PIP Consultation Centre - Cottage Rd, Islington

Has anyone been there/know anything about this place - F2F tomorrow

From DWP's letter + google maps, there's just a "drop off" place outside,, no disabled parking, "limited" parking outside +nearest car park c 1/3 mile away!

It looks like the usual modern building with long corridors so mobility(High for DLA) likely to be zapped but all and any info welcome!

A

In any event, will post info tomorrow

Good luck Alex (not that luck should come into it!). Our PIP guide explains what to expect from the appointment.

Thanks Mrs H!

Have now returned from assessment - of anyone else is going there it's actually not bad - apart from impossibility of parking.


Brief summary re today – likely to be a complete disaster. I don’t know the assessor’s background but she couldn't pronounce my medication(s) + didn’t know what they were; couldn’t pronounce conditions + didn’t know what they were. I do not, obviously, consider coeliac disease to be a “disease” (include on GP’s advice) but, not knowing what it was, she seemed to have seized on the “disease” bit and asked how I controlled it, what medication did I take?!

Left side hemi paresis (following childhood stroke) definitely more of a problem but, other than asking did this affect my left side{!), she did not ask, and would not let me tell her anything about it.

This is looking very, very bad so I do think that, if at all possible help will be needed – how on earth can the DWP (albeit via Atos) possibly employ someone to do a quasi-medical assessment who seems to have v v v little medical knowledge?

Oh a bit, I think, of what might make you laugh – try this one in the office – what’s the difference between 50 and 500? This, BTW is the cognitive test!

There was loads, loads more of idiocies I would never have thought possible - she had absolutely NOT read the form.

Should I complain now (if at all?) or wait for the result letter.

Plus, has anyone had any success based on this sort of thing - an assessor seeming to have v v v little medical training or expertise?

Many thanks for all your help

A

Alex wrote: Thanks Mrs H!

Have now returned from assessment - of anyone else is going there it's actually not bad - apart from impossibility of parking.


Brief summary re today – likely to be a complete disaster. I don’t know the assessor’s background but she couldn't pronounce my medication(s) + didn’t know what they were; couldn’t pronounce conditions + didn’t know what they were. I do not, obviously, consider coeliac disease to be a “disease” (include on GP’s advice) but, not knowing what it was, she seemed to have seized on the “disease” bit and asked how I controlled it, what medication did I take?!

Left side hemi paresis (following childhood stroke) definitely more of a problem but, other than asking did this affect my left side{!), she did not ask, and would not let me tell her anything about it.

This is looking very, very bad so I do think that, if at all possible help will be needed – how on earth can the DWP (albeit via Atos) possibly employ someone to do a quasi-medical assessment who seems to have v v v little medical knowledge?

Oh a bit, I think, of what might make you laugh – try this one in the office – what’s the difference between 50 and 500? This, BTW is the cognitive test!

There was loads, loads more of idiocies I would never have thought possible - she had absolutely NOT read the form.

Should I complain now (if at all?) or wait for the result letter.

Plus, has anyone had any success based on this sort of thing - an assessor seeming to have v v v little medical training or expertise?

Many thanks for all your help

A

Hi A,

Even though you feel that the assessment did not go that well, you will not know for sure until you receive the decision from DWP. (Usually 4-8 weeks after)

However, you should be able to request a copy of the PA4 medical report compiled by the PIP Assessor early next week by ringing :

The PIP Helpline :

Telephone: 0345 850 3322
Textphone: 0345 601 6677
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Once you have copy of the PA4 you will see what points the PIP Assessor is recommending to The DWP PIP Case Manager.

Remember The PIP Assessment Provider (AP) ATOS or Capita only make recommendations, it is the DWP who make the final decision.

Although in the majority of cases, they abide by the AP's recommendations.

The problem is, if you complain to The AP before you have the decision, their recommendations may be discredited, this could be the case even if said recommendations are in your favour.

As far as DWP & The AP's are concerned all PIP Assessors are qualifier Approved Disability Analysts, and are therefore qualified to access how your disability/illness affect your functionality.

For now, you can request the PA4 and take it from there.

Please keep us updated by replying to this topic.

bro58

Many thanks for this - I really want to make a complaint to Atos re how awful/useless the Assessment/Assessor was BUT am concerned that, if I make it pre-decision, this might affect the result or after, when it may seem to be sort of "sour grapes".

I suppose the alternative is to do nothing - other than request the info but there was so much wrong that I think that a formal complaint is warranted but??????

Thanks again - all v much appreciated!

Alex wrote: Many thanks for this - I really want to make a complaint to Atos re how awful/useless the Assessment/Assessor was BUT am concerned that, if I make it pre-decision, this might affect the result or after, when it may seem to be sort of "sour grapes".

I suppose the alternative is to do nothing - other than request the info but there was so much wrong that I think that a formal complaint is warranted but??????

Thanks again - all v much appreciated!

Complaining to ATOS will probably only get you the stock reply
" HCP as been trained to DWP Required Standard"

Get a copy of the PIP assessment which should include assessors name and profession. if a nurse complain to Nursing and Midwifery Council(NMC) a Doctor tp GMC and any other health profession HCPC_

bill