Complant to ATOS

Update: What I thought was a letter from ATOS complaints to DWP has now arrived in the post. It is in fact a PA5 form filled in by a 2nd assessor following a request to ATOS from DWP at the time of my Mandatory Reconsideration for any changes to the 1st assessment report and whether the content was OK. This appears to be a useless exercise as without another assessment there aren't likely to be any changes although she did say she had reviewed all the available evidence. This could explain why so few claims are changed at MR stage. But what was even more irritating was a statement written on the back of the form declaring that "there is no harmful content in the report". This is signed by a nurse who I assume is registered with her appropriate professional body where there are rules about the standard of care she should give to all she comes in contact with during her career. So does this include when she's working for ATOS? When talking about harm. What do you call all the things the 1st assessor lied about which she knew I have would a right to see including the made up story of the water bottle. The desired result the 1st assessor wanted to achieve is harmful to the extreme in making sure I get as little money as possible if any. 

@Matilda, I know we all have to do what is best for ourselves. Going to appeal does not appeal (sorry about the pun) to me because of the length of time you have to wait with no guarantee of success at the end of it. You also risk losing what you've already got. I didn't ask for a 2nd Mandatory Reconsideration the DM who did the 1st MR put in her reasons for keeping things to same that if any of the "medical advice" changed from ATOS or if I sent in more evidence she would look at my claim again. I would be crazy not to let this happen. It may result in the same decision and if so I will stick with what I've got until I have more test results or things get worse and go for supersession hopefully with no hassle. Things won't change if all of us just accept the way we've been treated.

Just popping in with an update. ATOS have gone quiet after sending a letter to say my complaint is now at stage 2 with  a senior manager investigating it. I've sent 3 emails with more info. about my assessor. None of which have been answered or even acknowledged. After contacting HCPC the professional council she should have been registered with it turns out there is someone with the same name on their register but whose age and past work history do not match up with my assessor. She must have thought all her birthdays had come at once when she came across someone she could pretend to be. She's in for a big surprise when she finds out she hasn't got away with this very serious disception. I would advise you all to check with ATOS before hand who will be doing your assessment and what their professional qualifications are. Once you have this information you can check online whether they are registered or not. I am very annoyed that I was in a room with someone who was doing a physical exam. including skin to skin contact and with no qualifications and was extracting info. from me about my personal life and medical history. Information that is supposed to be confidential. HCPC are investigating the 2 people and will confirm asap that they are not the same person. In the meantime I have sent more info. to ATOS asking for an urgent investigation. I've also rung the DWP and logged on their system that I do not accept any reports or letters being sent from ATOS to DWP about my claim until this matter is sorted out.        

Hi @Nystagmite, Don't give up. I've used letters, emails and phone calls including a forward booked call back from a Decision Maker to give me time to prepare questions to make my point that my assessor lied. There was a very provable lie on her report and my husband was a witness so finally I feel I'm getting somewhere. Mind you it would not surprise me if I got offered the same again next time a brown envelope comes through the door, but I will keep fighting. I would have to decide whether to go to a tribunal but will still have the satisfaction of seeing my assessor made accountable for her actions. As she appears to have used someone else's registration as a Paramedic on HCPC she will be dealt with in the fullness of time. Good Luck with your claim and to everyone keep fighting for what you know is right. You will not just be helping yourself but others who have yet to claim...

@Scope Still no news from ATOS re my complaint. Can you suggest a timescale to wait for a reply if I get one at all as I'm wanting to take it to ICE. Can I do that while ATOS are still investigating it? If I ring them to try and find out what's happening what should I say. I don't want to be fobbed off.