How important is a companion at ESA medical?

I'll soon be having my ESA migration medical (for mental health issues).

Obviously it's extremely helpful if someone takes notes at the ESA medical in case you need to appeal and/or complain.

But does it actually increase your chances of getting a fair result at the medical itself, e.g. by pressuring the HCP to behave correctly? I've read quite a few posts from people unhappy with their result even when someone takes notes.

I'm asking because at the moment I don't have anyone to go into the examination with me. But I will try to get someone if it might make a difference.

Hi asdman

For mental health problems it makes a massive difference.

I think it is unlikely that claimants will score points for coping with change, coping with social situations or going out if they attend on their own.

I'm sure some claimants who don't like having people around them would rather attend on their own (one less person in the waiting room and nobody sitting next to them) but Atos take the opposite view and assume that they will need a companion to help them cope.

Likewise if you have difficulty coping with change having somebody with you is not necessarily going to help and could be a change in itself, but Atos believe that you need someone with you to cope with the change.

I would recommend that you take somebody with you if possible.

As for note taking, I don't know if it would make a difference but I have heard of claimants that said the ADA looked uneasy about it, which could possibly keep them focused on what they are doing?

Good luck

Derek

Derek4 wrote:

Hi asdman

For mental health problems it makes a massive difference.

I think it is unlikely that claimants will score points for coping with change, coping with social situations or going out if they attend on their own.

I'm sure some claimants who don't like having people around them would rather attend on their own (one less person in the waiting room and nobody sitting next to them) but Atos take the opposite view and assume that they will need a companion to help them cope.

Likewise if you have difficulty coping with change having somebody with you is not necessarily going to help and could be a change in itself, but Atos believe that you need someone with you to cope with the change.

I would recommend that you take somebody with you if possible.

As for note taking, I don't know if it would make a difference but I have heard of claimants that said the ADA looked uneasy about it, which could possibly keep them focused on what they are doing?

Good luck

Derek

I should have said, my father is taking me to the examination centre and will sit with me in the waiting room. But I don't want anyone I know in with me because of the things I will need to talk about. I was wanting to ask only about the effect of having someone in the actual examination with you and possibly takng notes?

Hi asdman

Please see the last paragraph of my previous post. Having somebody taking notes will not harm you chances of success and would be very useful if you have to appeal the decision.

The fact that some claimants have taken notes and still failed the medical does not indicate that it doesn't help as nothing can guarantee a successful medical.

Good luck

Derek

Derek4 wrote:

Hi asdman

Please see the last paragraph of my previous post. Having somebody taking notes will not harm you chances of success and would be very useful if you have to appeal the decision.

The fact that some claimants have taken notes and still failed the medical does not indicate that it doesn't help as nothing can guarantee a successful medical.

Good luck

Derek

I might try to get someone from the voluntary sector to come with me, e.g. maybe from MIND. I don't want to be seen to be trying to intimidate the HCP though and have it backfire on me. Could that be a problem?

If a person would (aware of the criteria) hope to be awarded points for the support group on the basis that social contact is always precluded, then should they attend with a companion it could be said that dealing witha compan ion and a atos assessor shows social contact is not alwayys precluded (more proof than if they went alone) If they go alone, the it is suggested they can cope with change and social interaction

They cannot win.

Which is why every claimant (and no member of B and W can have an excuse ) should familiarise themselves with the criteria on which they are to be tested, anmd make sure their problems
are addressed in their ESA form accordingly, also just because atos say a claimant attended alone so they must be confident and socially competent does not mean a tribunal will