ATOS medical????????

[Miki123]

Hi all looking for some urgent advice.

 

My Partner is an uncontrolled epileptic which was caused by significant brain scarring due to cerebral convulsions as a child. She used to work until the birth of our first daughter 2 1/2 years ago where the pregnancy triggers the seizures.

 

After consulting a neurologist they have tried her on 2 different meds at different dosages but as yet to find one that will stop the seizures. She also suffers from memory and concentration issues and what the doctors think could be fibromyalgia which is yet to be confirmed or denied. Stairs, lifts and fast moving objects, flashing lights and stress have all been known to induce seizures.

 

When my partners maternity leave expired she quit her job and applied for ESA and was placed directly into the Support Group and has been there since.

 

Then suddenly this morning we receive a letter from ATOS stating that an appointment has been arranged for her to attend a medical review in Romford (14 miles from our home) on the 9th Oct 2012. Apparently there are 36 steps to get to the ground floor an the centre is based on the 2nd floor which is nice of then to find a convenient location for disabled people.

 

My questions are:

1) why after 2.5 years of being in the support group have the suddenly changed her over and requested a medical?

 

2) as I'm her carer how am I supposed to attend the medical with her as well as supervise 2 children under the age of 3 as I have no one to leave them with?

 

3) am I allowed to go into the assessment with her especially considering she has memory and concentration issues?

 

4) is there a way we can appeal against the decision of this interview considering they have copies of reports from gp's, neurologists and copies of MRI scans?

 

Or can someone advise on what to do next?

[livvyp]

There's a sticky under Benefits, sub ESA medicals, by leemack. Lots of your questions will be answered by it, I believe. Good luck.

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Your thread may need to be moved to the main benefits forum for wider advice, but I'll leave it here for a bit longer and see how you get on. I have a question and an answer or two for you.

 

You say the assessment is on 9th October, do you mean November please? In some circumstances, if your GP will write to back it, you can request a home visit.

 

3. Yes you can, my OH came to my assessment with me.

 

My best, HB

[liverbird37]

Not sure if it's any help, but I have to go to the Romford branch for my medicals, and there is only a couple of steps into main building, and there are two lifts just a few steps from main door. When you come out of the loft, the waiting room is straight in front of you.

[Nystagmite]

Within the last 2 years, the criteria has changed.

[Miki123]

 

You say the assessment is on 9th October, do you mean November please? In some circumstances, if your GP will write to back it, you can request a home visit.

 

3. Yes you can, my OH came to my assessment with me.

 

My best, HB

 

Oops yep my apologies I did mean November. Kind of wrote in a panic and a rush.

[Miki123]

Within the last 2 years, the criteria has changed.

 

I understand that but ATOS send her a questionnaire every 6 months which we complete and return and have never had this problem until now.

 

When originally applying she was told she earned enough points to be placed directly into the Support Group and never underwent any Medicals. Never had one in the two and a half years of claiming it until the letter received today.

 

I called ESA call centre about 20 mins ago and the woman has advised to put in writing to Glasgow that the journey and obstacles getting to the centre would be cause for concern and to request a home visit but could not answer as to why after 2 1/2 years they suddenly want to do an assessment.

 

Another question is her neurologist told her that she'll never work again, can ATOS over ride that decision and force her to look for work?

[Miki123]

Not sure if it's any help, but I have to go to the Romford branch for my medicals, and there is only a couple of steps into main building, and there are two lifts just a few steps from main door. When you come out of the loft, the waiting room is straight in front of you.

 

Ok I didn't know that. The letter they sent today states on the back that there is no parking in/near the centre and that there are 36 steps to reach the ground floor and that the centre is located on the 2nd and to let them know if you require assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation.

[Nystagmite]

ATOS can override that decision. She can then appeal the decision.

[liverbird37]

Is the address they have given you on Eastern road ?

[Miki123]

Is the address they have given you on Eastern road ?

 

Yes it is. It's Blackburn house

[liverbird37]

Yeah that's the same one I went to. Why they gave you incorrect info I've no idea. There is limited parking, but there is a huge multi storey carpark on western road. They should have given you a map showing you where all the blue badge parking in that vicinity is.

 

There are a lot of car parks, but they all involve some level of walking which is obviously not ideal. The bus stops outside the building, but again, not ideal. You would probably be better asking for a home assessment as already mentioned. The info I gave you earlier is related to the Blackburn house centre though.

All the best.

[count orlok]

If they've said there is no parking I would think it unwise to travel 14 miles on the off chance. I would advise them you are unable to attend as carer cannot, and because of access problems, there fore you will need a home visit.

 

Oh yea and don't forget to tell them you need the medical recorded.

[reallymadwoman]

And whatever ATOS say, home medicals CAN be recorded.

[**Margaret**]

:Miki123:

 

Taking your questions in order cept for number 3 that :honeybee13:'s already answered:

 

1. Jobcentreplus can review a claimant's capability for work whenever they choose to do so.

 

2. Fraid Atos don't care about who's going to look after your children. Any request for a home assessment will have to be supported by a letter or report from a medical professional (preferably a doctor), who's involved in your partner's care, to explain why your partner can't travel to an assessment centre. Unfairly, if your partner can get to the doc's surgery, hospital outpatients, etcetera, she'll be expected to attend an assessment centre.

 

4. Following the interview Atos will send their recommendation about your partner's capability for work to Jobcentreplus for consideration by a decison maker. The eventual decision, which may over-ride the neurologist's opinion, is appealable.

 

Advice on what to do next;

 

Contact the assessment centre (not the ever unhelpful desk) and ask them to look at your partner's file to find out whether she was sent a questionnaire. Atos don't have to send a questionnaire but from what you've written I think it's more likely than not that one's been lost by Royal Mail.

 

Best wishes, have a cheery , Margaret.