PIP ATOS (IAS) Health condition descriptions — Scope | Disability forum
If we become concerned about you or anyone else while using one of our services, we will act in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures. This may involve sharing this information with relevant authorities to ensure we comply with our policies and legal obligations.

Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Please read our updated community house rules and community guidelines.

PIP ATOS (IAS) Health condition descriptions

Waylay
Waylay Community member, Scope Member Posts: 973 Pioneering
Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has a recent copy of the paperwork that IAS (ATOS) Health Professionals are given for disabilities/health conditions (probably when they're training)? As far as I can tell, they have no training in chronic pain, which is shocking. I'm looking for chronic low back pain, sciatica, depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. 

Ty!

Comments

  • Yadnad
    Yadnad Posts: 2,856 Disability Gamechanger
    Waylay said:
    Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has a recent copy of the paperwork that IAS (ATOS) Health Professionals are given for disabilities/health conditions (probably when they're training)? As far as I can tell, they have no training in chronic pain, which is shocking. I'm looking for chronic low back pain, sciatica, depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. 

    Ty!
    Why would they need training in respect of disability/health issues?
    They are not there to diagnose nor are they there to interpret.
    They have some basic health qualification and that's all they need.

    The computer asks the questions and they just tick the box that best describes what they think. The result is their opinion which to be honest is not related to any medical or health related issue.
    An IT engineer could do the assessment.
    Having some health education just helps sometimes.
  • Waylay
    Waylay Community member, Scope Member Posts: 973 Pioneering
    Because chronic pain is a syndrome, and involves a lot more than pain. My assessor clearly disbelieved me when I told him that it causes fatigue and a bunch of other things.
  • Yadnad
    Yadnad Posts: 2,856 Disability Gamechanger
    Waylay said:
    Because chronic pain is a syndrome, and involves a lot more than pain. My assessor clearly disbelieved me when I told him that it causes fatigue and a bunch of other things.
    I have heard said that chronic pain also causes depression - thankfully my last assessment read that I do not have any pain (because I take medication for it) and thus cannot conceivably be depressed.

  • Waylay
    Waylay Community member, Scope Member Posts: 973 Pioneering
    @Yadnad *rolls eyes* My God, that's insane.

Brightness

Complete our feedback form and tell us how we can make the community better.

Do you need advice on your energy costs?


Scope’s Disability Energy Support service is open to any disabled household in England or Wales in which one or more disabled people live. You can get free advice from an expert adviser on managing energy debt, switching tariffs, contacting your supplier and more. Find out more information by visiting our
Disability Energy Support webpage.