I have to attend an ATOS 'medical'

[sofa-8]

hi ive also just got a letter from atos asking me to come to a face to face in November I filled in the form a something 50 something form 15 monthes ago and im very sressed and worried all these horror stories any advice please.

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG. I've started a new thread for you.

 

I expect the forum guys will be along later with advice for you. In the meantime, I'll look for the forum stikky about the assessment and post up a link for you.

 

My best, HB

[honeybee13]

Me again. Here's a link to the forum stikky, I hope it helps you.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?287253-esa-medicals

 

HB

[sofa-8]

hi honeybee13 thank you so much for your reply and help,i forgot to say I suffer from mental health problems im so worried im very tearfull which sounds daft being a bloke,but with these people you always have to prove that your ill and ive heard they still don't listen,think im making my wife ill too as she has panick attacks kind regards.

[honeybee13]

Hello again.

 

I know how it feels, I've been there too. Because they can't x-ray you to see what your brain is doing, you feel they don't believe how you feel.

 

Please read the stikky when you feel able and if it doesn't help I'll try to find you more information.

 

I think you'll be OK.

 

HB

[sofa-8]

hi honeybee13 thank you so much I will my wife is coming with me so should help but shes ill due to years with me thanks again kind regards.

[honeybee13]

Hello again.

 

My OH came to the assessment with me, I couldn't have handled it on my own. Your wife sounds like a trooper, I hope we can help both of you.

 

Hugs, HB

[reallymadwoman]

My only advice would be to never, ever go on your own and don't make any special effort to tidy up/hide how you feel. Try to be how you would be on any other day.

[Lilly_Monroe]

My only advice would be to never, ever go on your own and don't make any special effort to tidy up/hide how you feel. Try to be how you would be on any other day.

 

I went on my own (I had no choice) I was placed in the WRAG group, which then with the help of my CPN was altered to the support group.

Just tell the truth.

 

Good Luck.

[sofa-8]

My only advice would be to never, ever go on your own and don't make any special effort to tidy up/hide how you feel. Try to be how you would be on any other day.

 

 

 

hi thank you very much for your advise,my wife is coming with me for support ive heard that atos people try to trick you or lie , I will keep all you said in mind thanks so much its very kind of you I will let you know what happens kind regards.

[sofa-8]

hi lilly Monroe ,yes my wife is going with me for support as after 32 years she know what im like more than anyone,im sorry you had to go on your own and im glad it worked out ok for you its just so much stress and anxiety,i have a horrible feeling that there ither put me on job seekers or the wrag group where they force you to go for job center interviews etc,as I don't see my doctor much,ive had people come around in the past from mental health department all they say is anxiety wont kill you ,they don't understand,im always very tearfull and am now getting very angry at the situation as ive been like this for some years with no real support my wife has asked our doctor for help and support so hes making a house call next week but my wife did have to insist and getting upset herself,but shes not great ither as ive taken a toll on her health too im ashamed to say,but these people push and push till you cant take it anymore,sorry to go on and on kind regards and thanks again ill let you know how I get on fingers crossed.

[Lilly_Monroe]

hi lilly Monroe ,yes my wife is going with me for support as after 32 years she know what im like more than anyone,im sorry you had to go on your own and im glad it worked out ok for you its just so much stress and anxiety,i have a horrible feeling that there ither put me on job seekers or the wrag group where they force you to go for job center interviews etc,as I don't see my doctor much,ive had people come around in the past from mental health department all they say is anxiety wont kill you ,they don't understand,im always very tearfull and am now getting very angry at the situation as ive been like this for some years with no real support my wife has asked our doctor for help and support so hes making a house call next week but my wife did have to insist and getting upset herself,but shes not great ither as ive taken a toll on her health too im ashamed to say,but these people push and push till you cant take it anymore,sorry to go on and on kind regards and thanks again ill let you know how I get on fingers crossed.

 

 

You must keep asking for support, and help.

MY doctor was/is very good he recommended me for counseling, you have to sort of the climb the ladder, until you get the help you need, but they assess you along the way which has been great for me.

 

I have had two medicals with ATOS and I have to say they have both been fair with me, and I did not notice any trying to trick. The second medical I did think I would fail, but he left me in the WRAG group, which I later appealed with the help of my CPN.

 

I know how you feel, but keep fighting, lots of good info on here, and lots of people been through it all, so you are not alone (although I know it seems like it as times).

 

I wish you well, and fingers and toes all crossed for you.

[sofa-8]

hi lilly Monroe thank you again for your advise and kind words of support it means so much, I will keep asking for help thanks, im not going till the start of November so got a couple of weeks to worry and when ive been I suppose it will be 2 weeks plus until I hear,its so strange as my sister/wife helped me fill in the large form its the 50 something form but that was 15 months ago why keep me hanging for that long until the dwp ask atos to see me weird eh ? once again thanks your kind words has helped me ill keep you informed when I know kind regards as always.

[sofa-8]

ps sorry to be a pain regards.

[reallymadwoman]

ATOS have huge backlogs and waiting 15 months is not that unusual. I waited two years for my medical.

 

As to how long you'll have to wait afterwards - who knows? DWP have some backlogs too, so it could be a while.

[Stigman]

You can also ring ATOS before your appointment and request that it is recorded, it is explained in the notes section in the booklet that came with your appointment date.

 

When you filled out your ESA50, did you keep a copy? If so have a read through to fully refresh and to see if you have got worse since sending off and your appointment date.

 

If you have severe mobility or mental health issues, you can request a home visit, you will need supporting letters from both your GP and suport workers etc.

Please also note that for the letter to be accepted by ATOS (ATOS have stupid guidelines on what the letter should say), the GP/Support Worker etc. must state the reasons why & by starting the letter "In my professional opinion".

 

Stigman