Please can you help me - PIP F2F Appointment !!

GP letter has been signed for at the other end last Wednesday and consultant report arrived the previous week as stated.

Hoping that both pieces of evidence will have been received and looked at / decision been made about requirement of F2F by the time the cancellation takes place! Hopefully even hearing before by letter?

I just have some preliminary questions to the cancellation call (This Thurs appx), if that's ok please.

On the assumption that a "check-up" or "chasing" phone call by my partner isn't recommend prior to the 3-4 days to cancel!

The whole thing I'm find immensely stressful and it's really having a hugely negative impact on my health. Even with my partner ringing I would find it immensely stressful. I would rather be contacted prior to the date of assessment and never have contact being made.

1) I'm wondering what you would suggest? Is a "chase-up, encouraging drawing attention to the new evidence" phone call required? Or simply waiting for the 3-4 days to cancel (in the hope that it would have been looked at)? This is the current plan to give the maximum time for the new evidence to be looked at!

2) If during the cancellation phone call (this Thursday approx) - if ATOS state that they haven't looked at the new evidence yet (either both or one piece) I'm thinking this may result in the proposal from ATOS booking another appointment (at ATOS's request to give them more time to look over it and due to it not being looking at 3-4 days prior - This Thurs/Fri). At which stage what would you recommend? Would you agree with any of the following? Or suggest another option? Are there other scenarios which could occur?

2.1) Don't re-book anything during Thursday phone call and ask if it can be left for a few more days for them to look at it even up to previous day of assessment (next week)?
2.2) If they still haven't etc since there are significant problems even with a home assessment as previously discussed - if this situation occurred (them needing more time and booking another assessment would give them more time) I don't want to have a situation where I am stuck to the second appointment due to the issues involved with both types of assessment as outlined in by newly sent evidence? If presented with this option, what would be the best way to respond?

3) Does another appointment have to be made there and then (to give them more time to look at evidence)? Can I just leave it / not commit there and then, leaving it open until they view the new evidence eventually? Could I request in advance that I could be contacted by letter to notify once it has been looked at? Or assuming that they would have to be contacted again (rough time time frame to ring back after, as recommend by ATOS)?

Sincere thanks for your help again.

Just an update.

My partner rang yesterday on my behalf and both pieces of additional evidence have been received / scanned in 16/01/2015. Yesterday, they had not yet been looked at but an email had been sent to a health professional to look at them before my scheduled assessment date 27/01/2015.

My partner rang again today and the lady said your husband has an appointment next Tuesday 27/01. My partner asked again about the new evidence, if there was a new update and this was checked.

On the notes an ATOS HCP has looked at it again and has decided that they still need to see me. In my mind, in conjunction with the medical evidence, I couldn't explain any more in detail about how my disabilities effect me? This is already seriously effecting my health.

The lady on the phone changed the appointment type there and then today to a home assessment.

When asked if I would receive a letter confirming next week's f2f cancellation my partner was told that wouldn't happen but it definitely has been changed.

Is it advisable following up this call with either an email or letter highlighting what was mentioned in the call? I'm very anxious about the f2f appointment on 27/01 and it potentially looking like I didn't attend even though it has been changed to a home assessment?

Thanks a lot for your advice, really appreciate it.

Thanks again for your help.

The lady mentioned about a possible quicker appointment whereby someone else cancels freeing up a slot!

If someone cancels an appointment and it opens up a free appointment meaning that a phone call is made - partner answering on behalf - does this have to be:

a) answered
b) if an assessment is offered does it have to be accepted? Or could it be rearranged on the phone? Bearing in mind that existing appointment has already been rearranged to home visit?
c) can It be requested on phone that I have a letter requesting a date instead? Bearing in mind that existing appointment has already been rearranged to home visit?