Atos Medical - Home Visit

[dmgc01]

Hi guys

I have a home visit due for a Atos medical - next Tuesday. Have read up loads previously but as its such short notice I've gone into 'freeze mode'!!

I've been through the medical procedure before (long story) but never a home visit. If anyone has been through this ghastly experience I would be ever so grateful for any advice........

[bodge]

If you have an illness or disability thats genuine I am sure you will be alright as ghastly as a home visit might be, dont fret yourself over it your probably worrying over nothing. They may consider themselves to be the "Health Police" but dont worry till its done and the decisions are made.

[dmgc01]

Bodge - if you have ever had the pleasure of Atos up your backside then you wouldn't be so flippant. Having a genuine illness I failed once before, appealed and won. I was asking for advice not a verbal sedative..

[bodge]

I wasnt be flippant and I wasnt being sedative. If your having a home visit the only thing you can do is let it happen and then deal with it after. You cant do anything about a home visit except have it. When you know what your dealing with then you can take the appropriate action if its needed. Jeez people have become really touchy.

[tr0niks]

Hi dmgc01

Have had experiences in past with ATOS/DWP/tribunals and expect to have to deal with them again in next few months.

Good move having a home visit, much better than going to them.

I have posted some comments about ATOS already here: http://www.tpuc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=36418 and here http://www.tpuc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=36418. 2nd topic has some useful links for more research.

My strategy for the medical is stay in honour but put them in a situation where they may not wish to conduct examination. Also, to capture as much evidence to use against them if a tribunal is needed. To do this, I suggest:

1. Record the examination and have a witness taking lots of notes (preferably someone who can do shorthand, or fake it) don't ever disclose the recording but create an accurate verbatim report of every word.

2. Get everything prepared - have all your papers to hand. I made the mistake of having to walk 3 steps across the room to get a document and it was used as assessment of my walking ability. Have a copy of your questionnaire open in front of you so you can read the information back to them.

3. Get full info about "doctor": name, contact details,qualifications,experience,membership ref for professional bodies etc. Best option I can think of for this is give them a form to fill in with a declaration to sign.

4. They normally need you to sign a consent form - do it "under duress" and have ATOS letter to confirm threat to stop benefits.

5. Take plenty of time with everything - they have a set time for each visit.

6. If they try closed questions (yes or no answers only) ask them to explain the question more, or just ignore them and answer the question with a detailed statement of what you want to say. If they insist you only answer yes or no, then answer all subsequent questions "yes or no".

Hope some of this gives you some ideas how to get through this. I haven't had chance to test all this out so if you can give us some feedback afterwards I would really appreciate it.

[dmgc01]

To trOniks

Thank you so much this is the sort of help/info I was hoping for.......perfect - you are a diamond and yes of course I will let you know how it goes. Much appreciated.....

[dmgc01]

Bodge my apologies for snapping..... it's an Atos effect

[bodge]

I am so glad I dont need to have anything to do with that system its far too intrusive for me but the problem is there far too many people screwing the system.

[M0JFK]

Far to many screwing the system Bodge? may I remind you that those people screwing the system went years and years ago, now they are after genuine sick people and ATOS are the hit squad...this mans as already been put on job seekers the moment his name poped up on the system for a home visit...BET YOU?

ATOS did an interview with a chap who died at the interview with them and on the day of his burial got a letter back from ATOS saying he is fit for Job Seekers AND I AINT JOKING and the moment I find the link I will post it up.

An ATOS worker suffering from M.E. all her life became so ill with it ATOS sacked her and said she was unfit for work, then when she went to claim Disability they sent her to ATOS for a review and then was classed fit for work and put on Job Seekers Allowance. That case was on TV.

One guy in hospital got a visit from ATOS and he was on an Iron lung..found him fit for work too.

When they are paid more to find you fit for work and able to go on job seekers guess what they are going to find you? FIT FOR WORK.

They did my sister and she as tried to kill herself 3 times and even sent out a doctor who was not a doctor after we checked and they tried to say they sacked him so my sister would not take it further..got that one wrong because we found out they never did sack him even though we had the letter saying they had...f-ing liers from top to bottom they are AND THEY LIE on the reports to about you...total lies.

[M0JFK]

Liars sorry my spelling at times is bloody horrible.