ATOS, the DWP and the government.

[Vicky.]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/10/atos-wca-citizens-advice-right-first-time

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2012/04/32-die-a-week-after-failing-in.html

This system is NOT working at all IMO

Having had dealings with ATOS myself in the past, and having a few friends who had the exact same problem...I think its about time they started to do their jobs right.

The Government has boasted that more than half of new *claimants are found "fit to work" - failing to mention that over 300,000 have appealed the decision and almost 40% have won. From the second link.

This part is absolutely shocking to me. Obviously they would always have a margin of error, but you would think it would be MUCH lower, maybe around 5% of people who appeal the decision having it awarded in their favour. The 40% wont include those who struggle on JSA/nothing for 3 months and then sign straight back to ESA/IB (under their GPs consent of course, you cant get on those benefits without sick notes) either. My friend wasnt even aware that you could appeal the decision, so god knows how many would pass if everyone was aware that you could go to tribunal.

ATOS are meant to give a medical assessment...however they didnt do that with me at all...and it seems they dont with others either. The main problem is, their 'medical professionals' range from ex-GPs to retired midwives. Now seriously...how is a retired midwife fit to diagnose anything besides pregnancy related problems?

At my medical a few years back, the person who 'examined' me asked a series of questions, and that was it. Took about half an hour. How on earth that is more reliable to the DWP than an actual GPs report, or a report from the mental health people I was seeing is beyond me.

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety attacks. I could not actually leave the house on my own, and sometimes I couldnt leave the house even with someone else. I had many thoughts of suicide and self harm, and started to become quite violent also. I had next to no concentration, got really panicky if the phone rang or someone knocked at the door, couldnt cook for myself as I would foget the cooker was on etc. and some days I couldnt even get out of bed. I cancelled my first medical because I couldnt bare to leave the house at all that whole week...my condition was quite strange, sometimes I would feel relatively normal, other times I thought I should actually be sectioned. I went to a medical a week or so later instead. The person who asked my questions LIED completely. She said that I had said I went alone to the shop everyday to buy bread, milk and a bottle of wine for myself. I had stated many times that I never went out alone, I never mentioned bread or milk, and I certainly didnt mention wine, as I didnt even drink it.

The more stories come out about ATOS, the more I am convinced they are paid simply to find people fit for work, rather than to assess them in an honest and fair way. I think that if you do not have an obvious physical disability that they cant brush under the carpet then you are pretty much screwed.

You would think that the DWP/government would realise that having ATOS overruled 40% of the time by REAL medical professionals (tribunal is made of 4 people..including one an actual GP. I was lucky enough to have a GP who specialised in mental health on mine, so I obviously passed pretty much immediately) shows that they are not doing their jobs right. This is, of course, assuming that they are contracted to actually assess people rather than get people off ESA/IB ;)

What do you think?

[Vicky.]

I'm actually quite tempted to use that 'freedom of information' thing that got posted and ask if ATOS staff get bonuses for each person they fail....that would make a lot of sense.

May also ask why they are so against anyone taking a recording of the assessment...to the point where if they find out you are recording they will stop your medical immediately

[Mrluvaluva]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/10/atos-wca-citizens-advice-right-first-time

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2012/04/32-die-a-week-after-failing-in.html

This system is NOT working at all IMO

Having had dealings with ATOS myself in the past, and having a few friends who had the exact same problem...I think its about time they started to do their jobs right.

From the second link.

This part is absolutely shocking to me. Obviously they would always have a margin of error, but you would think it would be MUCH lower, maybe around 5% of people who appeal the decision having it awarded in their favour. The 40% wont include those who struggle on JSA/nothing for 3 months and then sign straight back to ESA/IB (under their GPs consent of course, you cant get on those benefits without sick notes) either. My friend wasnt even aware that you could appeal the decision, so god knows how many would pass if everyone was aware that you could go to tribunal.

ATOS are meant to give a medical assessment...however they didnt do that with me at all...and it seems they dont with others either. The main problem is, their 'medical professionals' range from ex-GPs to retired midwives. Now seriously...how is a retired midwife fit to diagnose anything besides pregnancy related problems?

At my medical a few years back, the person who 'examined' me asked a series of questions, and that was it. Took about half an hour. How on earth that is more reliable to the DWP than an actual GPs report, or a report from the mental health people I was seeing is beyond me.

