Hi, I’m new to your forum, and I’m need of desperate help. My friend Is coming up to my two year deadline regards Atos/ Maximus (I understand it’s not Atos anymore?) so I am completely out of the loop.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He suffers from many of the below from aged 25 years old
*Severe drug use amphetamines cocaine, alcohol for 20+
(Drug use stopped 18 months ago) medication for alcohol and drugs given
*Severe Depression been on-going for 20+ years, antidepressants, medication- (but increased due to father dying suddenly 3 months ago and his elderly mother mom having a stroke recently. – His drinking has gone through the roof 60+ units a weeks at least.
*seen Councillors for drugs and drink for almost two years, up until a few years ago
.*Severe Social anxiety/ and before that extreme agoraphobia- major most severe problem that he was written off work for- 20+ years
*Bdp – (made worse by face damage) body dysmorhpic disorder – on-going
Also BDP worsened by mugging in 2007 -Resulting in an operation- (MAJOR OP.)
(8 years ago) Maxiofacial reconstruction- facial reconstructive surgery- This was two 4 hour operations that were botched within weeks of another and then another massive operation - Zygomatic osteotomy 3 months later - 15 hour op, 8 surgeons. (Traumatic MENTAL recovery took 18 months)
Has on-going hernia problem, operation was pencilled in and missed twice over three years due to on-going mental health issues
Left Knee operation probably required (ligament rupture and miniscule tear in cartilage of left know) and possible lesser in right knee- missed appointment through on-going mental health issues- anti- inflammatory, pain killers given
Weakened Achilles tendons, possibly causing altered gait, causing knee issues- cannot run and limps.
Gastro- stomach problem (collapsed a few years ago- symptoms never followed up as discharged himself from hospital due to anxiety- consultant arranged op for hernia- never went BACK FOR SCAN
These things are all facts but the psychological issues were accepted and written down by THE gp (AND ATOS) but were never followed up by a psychiatrist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
He was written off to such an extent that (Atos twice over a 4 year period attempted to get him into an interview and he DIDN’T EVEN NEED TO ATTEND THE INTERVIEW AFTER THE DR WROTE TO ATOS *BOTH TIMES)
The last appointment request was two years ago (august) and the letter provided by that same GP at the time meant Atos left him alone. But time could be running out!
The dilemma really is this:
1 his original doctor left to go back to the USA. He was progressive and understood the situation!
2 He has since failed to find/ trust any replacement DR at that clinic, he virtually never attended the clinic unless it was, hernia, or knee related or injury related; maybe 5 times in the last two years, Worse he gave up thinking about a future Atos appointment until recently, and because of the way he hasn’t attended interviews, EVER, we don’t know what his current (ATOS) situation is! I.e. SUPPORT GROUP ETC
3 we are guessing that Atos will send him an appointment soon? (But feel we have left it extremely late, if the timing is correct)
As mentioned previously, the last call up was two years ago, which he didn't need to attend, due to the intensity of his Dr's letter (august two years ago)
It would seem that Atos are no longer company that runs this situation. And we are unaware of new guidelines in terms of new appointments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My uninformed approach is to:
1 Get him to see a new GP consistently over next three weeks (providing that is the time Atos /Maximus) send him an appointment and build up a rapport with that GP?
2 then ask for a letter of update?
3 I have spoken to the clinic and the manager and they are willing to get a printout of all medical records and all previous correspondence with his old good GP to send to Atos /Maximus but this will be two years old. Would that still help?
4 if we do manage to see a new GP (patient friendly!) And build up a good rapport and then get a more or less updated full report?
4a would it be best to DEFINITELY get the (possible impending) appointment in august delayed somehow, and if so how would we go about this?
5 I suppose most important question is the two year gap a problem?
5a would ringing Atos to find out his current situation be positive or would that just remind them and hasten the process
6 does the two year medical rule still applies in terms of being served an interview notice?
My MAIN questions are-
1 what is the criteria required to pass the ‘Atos’ medical or indeed in my client’s case not need to attend. Are they the same as before? Is there still a two year reapplication rule for a medical? What’s forms need to be read or groups can one be placed in nowadays?
2 will it be now difficult to ‘prove’ my clients illness, due to the fact he didn’t really see any new DR’s in the last two years, in a capacity to dealing with the psychological issues or at least attending consistently - i.e. he has been ‘off the radar?’
3 the length of time between a GP letter for Atos, almost two years ago) and now? - a patient can’t just turn up to a NEW GP and demand a letter to write him off work for two years.
4 any important info needed for the current system/ company Maximus? Is there any more information that I need to know to pass on to the current GP he is about to see?
5 any links to information and help/ professional forum or otherwise as I’m running out of time to help this person! Has it been left too late?
6 is it essential to bring proof ALL proof of, physical injuries that have affected him, i.e. hernia, knee, face x-rays, letters appointments, etc. and that some of these injuries that would have also affected his mental well-being. For instance the massive op on his face? Maybe getting a personal letter from his surgeon even if the op was years ago?
You have to remember my client is ill and he’s going to have to approach a new GP, and ask for a letter?
I have been advised by the manager of the clinic (who is not a GP) to see the DR first and explain all issues so they can get to know the patient. INSTEAD of just asking for a Dr’s letter, as this may seem manipulative to the GP?
I am loath to offer any advice that could possibly hinder my client’s success at an appointment or (preferably an abstention from a medial interview in the first place!)
Finally I am not personally an advocate-
Are there any private advocates or free ones that you can get that thoroughly know the maximus/benefit medical interview system? So they can go with my client? And can you point me to a guideline for passing said interviews. As stated before through my client has had letters that have meant he has never needed to attend the previous two interviews! Would this still be the case? PLEASE HELP AS IT’S URGENT ON BEHALF OF A GOOD PERSON IN A BAD SITUATION.
