× Members

ESA Medical Cancelled

More
6 years 9 months ago #192032 by ccactus
ESA Medical Cancelled was created by ccactus
I was due to attend my medical assessment this afternoon but received a phone call this morning telling me it was being cancelled as the assessor had gone home sick!! which in itself is laughable. I was told that they would call me if a cancellation came up and would give me three days notice, I explained that it wasn't that easy to just go at short notice, as I have to arrange for someone to take me.
My questions are if this is the case, can I refuse the appointment if they do phone, or is this just another one of their scare tactics to make you jump through hoops?
Also if I do refuse to go at short notice does anyone know how long you then have to wait for a new appointment. I have been waiting over 6 months now, and as everyone can appreciate it's like a big black cloud that's hanging over you.
Finally is it still advisable to write to the DWP themselves to state my appointment was cancelled and explain why?

I am really cheesed off as just want to get it over with as I know the outcome anyway NIL POINTS the same as they give everyone.

Many thanks

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 9 months ago #192057 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA Medical Cancelled
ccactus

Just because they have cancelled does not mean that they do not have to give seven days notice of any replacement date, unless you specifically opt for them to do this.

I would write a short note to the DWP telling them of the cancellation. Whilst we have not heard of it happening recently, we did go through a period when the Assessment Providers, particularly Capita, were blaming the claimant for these missed appointments. Send it to the DWP office dealing with your claim, the address should be on the original invitation letter.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: ccactus

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 9 months ago #192087 by MrFibro
Replied by MrFibro on topic ESA Medical Cancelled
Hi cctasus,

I was due for an assessment with maximus, the night before they cancelled my assessment just like yourself.

They asked me if i wanted a cancelation. i refused as i said i cant get to the assessent centre, without my carer (family) taking me, due to my disabilities. and i needed my carers to sort out time to be able to take me.

Long story short is.... it took another 4 weeks for them to send out to me a re-scheduled letter to attend the assessment.

Incidently i had waited 60 weeks for this reassessment.

So i can understand frustration & how your feeling.
The following user(s) said Thank You: ccactus

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 9 months ago #192130 by ccactus
Replied by ccactus on topic ESA Medical Cancelled
Further to yesterdays post, and a pre-warning to others who have their medicals cancelled.

As I stated my appointment was cancelled and was told they would phone in three days with a new one - they phoned today - three times.
I was called this morning and said my new appointment was for Thursday 29/06 at 9am, I told the lady that I didn't know if this was possibly at such short notice as I needed to arrange for someone to take me, and also I didn't live close to the medical centre, she allowed me to check to see if I could arrange it and gave me a number to call her back on., which I did, and explained it wasn't possibly to get someone to take me; she told me that if I didn't go on Thursday then I would lose my benefits - bearing in mind I did not requested a cancelation appointment, she then gave me a 10am appointment which I had no choice but to except, with the hope of someone taking me,
A hour later she phoned me again to change the appointment to 9.45am again no choice but to except.
A further hour later she then phoned me again and changed the appointment to 10.45am,by now I had arranged for someone to take me and have subsequently had to phone them several times to change the times.

Yesterday Gordon advised they have to give 7 days notice - it seems not, again they play to their owns rules.
I believe the medical centre to be run by ATOS sorry IAS which is acronym for several things non of which are printable.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 9 months ago #192148 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA Medical Cancelled
ccactus

The seven days is a legal requirement, it is not at the discretion of the Assessment Provider.

As you have arranged cover for the day, you may not now wish to pursue the matter, but I would make a formal complaint and escalate the matter to the DWP as well.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: ccactus

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 8 months ago #192490 by ccactus
Replied by ccactus on topic ESA Medical Cancelled/ Am I being paranoid?
I attended my medical on Thursday as stated 10.45am; when I arrived I found the car park full, so was expecting the place to be full of anxious people - there was one other person waiting who was called in soon after I arrived, no one else came in - I then had to wait over two and a half hours for my medical. I asked at reception why I was being kept waiting and the explanation was it was a training day - I was getting quite angry as the person who kindly took me had to get back for work, and also because I was in pain.

Is this a new tactic by ATOS or IAS - I wondering if they kept me for so long in the waiting room was so they could watch me in there for a longer period - or am I just being paranoid?

I am considering making a complaint with regards to being forced to take an appointment without been given the 7 days notice-

my question is - can I complain about being kept waiting unnecessarily due to 'training day'; I feel it was totally disrespectful to me; and that if it was the case that training was being done, then why make appointments for medicals in the first place.

Many thanks

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper UserjimmckChris
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.