ATOS medical on 2nd April!

emmared

Well I've got the dreaded letter and instantly felt sick!
So looking for advice on what to expect and what I need to do or take with me on the day.
I'm not happy that its on my daughters birthday.
Been really achy at moment and waiting for my next rituximab infusion that due April.
So any advice please guys xxx

toady

Have been through this so will pop in tomorrow if others haven't covered the main points by then. Quite a few going through the same lately so there should be a fair bit of info to pool.

barbara12

Hi emmared
These letters seem to be coming thick and fast...sorry I cant help but I am sure someone will be along soon...good Luck with it x

maria09

Hi
I know it's fairly soon so first important thing to do is ask for your assessment to be recorded its a must! It has been available since 2011 but they neglect to inform you! I wish I had know that before I had mine
There are many posts on here regarding ESA and ATOS it's worth a look around! Many of us had zero points so all appealing
I wish you well if it helps you can pm me
Best wishes
Maria

toady

Hi again, here are a few things to bear in mind from what I've read & personal experience.

Good advice to have it recorded (request in writing), they don't use it as part of the decision maker's 'verdict' but it's there as a backup and also presumably puts the examiner on their best behaviour so to speak.

As unsure says, get someone to take you as otherwise you will have coped with many of the things that are under scrutiny before you even get there, ie travelling, so maybe walking to public transport, standing, or driving. Depending how far your medical centre is, you will have had to do some sitting even if in a car so hopefully that will tie in with how long you say you can sit comfortably. Same goes with sitting in waiting room and in the assessment itself. General opinion is that you will be observed arriving, so try to get dropped nearby if you are claiming walking difficulty, because even if it is an effort & you wouldn't always do it but push yourself on the day, the effort bit may get downplayed & just count as 'yes, you can walk that far'. Same goes for observing how you walk from waiting room to medical room, can be upstairs or a fair way apart. Supposedly you are recorded in the waiting room too (don't know if that is definitely true) but on the safe side maybe don't sit using a mobile or chat about any plans you have etc, it can all count as evidence you have a thriving social life! (daft I know).

In the interview, the examiner will be typing into a computer-based system that they use, so there will be pauses while they do that. Here are links to some questions you may be asked, I have to say mine did not really go like these examples so it's only a guide.
http://dwpexamination.wordpress.com/questions-you-may-be-asked/
http://dwpexamination.org/forum/useful-templates/questions-you-maywill-be-asked-at-your-medical-1/

_______________
A few things to remember are:

Think through some of the things you might be asked and get an idea of your answers based on how you really are - it's surprising how you can kid yourself you do more than you think.

Be consistent, try not to contradict yourself (ie say you can't sit long but then say your hobbies include going to football matches, for a silly example).

Don't elaborate too much on your answers as there is more chance you'll give them something to use against you.

Don't answer ''Yes, but..'' to too many things (for example 'can you do your own shopping', 'Yes, but with difficulty & lots of rests') as they can then take Yes as your answer and conveniently ignore the other bits (though with recording that should be a lot less likely). Better to say things like 'not very often' or 'only with help' etc.

And a very important point is to keep repeating yourself about how often you can do things, as they are supposed to be judging what you can do based on what would be reasonably often, ie NOT if you can do a fairly long walk once in a blue moon but not again all month.
______________

Very good luck, & try not to scare yourself too much reading the worst horror stories on the internet, my experience was not so bad as some, so it varies but definitely keep an open mind and keep your guard up even if your medical examiner seems very nice!

toady.


Also, don't know if you have filled in ESA50, but if you haven't already sent off supporting evidence from GP consultant etc, you can round some up & take it with you, they are apparently supposed to contact your drs etc themselves but it seems they often don't.

wall1409

I have just had one for DLA , they came to my home and although I read all the warnings of how things get twisted etc, it went ok and I was awarded full dla, not bad considering I was turned down in June reapplied in Oct, turned down again but this time i ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN as I was sick of them by then and GP who visited actually said to me, "there is definatley something going on here with nerve damage". I have only been awarded till Oct 2014 then I will go to PIP so its wait and see. Good luck everyone as this gov is crippling everyone.

emmared

Thanks for the replies I will def ask for it to be recorded. Hubby is taking me to the place and it is only 20mins away so not too bad.
Just wish it wasn't on my daughters birthday

toady

^ yeah that's mean timing for you you could say April 1st would've been more apt. :roll:

emmared

Well I thought it was going to be at a proper medical center umm no its in a high rise building just read leaflet and its on 2nd floor and there's no parking! This just gets better! Also says if there is a fire I won't be able to use lift so will I be able to manage 54 stairs!!! This is a bloody joke.
Why have a medical for disabled people on the 2nd floor and no parking!

sallyann14

Hi emmared. Think we are all dreading this one, i dont understand why you can have a letter stating "for life" and then they decide to haul us in to be re-examined... well, what i really wanted to say was good luck for this appointment and let us all know how it goes, will be thinking of you and a Happy Birthday for your daughter for that day too... Sally.xx

frogmorton

sallyann14 wrote:

Hi emmared. Think we are all dreading this one, i dont understand why you can have a letter stating "for life" and then they decide to haul us in to be re-examined... well, what i really wanted to say was good luck for this appointment and let us all know how it goes, will be thinking of you and a Happy Birthday for your daughter for that day too... Sally.xx

They did away with lifetime awards a bit back ready for this and changed it to 'indefinite award' so they can call you back anytime they choose :roll:

I am with Sally too all the very best Emma

love

Toni xx

maria09

Hi
Just in case I forget Good Luck for the second
Make sure you need assistance when you get out of chairs don't open the doors let them do it! Mine stated I could open door with right hand well that's a lie I'm left handed for everything except writing!
Sock it to em
Hope you can still celebrate your daughters birthday
Maria

sallyann14

emmared
Just wanted to say a good luck for tomorrow. Will be thinking of you and dont forget to let us know how it goes (and whats involved :shock: !! )
lots of love
Sally
x

toady

^ developments mean that appt got cancelled (unless anything has changed again since this http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/forums/living-with-arthritis-forum-f8/update-on-medical-on-2nd-t37991.html) so just thought i'd mention it for anyone else reading (trying not to sound like a knowall; probably failing.. )