Another ATOS medical cancellation ...

After having my previous two recent ATOS reassessment medicals cancelled only hours before I was due to have them (I'm currently in ESA/Support Group), I finally got to my third ATOS medical today in London, which was for 2.10pm. I was not in a very good physical state when I got there - plus the added element of progressive stress that the lead up to these examinations engenders.

I arrived ten minutes prior to my allotted medical appointment as requested on the notification letter. I signed in and was told by the receptionist there was a bit of a wait. I asked if she had any indication of how long the wait was as I was not feeling well at all (I have severe ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which manifested after treatment for lymphatic sarcoidosis), but she was unable to say.

I then sat in a sparse and uncomfortable waiting room waiting to be assessed.

The only other person before me was becoming increasingly agitated as he had been waiting an hour. He began to complain. He said he'd had enough and wanted to leave but couldn't because ATOS would cancel his claim. Another woman arrived to be told her medical had been cancelled. She complained that this was her fourth cancellation. My wait continued. I waited over an hour and a half becoming progressively more fatigued and physically distressed (my joints, spine, muscles, marrow, head were in perpetual pain). I needed to lie down.

I told the receptionist, after she'd come off the phone, I said that the situation was unacceptable and that I was beginning to feel really unwell. She then announced that unfortunately because of the back-log in procedure and shortage of staff my medical would have to be cancelled and that they'd be issuing another appointment in due course. She was very apologetic. I was numb.

She gave me an ATOS complaint form, which seemed pointless as the procedure was to complain to the very company who were the cause of the problem.

It's all very demoralising.

Gordon ...

Thank you for the advice. And my apologies for only just replying.

What a shambles! I agree, if people don't complain then ATOS/DWP have every right to claim that people are happy with the 'service' they provide.

Mrs Hurtyback wrote: What a shambles! I agree, if people don't complain then ATOS/DWP have every right to claim that people are happy with the 'service' they provide.

I wish I had complained about my call up for a medical but I did not have the guts or the health at the time to do it. Knowing what I know now from this site I would definitely complain.

After the exertion of getting ready to attend the medical and get there, I was told to take a seat. After having waited twenty to thirty minutes I was called to reception to be told a letter should have been sent out to me informing me a decision had been made based on paper evidence supplied however unfortunately the letter had never been processed to have been sent to me in the first place. The lady apologised and gave me a complaints form. Later on I got copy of my doctors report and the box was ticked about getting to the medical "not able to travel by public transport" yet they called me in for a medical.

I sympathise with anyone that has to go through this appauling treatment by ATOS/DWP. I think the problem is that in general ill/disabled claimants do not have the strength to complain nor want the additional stress that goes with it. Also, we are frightened that by complaining it goes against us in any future dealings with ATOS/DWP.

del wrote:

Mrs Hurtyback wrote: What a shambles! I agree, if people don't complain then ATOS/DWP have every right to claim that people are happy with the 'service' they provide.

I wish I had complained about my call up for a medical but I did not have the guts or the health at the time to do it. Knowing what I know now from this site I would definitely complain.

After the exertion of getting ready to attend the medical and get there, I was told to take a seat. After having waited twenty to thirty minutes I was called to reception to be told a letter should have been sent out to me informing me a decision had been made based on paper evidence supplied however unfortunately the letter had never been processed to have been sent to me in the first place. The lady apologised and gave me a complaints form. Later on I got copy of my doctors report and the box was ticked about getting to the medical "not able to travel by public transport" yet they called me in for a medical.

I sympathise with anyone that has to go through this appauling treatment by ATOS/DWP. I think the problem is that in general ill/disabled claimants do not have the strength to complain nor want the additional stress that goes with it. Also, we are frightened that by complaining it goes against us in any future dealings with ATOS/DWP.

Ooops, above should have said the box that was ticked was "not able to travel by public transport or taxi".