ESA Medical - DISGUSTING TREATMENT!

Well what a day! No sleep last night and OH was a complete wreck walking the few yards from where we were dropped off to the medical centre as he someone he knew! At least this time we didnt have to wait 2 hrs to be told to go home. Medical interview was quite formal scattered with many instances of OH unable to get his words out and becoming very upset. Anyway most of the questions were related to his depression (which was originally brought on due to his injuries) which were glanced over really but I dont think he managed to answer them very well so not sure.

He said it could be days, weeks or months before we hear anything and that he was judged under the 'new guidelines'.

Only one thing made me slightly upbeat was the fact he did not carry out the WRHA! I take this as a good sign and the fact they contacted his GP about his medical history prior to interview, but am I clutching at straws?? Its just that I remember reading if they are sure you are going into WR group, they would do this straight after.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Now we have the trauma of just.......waiting!

in the old days, i good clue was always when the medical was done, the doctor asked if you wanted to claim traveling expences. if you failed, they said to see your GP in 10 days.

with atos, there is no way of knowing. but, ether way, ask the DWP for the IB85.

i have my fingers crossed for you

Hi Max,

Not to dampen your spirits but last year my husband had initial medical, his BP was dangerously high on the day. Medical only lasted around 15 mins and the DR wrote to his GP re his BP.

From then he was put on a second BP tablet in addition to his first.

He didnt have his WFHA on the same day but they did get him back within a month for this part. He was waiting on an operation and on the WFHA, the Dr put him down for review and a possible return to work in 6 months.

Low and behold, just yesterday he returned another ESA form which was sent out to him a few weeks ago. He only had his operation in March, developed a clot after the op which has only just begun to disperse and is waiting on his final WFI at the job centre, he has already attended 5.

He has worked for 30 years, only ever out of work a few months for an appendix op and claimed IB for 3 months I think. But had to come out of work last July, and it's not even been a year yet and he has had 2 medicals, 1 WFHA, 5 WFI's (operation in March), (complications in Aril/May) Another ESA form to complete, and no doubt yet another medical soon.

Talk about hounding the sick....It's disgusting.
Even the girl he sees at the Job Centre thinks it's rediculous and has actually engouraged my husband to appeal if they find him fit for work at his next medical.

Kathy x

Since the harrowing 'eventual' ESA medical in early June, my hubby has heard nothing regarding his application He has not been requested back for a WRHA which judging by more recent news, seems unlikely anyway. He is still being paid at the assessment phase rate. How long should we wait before reminding them that this is yet to be finalised? He was told by Pathways not to go back to them after his second interview as deemed 'unnecessary'.

Hi Maximus,

It's ridiculous, but not unusual, that you haven't heard by now. We can't advise when you shoud chase it up, but it would certainly be reasonable to expect to have had a decision this long after the medical.

Good luck,

Steve

Hi Maximus,
I had a very similar situation, I was kept waiting for over an hour on a very hot day and they could clearly see that I was in a lot of pain. No apology for the delay or anything, in hindsight I suspect that the person seeing me wasn't even in the building as I was the only one waiting to see her.
I rang them yesterday to see if they had any update on my medical that I had approx 1 month ago. They told me they are just receiving April/May results so to forget about mine until September/October, although they said that Atos have put extra staff on to deal with the backlog.I asked if they realised that they are causing more stress with the long wait for results etc, the attitude was "well you are being paid while you wait" as if that is meant to help.
I hope it all goes well for you.
Sue