DLA Appeal Medical, ATOS Cancelled on Same Day

Hi all

I posted to the discussion forum about 2 months ago (post #50143).

I have ME/CFS and some other related and unrelated problems. I was refused all DLA and Mobility and appealed.

Last Friday I received a letter saying I was to have a medical today (Thursday), and I have spent days agonising and building myself up for it. I am almost housebound, and I have a visit from wheelchair services on 26th to arrange a powered wheelchair for me, but in the meantime, I get by on hiring from my local shopmobility service.

So today I woke up, too nervous to eat. Dragged myself out of my chair, got myself orgnised (for want of a better word), and drove into town to pick up the wheelchair. I paid for an hours parking for 5 minutes away from my car, and another £2 to hire the wheelchair.

I got home, and had a further 30 minutes to kill before I had to leave to go to the medical. But when I got home, there was an urgent message for me to contact ATOS. I called them back, and they told me that they had to cancel my medical!

I was devastated! I didnt think anyone could be so cruel. I was in tears before I put the phone down. I asked how long I would have to wait for another appointment, they said at least 2 weeks.

SO I took the wheelchair back, paying another car park fee for another hour. Then I went home and called the number at the top of my notification letter, which was Croydon Msc. I was told the next appointment would be 9 June, or they may be able to send someone to me at home.

I was stunned. The letter specifically said "An approved healthcare professional may have visited you at your home in the past, but we now arrange appointments at an examination centre, as appropriate"! The lady on the phone reiterated that they still do home visits, and that she will try and arrange one sooner than the 9th June.

Is it me or was this original notification letter misleading?? It took a huge amount of effort for me to arrange everything, energy that I don't have to spare, and will end up paying the price for.

Can anyone advise me if I am within my rights to ask for reimbursement for the car park and wheelchair hire for this waste of time and energy? I have receipts.

Chrissy
x

Hi Chrissy

How upsetting for you, they haven't got a clue, have they?

Hope you manage to get your expenses reimbursed. x