is this true.

Gordon wrote:

Paula

I am not aware of this situation, and haven't seen reference to it on any other forums.

There appear to be a limited number of recording devices in the country, which are being moved from one office to another, so the wear and tear on each unit may be higher than would be expected, whether this would result in all of the units failing, seems unlikely.

Having publicly announced the provision of the service, it is difficult to see how Chris Grayling and the DWP can withdraw it because of equipment failure.

With regard to it being used a reason for a failed medical. it was accepted by the DWP, and by inference, ATOS, before Graylings announcement that asking for your medical to be recorded was a reasonable request.

Without further, and more official comment there is little more that can be said.

Gordon

Gordon

I've not seen this thread until today, but I see from the general email dated 8 May the following:

ESA RECORDING OUTRAGE
In other news, a campaigner has forced the DWP to disclose that Atos have just 11 digital recorders (external link) to cover 140 medical assessment centres. It’s not surprising then, that asking for your ESA work capability assessment to be recorded can lead to long delays and that DWP/Atos are very reluctant to tell claimants that they have the right to ask for a recording to be made.

I can't help wondering if the resources of ATOS should not run to the purchase of a few more machines - even if they are hoping they won't be required after this year's end when the process will be reviewed.

Perhaps this is another point where pressure should be put on the DWP - perhaps via MPs.

BTW in the email quoted the "external link" is not provided - can you ask Steve if it is still available, please?

Paula

A re-read of the original post tells me that were asking for a friend and not yourself - my apologies.

My advice (transposed for your friend) remains the same.

I had the same trouble about arranging my WCA being recorded. It is not the DWP who arrange for the recording machines to be available, it is ATOS who have a dedicated Co-ordinator/Allocator/Scheduler. From the information I gained from this Recording Machine Scheduler, it appears that each County (depending on the size of the county) has one machine and each Atos Examining Centre has to make a request to him for the machine to be made available at that centre. The machine scheduler told me the times that the recording machine would be available at that particular centre and on what days and that this could add approximately 6 weeks to wait for an assessment, depending on the amount of people requesting their WCA to be recorded.

I would suggest that you telephone ATOS and ask to speak to the Recording Machine Co-ordinator/Allocator/Scheduler and ask him for your WCA to be recorded and approximately how long it will take for the machine to be available.

carruthers wrote:

BTW in the email quoted the "external link" is not provided - can you ask Steve if it is still available, please?

I believe this is the FOI request that obtained the information.

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/wca_audio_recordings_2