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety attacks. I could not actually leave the house on my own, and sometimes I couldnt leave the house even with someone else. I had many thoughts of suicide and self harm, and started to become quite violent also. I had next to no concentration, got really panicky if the phone rang or someone knocked at the door, couldnt cook for myself as I would foget the cooker was on etc. and some days I couldnt even get out of bed. I cancelled my first medical because I couldnt bare to leave the house at all that whole week...my condition was quite strange, sometimes I would feel relatively normal, other times I thought I should actually be sectioned. I went to a medical a week or so later instead. The person who asked my questions LIED completely. She said that I had said I went alone to the shop everyday to buy bread, milk and a bottle of wine for myself. I had stated many times that I never went out alone, I never mentioned bread or milk, and I certainly didnt mention wine, as I didnt even drink it.

The more stories come out about ATOS, the more I am convinced they are paid simply to find people fit for work, rather than to assess them in an honest and fair way. I think that if you do not have an obvious physical disability that they cant brush under the carpet then you are pretty much screwed.

You would think that the DWP/government would realise that having ATOS overruled 40% of the time by REAL medical professionals (tribunal is made of 4 people..including one an actual GP. I was lucky enough to have a GP who specialised in mental health on mine, so I obviously passed pretty much immediately) shows that they are not doing their jobs right. This is, of course, assuming that they are contracted to actually assess people rather than get people off ESA/IB ;)

What do you think?


That is exactly the case in my mind. They obviously have targets to meet, and they are trained in ways to get people off ESA etc. I think it goes by some points system. Amazing that doctors/consultants etc can deem someone unfit to work, but their "trained" staff can overthrow such a decision after a half hour verbal interview with no physical examination at all. They just want the numbers down.

[Kizzy]

I'm actually quite tempted to use that 'freedom of information' thing that got posted and ask if ATOS staff get bonuses for each person they fail....that would make a lot of sense.

May also ask why they are so against anyone taking a recording of the assessment...to the point where if they find out you are recording they will stop your medical immediately

Do it vicky, it's your right...Ask as many question as you like they have a legal obligation to disclose any information they have on you.
Rather odd that, makes you think they dont want a record of the convo or something... ;)

[Vicky.]

That is exactly the case in my mind. They obviously have targets to meet, and they are trained in ways to get people off ESA etc. I think it goes by some points system. Amazing that doctors/consultants etc can deem someone unfit to work, but their "trained" staff can overthrow such a decision after a half hour verbal interview with no physical examination at all. They just want the numbers down.

It does. At my medical I was given 0 points. You need 15 to pass. It seems the majority who are failed are failed with '0 points' too...seems quite strange to me. You would think that some would pick up a few points if these medicals were fair...especially given that the tribunal awards points also, so clearly they award at least 15 in 40% of the cases. 0 to 15 is quite a jump :laugh:

[Vicky.]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17590426

Another.

Good to see unions are catching on though, though whether they get anywhere or not is anyones guess. The government (whoevers in power) generally seem to be experts at sticking their heads in the sand about important stuff :laugh:

[Kizzy]

Have a look through this,
http://dwpexamination.wordpress.com/atos-checklist/

I took this comment from a debate in parliament..
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120201/halltext/120201h0001.htm

The Atos half-yearly report for 2011 was very upbeat. It noted that operating margins had increased year on year to €166 million—an 11% increase from the first half of 2010. Its operating margin in the UK in 2011 was a healthy €34 million. The outlook for the second half of 2011 was similarly rosy: Atos expected profits to increase by 6.2%. I say all that not to congratulate Atos and marvel at how successful it has been, but to preface my next remarks.

The figures for PROFIT are in euros as it is a french company, not sure how you make a profit from the sick and disabled though....

[Vicky.]

Last December, Citizens Advice published a damning report on the work capability assessment. One of its recommendations was that financial sanctions should be imposed on Atos for the number of incorrect assessments that it makes. As we all know, the taxpayer forks out millions of pounds on the appeals process, to clear up the incorrect decisions initially made by Atos.

--

Cant see that ever happening unfortunately even though its total common sense, but that would solve a LOT of the current problems I think

[Kizzy]

Just stop outsourcing! its not working.. It ends up costing the government more to investigate the company responsible.
Either that or its a clever rouse to make those in the most need wait months and months for reassessment in the hope they will be dead! Wouldn't surprise me at all...

