Why nurse and not a doctor for Atos medical

Thanks for this, must admit hadn't thought about making a complaint, but will follow it up today. I guess the other thing that really irked me about the whole thing was that I don't appreciate being treated like an idiot, before my illness I was an FD of a public company, and my illness has no effect on my intelligence or my ability to be articulate and coherent, in ATOS's eyes this seemed to mean that I wasn't ill, albeit that my consultant's report acknowledges that but looks behind it to the effects my illness really has on me, which is where ATOS fall down.

hi gordon I had my medical by a nurse she came across as sympathetic but having got no points and seeing her report she realy was just manipulating me so she could write what she wanted she told me not to do the lower limb exercises because she could see how much pain I was in but then put on the form that I declined to do them looks like they just want to turn as many down as possible Ann

Thanks very much for the original reply to my initial query I really appreciate all the comments. However with reference to the previous posting regarding the refusal to do some of the examinations, I am now concerned as I also suffer with medical complaints which affect my mobility and I was physically unable to complete all the tests as it would have been too painful. The nurse that completed my medical advised that if I found it too painful then I did not have to do it. I cannot see that they can accuse you of refusing when you are physically incapable? Any advice please as I am now really worried as awaiting my results from DWP.

Lizzie23 wrote:

Thanks very much for the original reply to my initial query I really appreciate all the comments. However with reference to the previous posting regarding the refusal to do some of the examinations, I am now concerned as I also suffer with medical complaints which affect my mobility and I was physically unable to complete all the tests as it would have been too painful. The nurse that completed my medical advised that if I found it too painful then I did not have to do it. I cannot see that they can accuse you of refusing when you are physically incapable? Any advice please as I am now really worried as awaiting my results from DWP.

Hi L23,

Try not to worry unduly, wait and see the outcome of the assessment.

If you look at 3. Page 37 onwards of The WCA Handbook, The Medical Assessment, it gives advice to the ATOS HCP on carrying out the assessment. Accessible from here :
ESA Guides

There should be a definate difference, between "Refusing" to carry out an action, and being "Unable" to carry out an action.

It is also mentioned in our ESA Guides.

It should be clearly stated by the claimant that they are not refusing, but are simply unable to carry out any action.

The ATOS HCP is allowed to draw conclusions from observations.

This is why it is always advisable to be accompanied by a companion at the assessment, if possible, the companion can even take notes.

bro58

Thanks very much bro58 for taking the time to reply. I have luckily been able to work all my life but illness has unfortunately made this now extremely difficult and I am now unable to do so. I never thought that at 59 it would be so difficult to obtain access to some type of benefit to enable me to exist. All your help on these sites is invaluable and I would like to thank you and your team very much for all your help.

Barri

Whilst I am sure you are trying to make a valid point, you choice of words and references make it impossible for me to approve your post.

If you would care to make your point in more reasonable terms I would be happy to approve it. See

Why hasn’t my post appeared?

Gordon