[arista]

The French Firm does not like Death Threats

[Sickness benefit tests firm pulls out of
£500million contract after death threats to staff
Atos Healthcare staff are increasingly
coming under attack, source claims
Around 160 incidents of staff being
assaulted or abused each month last year
Atos has been in discussions about
ending contract for 'several months' ]


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz2xFcq1dI7

[Kizzy]

Yes it's being taken over by OH Assist I think, who are...... wait for it....... ATOS.

'OH Assist ... OH Assist™ is a trading name of Atos IT Services UK Limited. OH Assist™ - a trademark of the Atos Group. © Atos S.E. 2014. All rights reserved.'

[Vicky.]

They are a ****ing disgusting company.

Well, I dont think its the company, its what they agree to do to get their paycheck. I'm quite sure they are under orders to get as many people off the sick as possible, no matter how ill they are and what the consequences might be. I also heard their staff get bonuses for each person they remove from disability benefits..though I'm not too sure if thats true.

[joeysteele]

ATOS have proven to be incompetent and in my view they have been the initial cause of unnecessary distress caused to genuine claimants.

Whatever agenda and possible targets they were expected to make have been unjust and totally unfair, I am sure if Ian Duncam Smith had any input to the 'expected results' then little wonder they have failed and more to point been so heartless and unjust.

Good riddance to ATOS,they have made bad recommendations from their so called health professionals who probably are anything but health professionals of any standing.
Paper decisions have been made as to claimants that have been totally unfair and wrong,thankfully overturned in appeal after appeal.

I would say Labour were wrong to ever bring in ATOS,however the new intensity and shocking disability tests are the product of this Govt and ATOS,so this should be a good bit of news that ATOS are now likely out the picture.

Who comes next and gets the contract next year however, that iss till cause for concern and no permanent decision should be made until after the general election in 2015 inmy view.
Also the questions asked and the criteria for assessing being fit for work needs a big overhaul with compassion and common sense added to the tests and not ridiculous the really questions and tests that exist currently.

[Kizzy]

The Department for Work and Pensions has been ordered to disclose the number of Incapacity Benefit and ESA claimants who have died between November 2011 and May 2014.

The ruling comes from the Information Commissioner after an appeal by Vox Political‘s Mike Sivier.

But it seems likely to have been delayed – possibly for political reasons. If the number of deaths has been high, then it would generate a backlash against the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties that presided over them in the Coalition Government.

Mr Sivier said: “The decision notice was ready in February, but the Information Commissioner’s Office delayed its release for reasons that have not been given. Suppose a large number of deaths have taken place – I have heard suggestions that 60,000 people or more may have died as a result of government policy.

“It seems clear that the revelation of many deaths may turn voters away from supporting the Conservatives or Lib Dems – so it seems appropriate to question that delay. Will the election result be valid if the number of deaths is not known on May 7?”

The DWP had refused a Freedom of Information request on the grounds that the information would be published in the future (a section 22 exemption) – but the Information Commisioner found that officials had been wrong to do so.

The ruling means the DWP must disclose – within 35 calendar days of April 30 – the number of IB and ESA claimants who have died between November 2011 and May 2014, broken down into the following categories:

Those in the assessment phase,
Those who were found fit for work,
Those who were placed in the work-related activity group,
Those who were placed in the support group, and
Those who had an appeal pending.

http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2015/0...elated-deaths/

[joeysteele]

If,this is an accurate listing,it will make interesting but very sad reading.
Pity it wasn't coming out before this election took place.