[InOne]

mmmm at first I had a pretty bad time with them. And then I sent them some mad letter and showed them I'd been in Hospital so they got off my back then and I didn't have to send in sick notes. But still, every 3 months I have to go in, explain everything ALL over again (for some reason they don't record stuff) luckily I got a nice Irish woman last time. It's worse when you get someone who's German or something, they just seem to have no empathy at all. All in all the system is very flawed, they call it the 'revolving door'. Go see them, fail the medical, appeal, win the appeal, 3 months later get seen again and fail again. So it just goes on and on like that for some people, the worst thing of all it's not an actual doctor that makes the final decision.

[Vicky.]

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/right_first_time

CAB investigation, also worth a read

(getting really into researching them now :laugh: )

[joeysteele]

I have been to one of these assessments with a friend who is disabled, I went into the assessment with him too.
I won't say all that went on but all I will say is had he not had someone with him, he likely may have been deemed able to do something,it seems all they do is tick boxes really.

I found the whole thing cold and a massive lack of any compassion was evident. I am all for finding scroungers but these tests are wrong, they should be completely looked at again as to content and format,it would also help if they showed a bit of respect to the people who had took the time to go along with someone for these tests/assessments and not treat them like 2nd class citizens.

What I find the most aggravating and annoying thing about these updated tests/assessments is that they have the support too of the Liberal Democrats who if they were to ever bother going and sitting in on some of them may get a real eye opener as to how degrading and awful they are.
What they must cost to carry out too is another element that must be extremely high.However what the subsequent appeals must also cost is another very major factor to be taken into consideration.
As Vicky said, most of the appeals are upheld fully or benefits are re-instated again until further assessments are done,showing they were still very wrong to remove the benefits are declare the individuals fit for work.

There have been many warnings from MPs and other Groups saying these assessments are unfair and wrong,hopefully some compassion and reason is going to come forward on this.

I was talking to people with family who have dementia and others who have mental illness, as they rightly point out, it can take ages to persuade someone with those complaints to even go and see a Doctor, never mind trust one.
To then be forced to go through these emotionless clinical assessments is only going to do more harm than good.

They are wrong and Vicky is right,I just wish people who thought they were a good idea actually tried to go along with someone to one or more of them. It is claimed you are seen by a Doctor but that the decisions are made by others,as InOne said, however it is the original assessment done by the person you see that the person making the decision as being fit for any work bases their decision on, thereby what boxes are in effect ticked or crossed.

[Vicky.]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jul/20/fitness-for-work-tests-technical-chaos

:joker:

More news on this farce of a system we have in place at the moment.

Now we have a right to have the 'medical' recorded, but theres only 1 machine per 1000 people who get interviewed? What a ****ing joke.

I'm having hell on at the moment with my mother in law. Shes been on long term IB for severe anxiety and bad nerves...is virtually housebound, plus really bad asthma (has 3 or 4 bad attacks a day). Now IB is being scrapped, she has to move onto ESA. So she is going to have one of these 'medicals' in a few months time, which Im almost sure she will get 0 points(as this is standard) and have to go to tribunal. so I expect to have to deal with the system AGAIN quite soon. I expect to be fed a load of lies and bull about the machines not working and so on.

ATOS are clearly ****ting themselves because they cant just lie their way to finding someone fit like they usually do...if theres audio recordings to back up the claimant. Hence the crappy excuses they are coming out with.

Oh dear, not so many bonuses for meeting their targets this year eh?

[Vicky.]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/paralympic-sponsor-engulfed-by-disability-tests-row-8084799.html

Tara Flood, a former Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer, said: "Atos must think that by sponsoring the Paralympics they will convince everyone that they are only here to support disabled people rather than what they actual do, which is destroy people's lives."

Too bloody true.

[Vicky.]

I feel like Im the only one bothered about this anymore, but I will post this anyway :hmph:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-steel/mark-steel-they-cant-be-disabled--they-can-swim-8084638.html

Found it ****ing hilarious and so spot on :D

[Livia]

You're not the only one bothered, Vicky. ATOS are a complete disgrace.

