sucessful transfer to support group...eventually!!

A prolonged saga with Atos.

Monday August 21st was the date for my assessment. Apart ( and possibly because of from a dislocated back - unstable spondylolisthesis and extensive gouty arthritis in back and knees ) I suffer high levels of anxiety that can only be exacerbated by the dreaded assessment.
I face a long journey from Bedford to Luton and then apainful walk to the assessment centre ( making sure we parked less than 50m away. To be told when I arrived that they were running 2 hours late due to double booking policy seemed an outrage. I booked a new appointment ( Monday 22nd August) went home and wrote to my MP, Medical Administrator at Luton, Atos customer relations and DWP. Atos didnt bother to reply until I emailed customer relations again on August 18th. From there things moved with speed.
When writing to Medical Admin I had enclosed a new appintment showing surgery being required fora skin condition. This is a skng cancer ( the curse of the fair skinned) for which I will require follow-up chemo. I also asked them to confirm that a) they had received this and all the other medical suuport I had sent, b) that my GP/ consultants would be condulted and c) that my assessment would be made by someone medically qualified to asses my various conditions.
Today I received a phone call from a lovely and sympathetic lady who told me that having reviewed my form50 and the evidence I had supplied I would not require an assessment and was being placed in the support group.
I have to say that at times the humasn beings who have dealt with my case have done so with a great deal of courtesy and sympathy. Despite Atos itself being a cold and money-grabbing reptile of an organisation the people I have dealt with have always been proefeesional and helpful...Credit where it is due.

I doubt this would have happened without the support and information provided by this site. Many thanks to Steve and Holiday and all who have contributed ideas and support through the forums.