ATOS medical, was it too easy????

Hi, I have just had my atos medical assessment this week. I have ankylosing spondylitis , psoriatic arthritis and secondary fibromyalgia. I cannot walk more than 30-40 metres and had to attend the medical with my wife who drove me there and I was then pushed to the centre in my wheelchair once parked. On entering the assessment the lady who was conducting it said " I have read through your form and medical report from your doctor, and seeing you here today I cannot understand why you have been called for a medical, you should have been put straight in to the support group" ! She didn't ask me any questions about my day to day life and how I manage, she didn't examine me physically or undertake any physical tests at all. She asked me about my medication and it's side effects and I showed her all the medication I had brought with me. And that was that. On leaving she apologised that I had been called to the medical and I would hear something in about three weeks, saying she didn't make the final decision but I shouldn't worry.
Am I missing something here? Do you think I have been suckered in by her kindness, lovely attitude and manner? She didn't sound as if she knew much about ankylosing spondylitis at all and even struggled to pronounce it. I had to explain that tramadol was my pain killer and naproxen was my anti inflammatory. Also that I self inject with methotrexate once weekly ( she thought I had to visit hospital every week). I think I am more confused than ever, I was expecting a grilling and various tests but it was too easy and I feel quite uncomfortable about it.
Am I being over anxious here?

I am afraid that only time will tell! Contrary to the horror stories that we hear, some people do find that they are treated well and the process works in their favour.

nyorks1961 wrote:

Hi, I have just had my atos medical assessment this week. I have ankylosing spondylitis , psoriatic arthritis and secondary fibromyalgia. I cannot walk more than 30-40 metres and had to attend the medical with my wife who drove me there and I was then pushed to the centre in my wheelchair once parked. On entering the assessment the lady who was conducting it said " I have read through your form and medical report from your doctor, and seeing you here today I cannot understand why you have been called for a medical, you should have been put straight in to the support group" ! She didn't ask me any questions about my day to day life and how I manage, she didn't examine me physically or undertake any physical tests at all. She asked me about my medication and it's side effects and I showed her all the medication I had brought with me. And that was that. On leaving she apologised that I had been called to the medical and I would hear something in about three weeks, saying she didn't make the final decision but I shouldn't worry.
Am I missing something here? Do you think I have been suckered in by her kindness, lovely attitude and manner? She didn't sound as if she knew much about ankylosing spondylitis at all and even struggled to pronounce it. I had to explain that tramadol was my pain killer and naproxen was my anti inflammatory. Also that I self inject with methotrexate once weekly ( she thought I had to visit hospital every week). I think I am more confused than ever, I was expecting a grilling and various tests but it was too easy and I feel quite uncomfortable about it.
Am I being over anxious here?

Hi NY1961,

It is entirely possible for the ATOS HCP to curtail the assessment, if they feel that you fulfill the criteria for entry to the Support Group, and they do have the facility on the LiMa software that they use to do this.

Hopefully, the HCP will recommend your entry to the SG. You should receive an award letter from the DWP DM, confirming this in due course.

Please return here to let us know.

bro58

Thanks for the reply, I was just honest and made sure that I did my homework with the guides on this site. Do you think I should ask for a copy of the medical report? Also is there a time limit on this? I presume I would ask my local job centre plus office for the report?

There is certainly no harm in asking for the paperwork associated with your assessment. To do this, you need to contact the DWP (rather than your local JCP). You can phone the number given on your ESA paperwork but, if you do this, you should follow this up in writing.

ESA medical – what forms to ask for

nyorks1961 wrote:

Thanks for the reply, I was just honest and made sure that I did my homework with the guides on this site. Do you think I should ask for a copy of the medical report? Also is there a time limit on this? I presume I would ask my local job centre plus office for the report?

Hi NY,

You can request a copy of the medical report (ESA85), no matter what the result is.

It probably won't have a lot of detail as the "medical" seems to have been curtailed, it may simply say that you have met the criteria as having Limited Capability for Work Related Activity,
(LCWRA) and should therefore be placed into the SG.

It should contain your "prognosis" though, this is the recommended duration of the award before you are re-assessed.

see :

ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

ESA Forms

How often will I be reviewed

It may be prudent to wait until you receive word of your ESA award before requesting the above.

bro58