my rep at the begining of February who got it delayed so they could contact my doctors. I don`t know if this helps at all but has sick as I felt it did go better than I thought. It is also one of your rights to have a rep with you, something to do with basic human rights.

Sorry for the late reply. Yes I`m a single person. Thanks for the advice.

Hi, just a simple question, I thought. I`ve had the medical with AtoS, who say I can work. My Dr says different but he also says that he can not give me a sick note for the same illness. He did say he`s happy to provide a letter stating he doesn`t think I`m able to work though. This I find hard to believe but that`s what my Dr said.The DWP are being as helpful as ever. So can anyone tell me what benefit I`m supposed claim? I`m appealing against the decission and have sent the appeal form in and had the usual reply from the DWP.

No problem, it`s just you`d not believe what some of the staff can be like. Although the majority are ok some are far from helpful.

@MRSWESTHAM maybe because they insist on applying the rules with no leeway. They should all be taught that `things you can do` is not the same as `things you have to do`. If they can`t understand basic English then they should not be in a position that carries so much responsibility. Until you have experianced how petty and small minded some people who work in the job center are you wouldn`t believe what some of them are like. Not shouting at you, just a sad fact of being a `customer` of the job center.

This is the best idea I have heard for a very long time. It is the very least we can do in memory of our fallen heroes.

I`ve been in touch with CLA people myself and as far as i`m concerned they are FAR more helpfull than anyone at DWP/IB/IS etc. In my case the person dealing with me has said they can help finding someone to represent me at my appeal, whenever that is.

@Ruby I will be watching this space. While I`m here, got lots a form filling to do, on my report they got my age wrong! How`s that for a medical report then. There are a lot more errors in it. They make a really big issue about things that I was not asked. They also twist answers and even say `claims to have` in other parts. I`ve now got more than enough, IMHO, to prove the the test was bogus. Got to get legal advice on this issue so can`t really go in to it much more. I really wish I`d had the forsight to record the entire assessment.

I contacted community legal advice Benefits and tax credits There is a contact us by e-mail box. I contacted them and they are helping me now. They get back to very quickly.

I can just picture being outside the place, with a placard saying `If you can get here then you can work` That would ruffle a few feathers.

I found this information on the committee in parliament Work and Pensions Clerks: Mr James Rhys & Miss Emma Graham Members: 11 Nominated: 11 July 2005 Committee enquiries: 020 7219 5833/5832 Link to Work and Pensions Committee internet pages Mr Terry Rooney (Chairman)----------- Bradford North---------Labour Miss Anne Begg -----------------------Aberdeen South------- Labour Harry Cohen -------------------------- Leyton & Wanstead----Labour Michael Jabez Foster-------------------Hastings & Rye---------Labour Mr Mark Harper-------------------------Forest of Dean--------Conservative Mr Oliver-------------------------------Heald North East Hertfordshire--- Conservative John Howell---------------------------Henley----------------- Conservative Mrs Joan Humble----------------------- Blackpool North & Fleetwood------Labour Tom Levitt-----------------------------HighPeak---------------Labour Greg Mulholland-------------------------Leeds North West------Liberal Democrat Jenny Willott---------------------------Cardiff Centra---------- Liberal Democrat I find it hard to believe they are not aware of the state things are in, but we are talking about MPs here so you never know. They don`t have any power to change anything themselfs. They do have the ability to get an answer from the minister in charge. At the very least it is a start, though. @ruby they would most likely try to have you arrested. In Manchester their office is buried inside other offices and they have a securty guard.

Sorry didn`t realise I`d done it.

The last 2 paragraphs of the appeals report say it all. Things can only get worse and they have. @ruby tuesday Do you know who the decision makers are? Everyone in government appers to be an expert in passing the buck and ducking responsibity. I don`t mind e-mailing them or even sending letters untill they do something.

They might find out they don`t need 3 people to do what 1 could do. And they wouldn`t want 1 of their own out of work would they.

Another reason to record any contact with the DWP. Or am I just being `paranoid`.

For some strange reason I am not surprised. The fact that this has been allowed to go on for so long with so much criticism just goes to show how wrong this entire system. And the fact that the powers that be don`t care about the number of apeals that reverse the AtoS assessment is no big surprise either. This entire system needs changing. So far the only changes that have been made are in the wrong direction.

One of the advantages of the software is `immediate access to information based on up-to-date medical information and opinion` Which would be ok in my opinion, IF they actually had your GPs opinion. Or even contacted them in the first place. After all wouldn`t it be less expensive if they just paid the persons GP for their opinion on the persons ability to work. instead of the cost of so many apeals and tribunals. After all these idiots are making life changing decisions based on an incomplete medical report. A bit like writing a report of a football match without even being there.

I`ve been doing a bit of searching trying to see how the bogus medical conducted by AtoS Origin works. I found this report about how it Welfare Rights Bulletin 189: The computer says no - electronic incapacity reports Not surprising how they can declare someone fit to work when they are clearly unable to work. It even confirms that it does not have to be a Dr who carries out the assessment. It also points out how a single incorrect answer can effect the rest of the questions and answers that are asked. How messed up is this?

You are right about recording a conversation. I was thinking of phone calls. My mistake.

Just been reading on another forum that even if they do have to come to your home they can still say your fit for work. Unbelievable.