Outraged

attended my medical at luton today- arriving at 11:35 ( 10 minutes before arranged appointment as requested)- only to be told they were running seriously late and would I mind waiting until after 1pm. As I have a dislocated back and arthritic knees and ankles and consequently any sitting or standing for any prolonged period is painful, and my daughter ( who took a morning off work to drive me) had to get back to work for 2 pm I refused.

I was told by 2 of the reception staff that it is policy to over(double) book in case people dont turn up.
Apart from the pain,worry, anxiety and discomort of travelling this has caused it also cost me £60 for my daughter's loss of wages ( as I wouldn't see her go short.)

This is disgusting treatment. I know we are all skivers and only deserve what we get so perhaps I shouldn't complain but I fully intend to.

Write/email to your MP. I had a similar thing happen to me. I immediately made notes of every detail so that I would not forget. The next day I emailed to Atos my letter of complaint and CLEARLY COPIED it to my MP.

My MP's office came back to me in one week informing me that they would be contact Atos on my behalf. Just today I have been sent a copy of the reply to my complaintS from the office of my MP again. Atos did address every point (for my MP that is). One response was incorrect, they said there were high-backed with arms/orthopeadic chairs both in the waiting area and in the examination rooms. THAT WAS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE.

I am now appealing and will once again copy my MP regarding this.

Good luck,
cmarie

I can only state what a friend told me re: Medical in Leeds - Lawnswood, he arrived in the car (wife drives) he cant use a wheelchair, and is very unsteady on walking sticks - they tried to make him park around 400 meters from the actual medical building. He refused to walk the distance, mainly because he can't - ATOS called him a liar (well didn't use those words but the inference was there). They stopped his benefits and claimed he refused to attend the medical, which was not the case. He actually requested copies of the security footage - they refused - wonder why?

I agree absolutely with cmarie's advice. Complain, in writing, to ATOS and copy it to your MP. List in full detail what effects this has had on you, and your daughter.

This happened because ATOS, by deliberate policy, overbook their appointments to increase their profits and the result is outrageous treatment for sick and disabled people.

Give 'em what for! (as my grandma used to say)

Another idea that will help you prove that you have attended, with a companion, is buy a newspaper, get your companion to take a snap of the reception area, with yourself in shot holding the newspaper up showing the date.

I would also get the companion to snap the access to the building, and the seating in the waiting area.

I know ATOS would not let you do this on arrival, but if it was done quickly on leaving, what can they do?, forcibly take the camera phone off your companion? that would be assault.

As far as I'm concerned if ATOS didn't like it "They could lump it".

cheers

bro58

noggin wrote:

attended my medical at luton today- arriving at 11:35 ( 10 minutes before arranged appointment as requested)- only to be told they were running seriously late and would I mind waiting until after 1pm. As I have a dislocated back and arthritic knees and ankles and consequently any sitting or standing for any prolonged period is painful, and my daughter ( who took a morning off work to drive me) had to get back to work for 2 pm I refused.

I was told by 2 of the reception staff that it is policy to over(double) book in case people dont turn up.
Apart from the pain,worry, anxiety and discomort of travelling this has caused it also cost me £60 for my daughter's loss of wages ( as I wouldn't see her go short.)

This is disgusting treatment. I know we are all skivers and only deserve what we get so perhaps I shouldn't complain but I fully intend to.

That is dreadful way to treat sick and disabled.

Thing is no matter what we say in this situation it will go against us. If we say no, we are seen to not be co-operative but if we agree then it goes against us if we have stated on our ESA50 that we have problems with sitting/standing.

Are they sending you another appointment?