[Kizzy]

Was just looking for a link I posted in relation to this in shauns slow news day thread, where the BBC's websites main story was on birds attending funerals.... on the day that protesters stormed into ATOS offices. Can't find it though now :(

[Kizzy]

Found it...:)
The media do seem to be trying to hush it up somewhat to not detract from the paralympics though.
http://www.channel4.com/news/disability-rights-protestors-lobby-paralympic-sponsors-hq

[Vicky.]

Yeah I was reading about the protests yesterday. Apparently the police have broke some guy in a wheelchairs shoulder this time :S

Its seriously got to end. I'm hoping that the paralympics is bringing it all to more peoples attention...as some of the athletes are hiding their atos sponsoprship clothes and that apparently. Everyone needs to know what this horrible company are doing to our disabled tbh...and hopefully it gets sorted, but I really doubt it.

Since Cameron and Osbourne got booed too...Im hoping when they mention ATOS at the closing ceremony the whole place shakes with the amunt of boos. This will show me that the message IS getting out there :)

[arista]

Vicky there is a new Health Sec. today
its J.H.

He will change Atos to better policy.

[Vicky.]

Vicky there is a new Health Sec. today
its J.H.

He will change Atos to better policy.

I very much doubt it, but we can hope.

[arista]

I very much doubt it, but we can hope.


Thats the Spirit

[Kizzy]

Jeremy Hunt!! are you serious he is as bent as a £9 note!
Murdoch had him in his pocket and so will ATOS...

[Kizzy]

This link seems more apt here...
http://www.socialworkfuture.org/index.php/articles-and-analysis/articles/193-the-truth-behind-welfare-reforms
QUOTE:
''Due to the growing public outrage the government finally offered a token gesture in the form of an Emeritus Professor, Professor Malcolm Harrington, and his annual report recommendations are the only recommendations that the government reluctantly accept. Yet, twelve months following the Professor’s initial report, there has been no improvement in the unacceptable experiences of patients who must tolerate an assessment by this private company that remains totally free from all public scrutiny, by either the General Medical Council (GMC) or the Care Quality Commission. The only redress for the victims of this government imposed medical tyranny is to personally report a named doctor to the GMC, who will only accept complaints against Atos medical staff if the assessment decision has been overturned at Appeal…''

[arista]

Jeremy Hunt!! are you serious he is as bent as a £9 note!
Murdoch had him in his pocket and so will ATOS...


We will see

[Vicky.]

Oh dear, this keeps getting better and better D:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-mail-staff-given-access-to-confidential-medical-details-8118203.html

Confidential medical information from sick and disabled people applying for welfare benefits is opened and sorted by Royal Mail staff on behalf of the Government without the claimant's knowledge or consent, The Independent can reveal.

[armand.kay]

Can someone please explain all of this to me. It all sounds interesting but I know nothing :(.

[Kizzy]

Can someone please explain all of this to me. It all sounds interesting but I know nothing :(.

At this time?...no, come back tommorrow :joker:

[Kizzy]

Oh dear, this keeps getting better and better D:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-mail-staff-given-access-to-confidential-medical-details-8118203.html

No way!.... just seen this :shocked:

[Vicky.]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/team-gb-slam-government-plans-1314513

The reason Osbourne was booed at the paralympics.

[Kizzy]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/team-gb-slam-government-plans-1314513

The reason Osbourne was booed at the paralympics.

Haha! almost as much as theresa May and Boris Johnson were :devil::devil:

[the truth]

jeremy hunt? God help us all

[Vicky.]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/nurse-makes-heartfelt-apology-after-1340838#.UGAPkdfCxQA.twitter

More on these assholes :bored:

[King Gizzard]

Imagine working for them :|

[joeysteele]

I do think Jeremy Hunt will be more approachable as to this issue but for me the whole ATOS assessments should be halted and thought about again.

The cost of first dealing with the loss of benefits, the then appeal process and then having to fully re-instate the benefits with likely backdated payments added to the new original costs of all these assessments too, must overall totally defeat the object.
I hope to see more understanding though from Jeremy Hunt.

[Vicky.]

Imagine working for them :|

I cant imagine being an actual medical professional and ending up working for these cirrupt *****. You spend your life trying to help people, and are then stuck lying and cheating people who need help...out of help. Its awful :(

[Nedusa]

Sounds to me ATOS have been given one published agenda, but have been asked by the Govt to follow a different one. Treat every single claimant as a fraudster until otherwise proven. This amounts to Guilty until proven innocent and its at the time,cost and resources of the claimant to pursue the claim once ATOS predictably fails the claim.

