Refused Home visit for ESA medical

Hi, my Girlfriend is being swicthed to ESA and has been called for a medical. She has severe M.E. and is bedbound for at least 20 hours of the day with only very limited activity. She also has problems coping with stressful situations such as being switched from IB to ESA!

She had her GP write a letter to ATOS asking for a home visit for her medical but ATOS have said no and they are also being difficult when it comes to arranging an appointment at a time her carer could take her to the centre.

In my opinion attending the medical will effect her health severely, both physically and mentally. A home visit would minimise this although still cause her great stress.

Can she request a home visit again with another letter from the gp? Or is it a one time request? Also, if a home visit isnt possible, can they legally force her to go at a time that isn't convenient for her and her carer?

Thanks a lot for the help

She can ask Atos again and they can refuse again, but it is not Atos that decide whether her failure to attend a medical is reasonable, but the Decision Maker at the DWP.

If getting there is a problem, she can claim transport costs.

Hi Skippy, have a look at this thread, it may help.

Home medical refusal

(type into search)

Best wishes,
Rachel

someone on here last year went in an ambulance and took nurse with them

We found out from ATOS what hoops we had to go through to have ATOS organise a Taxi. G.P faxed request through to ATOS the following week ATOS cancelled the medical.

Thanks very much for the replies, she has emailed her MP and contacted her rep from the local charity that helps with benefits, so hopefully that will work.

Would be wonderful if they canceled the medical altogether!