Attending medical with no questionnaire

Doesn't the ESA50 have a section to enter dates when one is inavailable for a medical? I know the IB50 did. Seems silly issuing dates when they might clash with one inavailability.

Yes, it is on page 2 of the ESA50.

Not that Atos take any notice of it!

I wouldn't put it past Atos to purposely arrange the appointment for a medical assessment, on a date when a claimant says that they are unavailable!

I wonder if anyone has said that they would not be available for a medical assessment in the next three months, due to illness?

This is today's update to yesterday's posting...

I called ATOS and they said that the appointment for the medical assessment was raised because 1 month after they sent me my questionnaire they sent a MED3 form to my GP. When he returned it they looked at that, decided I wasn't exempt so sent me a medical assessment despite the fact I hadn't sent back my questionnaire.

I asked when they wanted my questionnaire back as I am still within the 3 week extension I was given by the mythical DWP office / employee (and I am hoping for even more time). I was told frankly just to bring it with me to the appointment as the appointment is imminent. I was told nothing would happen to my benefits as they are have a date set for my Assessment. I was also told frankly that if I sent in my questionnaire to the Wembley ATOS office there is a good chance it wouldn't make it to the Croyden office in time for my assessment.

Crazydiamond wrote:

I wouldn't put it past Atos to purposely arrange the appointment for a medical assessment, on a date when a claimant says that they are unavailable!

I wonder if anyone has said that they would not be available for a medical assessment in the next three months, due to illness?

Today when I called ATOS I tried to defer my 26 August appointment because in September I am embarking on a 6 week programme for chronic illness which requires quite a bit of attendance. I asked if I could push the date forward. I was told it was not likely that I could defer it for more than a few weeks as ATOS have targets from the DWP in which to see people. If that person is not seen soon then the file would be returned to the DWP as a failure and ATOS don't meet their target.

He also said that they only have appointments about 3 weeks ahead because of these targets.