This really is the lowest of the low, to pick on people who are just about surviving and to force them to prove they are ill particulary with non physical illnesses is beyond contempt. I empathise with a lot of the earlier posts in this thread. I wish there was a way we could stop this madness....!!!

[Vicky.]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/axemen-atos-face-40m-payday-1352958

Seems this paper is the only one prepared to get on their backs about it...been a few stories in here over the weeks.

[Kizzy]

Hi vicky, soz can't post links have a look at a Guardian article called '' Investigate 'misleading' Atos bid for disability tests contract urges labour''.... :D

[Vicky.]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/nov/01/atos-disability-tests-contract-labour

Nothing surprises me with these dicks anymore tbh :bored:

[Kizzy]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/nov/01/atos-disability-tests-contract-labour

Nothing surprises me with these dicks anymore tbh :bored:

Me either was reading A4e got away with something similar in 2001 though..

[Vicky.]

http://wearespartacus.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/The-Peoples-Review-of-the-Work-Capability-Assessment.pdf

This is a MASSIVE document, 71 pages and Im only on page 24 now, but if anyone has a load of spare time and wants to know exactly how ATOS, the dwp and the government are treating disabled people its well worth a read. Some of the stories are absolutely sickening. These are real peoples experiences of ATOS medicals. I dont actually understand how what they do is legal.

I know not many people will read the whole thing...but pick a random page and read one or two of the stories. The governments mantra that 'genuinely ill people have nothing to fear' will be disproven instantly.

Edit. It seems the real accounts end on page 26.

[Kizzy]

ATOS back in the guardian today, the government are being sued by a disabled guy :)

[joeysteele]

ATOS are failing and whatever agenda they have been 'guided' to as to these re-assessments,it is wrong.

For me, these ATOS re-assessments should be halted and thought about again.
It is the Lib Dems I am amazed at, after talking to several Lib Dem councillors,they too are sick of the wrongs coming out as to ATOS.

As with the 'bedroom tax' however, I am surprised people are not raising this issue with their MPs, or are they and it's just being brushed under the carpet.
From the anger at ATOS,I have found talking to Lib Dem councillors I find it difficult to accept that their MPs are not getting this raised and regularly with them.

I and one of my Friends family, had a big battle with the DWP after an ATOS assessment of his health issues. We won but it was time consuming and hard work not to mention the massive inconveneince in between the decision and appeal result.

The whole format of the ATOS assessments are wrong in my opinion and they are also some the very worst of people to deal with too.

[Vicky.]

ATOS are failing and whatever agenda they have been 'guided' to as to these re-assessments,it is wrong.

For me, these ATOS re-assessments should be halted and thought about again.
It is the Lib Dems I am amazed at, after talking to several Lib Dem councillors,they too are sick of the wrongs coming out as to ATOS.

As with the 'bedroom tax' however, I am surprised people are not raising this issue with their MPs, or are they and it's just being brushed under the carpet.
From the anger at ATOS,I have found talking to Lib Dem councillors I find it difficult to accept that their MPs are not getting this raised and regularly with them.

I and one of my Friends family, had a big battle with the DWP after an ATOS assessment of his health issues. We won but it was time consuming and hard work not to mention the massive inconveneince in between the decision and appeal result.

The whole format of the ATOS assessments are wrong in my opinion and they are also some the very worst of people to deal with too.

Give them time. The letters have only just gone out round here informing people about it...I'm sure a lot won't even know about it until said letter lands on their doorstep...

[Kizzy]

It's great news about the case vicky, if this guy wins then it will surely signal the end of ATOS? :)
The bedroom tax will be a real headache for them, like you say the full extent of who,why and where has not been realised yet. When local councillors and media start putting pressure on MP's in the worst affected areas hopefully that may have an impact.

[Vicky.]

It's great news about the case vicky, if this guy wins then it will surely signal the end of ATOS? :)
The bedroom tax will be a real headache for them, like you say the full extent of who,why and where has not been realised yet. When local councillors and media start putting pressure on MP's in the worst affected areas hopefully that may have an impact.

Oh definitely good news about the case, and I really wish him the best of luck. I doubt even him winning it would signal the end of ATOS though, I would imagine there would need to be a fair few cases until the government are willing to give up this company who are doing EXACTLY what they want ;)

I read my MILs letter about bedroom tax. What some people seem not to be realising (yet) is that its going to hit low paid workers as well as the unemployed...theres a page in the leaflet about this. I imagine a lot of people on minimum wage who have to rely on benefits just to survive (which I disagree with too...no-one in fulltime employment should need to claim benefit to get by, but many do) are going to be well pissed off when they realise that this doesnt just affect the 'scroungers' ;)

[King Gizzard]

https://twitter.com/bananarahmana/status/322373032016494593

[joeysteele]

I have made already some comments on this issue here in the past and I am now really furious with ATOS,the DWP and this vile man Duncan Smith too.

It is best for me not to comment now too much as I was too personally involved but over the last 2 years I have been involved with the family of someone who has in my view been near harrassed by ATOS and the DWP.

We were due to have to face the 3rd assessment via ATOS and the DWP in the next few weeks again after twice winning appeals.
It is not possible now as we lost the person who was severely disabled on Tuesday.

I am really too angry to comment or to list in full my fury and total hate for these heartless assessments being done by ATOS for the DWP in lines with the direction of the most rotten man in politics in my opinion, Ian Duncan Smith.
These ATOS re-assessments should be stopped immediately and Duncan Smith should be sacked,he shouldn't be having any say in decent peoples lives disabled or fully healthy in my view.
.... and there I will leave it.

[hijaxers]

That is exactly the case in my mind. They obviously have targets to meet, and they are trained in ways to get people off ESA etc. I think it goes by some points system. Amazing that doctors/consultants etc can deem someone unfit to work, but their "trained" staff can overthrow such a decision after a half hour verbal interview with no physical examination at all. They just want the numbers down.

Well i'm sure i saw a c4 programme where it said ATOS get £300 for every person they get off of benefits !!

[the truth]

this is not making enough headline news. the news is always poisoned by infinite pro feminist agendas...the disabled barely get a mention these days, its disgusting

[Vicky.]

this is not making enough headline news. the news is always poisoned by infinite pro feminist agendas...the disabled barely get a mention these days, its disgusting
It wont make the news, because its proof that the government are ****ing the disabled. Too many like the believe the official line of 'the genuine disabled have nothing to fear' and bury their heads in the sand to what is happening to the 'genuine disabled'..preferring instead to believe that everyone who is kicked off disability benefits was a fraud. Its not the case at all.

http://tompride.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/atos-tell-woman-with-mental-age-of-3-yrs-to-get-a-job-not-satire-please-share/

[joeysteele]

It wont make the news, because its proof that the government are ****ing the disabled. Too many like the believe the official line of 'the genuine disabled have nothing to fear' and bury their heads in the sand to what is happening to the 'genuine disabled'..preferring instead to believe that everyone who is kicked off disability benefits was a fraud. Its not the case at all.

http://tompride.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/atos-tell-woman-with-mental-age-of-3-yrs-to-get-a-job-not-satire-please-share/

I think I am just going to start a copy and paste as to ''I agree with Vicky''.
You are 100% Spot on again.

Few are taking the time to really find out just what this rotten Govt are really doing to the genuine sick and disabled in the name of reform.
Actually it is more like an attempt at cleansing than reform.

[the truth]

It wont make the news, because its proof that the government are ****ing the disabled. Too many like the believe the official line of 'the genuine disabled have nothing to fear' and bury their heads in the sand to what is happening to the 'genuine disabled'..preferring instead to believe that everyone who is kicked off disability benefits was a fraud. Its not the case at all.

http://tompride.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/atos-tell-woman-with-mental-age-of-3-yrs-to-get-a-job-not-satire-please-share/

I read that labour introduced a new law which meant if the disabled adapted a car to drive, they were then not allowed to transfer the adaptations to any other car, even if its virtually identical. that law meant each time a disabled person buys a car it costs them around £2000 on top to adapt it.

the disabled are always ripped off, ive spent a fortune on making some of my taxis and buses wheelchair access....the expense is a national disgrace....its cost more than some vehicles are worth to adapt them properly

[Vicky.]

I read that labour introduced a new law which meant if the disabled adapted a car to drive, they were then not allowed to transfer the adaptations to any other car, even if its virtually identical. that law meant each time a disabled person buys a car it costs them around £2000 on top to adapt it.

the disabled are always ripped off, ive spent a fortune on making some of my taxis and buses wheelchair access....the expense is a national disgrace....its cost more than some vehicles are worth to adapt them properly

Hmm I'm not sure on that. My friends father gets a car as part of his DLA (he choses to have the car instead of extra money) and the cars he got a choice of cars that were already adapted.

Edit. I think I read your post wrong :p No idea about this law. I dont see how that would work..it would be discrimination, surely?

[the truth]

Hmm I'm not sure on that. My friends father gets a car as part of his DLA (he choses to have the car instead of extra money) and the cars he got a choice of cars that were already adapted.

Edit. I think I read your post wrong :p No idea about this law. I dont see how that would work..it would be discrimination, surely?

I know what Ive said is 100% accurate ITS A FACT. Im tlaking about if a person wants to buy a normal car and get it adapted himself. he has to do this every time, rather than move controls.

also the wheelchair webbing alone in our taxis runs to over £1000 , the electric ramps cost between £2500 and £4000 installed

[Vicky.]

This is all I can find on adaptions

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081112162229/direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028001

Thats from 2008 so labour would still have been in then. Seems they helped disabled people adapt their vehicles via the motibility scheme?


Anyway. ATOS were given their contract by labour to begin with. So they are kinda to blame for whats going on now. However, not fully. The tests were never as draconian as they are now. The coalition tightened the guidelines SO much when they realised people were 'sicker than expected' that now you pretty much have to be a corpse to pass the medicals.


The disabled get the ****ty end of the stick whoever is in power tbh. But it seems worse right now than ever before.

[joeysteele]

This is all I can find on adaptions

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081112162229/direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028001

Thats from 2008 so labour would still have been in then. Seems they helped disabled people adapt their vehicles via the motibility scheme?


Anyway. ATOS were given their contract by labour to begin with. So they are kinda to blame for whats going on now. However, not fully. The tests were never as draconian as they are now. The coalition tightened the guidelines SO much when they realised people were 'sicker than expected' that now you pretty much have to be a corpse to pass the medicals.


The disabled get the ****ty end of the stick whoever is in power tbh. But it seems worse right now than ever before.

Definitely far worse now Vicky, Duncan Smith has taken these assessments now to a whole new and unacceptable cruel level.

[the truth]

This is all I can find on adaptions

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081112162229/direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028001

Thats from 2008 so labour would still have been in then. Seems they helped disabled people adapt their vehicles via the motibility scheme?


Anyway. ATOS were given their contract by labour to begin with. So they are kinda to blame for whats going on now. However, not fully. The tests were never as draconian as they are now. The coalition tightened the guidelines SO much when they realised people were 'sicker than expected' that now you pretty much have to be a corpse to pass the medicals.


The disabled get the ****ty end of the stick whoever is in power tbh. But it seems worse right now than ever before.

yea my uncle drives a mobility car but says the choice is too limited so he buys his own choice of car and adapts it with a semi automatic (tiptronic) system and hand controls....that costs him about £2000 but if he wants to sell his peugeot and buy any other vehicle he has to buy all new controls again? even if its the exact same peugeot, labour made it illegal to move the semi automatic and hand controls across... crazy

both governments have failed the disabled....look at disabled access....my uncle cannot get in most buildings still, that includes church, what a disgrace.

[Vicky.]

http://welfarenewsservice.com/atos-in-2k-disability-discrimination-settlement/#.UWhWzErpcZT

Atos Healthcare have paid out £2,000 + costs (in the process of being finalised) in an out-of-court settlement of a disability discrimination claim arising from an Employment & Support Allowance Work Capability Assessment (WCA) in August 2011. As far as I have been able to find out it is one of the first Equality Act discrimination claims from a benefit claimant that Atos have faced.

I am so glad this guy won his case. I hope there are many more inspired to challenge this disgusting company.

However I fear IDS will just rush through some more emergency legislation to stop this (people winning cases) happening again. Just like he did with the worfare case :bored:

[the truth]

meanwhile not one banker has gone to jail

[King Gizzard]

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