info please about recording atos medical

You could record the medical as audible proof of what went on and try to use the recording later. There are some threads which talk about this and there are issues about getting permission in the first place to make such a recording and then there is the question of admissibility of the recording as evidence if you didn't get permission.

(There was some extraordinary requirement imposed by ATOS to have a qualified engineer present with calibrated equipment to make the recording but ISTR that requirement was fought and such an outrageous thing is no longer an issue.)

Speaking purely personally, I find it enormously useful for my own purposes to be able to review what was discussed at such assessments. On that basis alone (whether I am allowed to or not) in my own case I would go ahead and make the recording. of course I don't wisht o incite you to do something you would not otherwsie do, so you must make up your own mind.

If you go ahead then I suggest you think carefully about what you need to do to get a clear and intelligible recording. Some basic recorders are too muffled. Try and use a separate mic and try not to have it on your person but in a bag or in a file you are carrying. It's not a bad idea to have 2 recorders in separate locations case one recorder gets handling noise at a critical point of interest in the recording.

The usual advice applies .... Check you know how to work your recorder with your eyes closed and make sure there are no snafus like a recorder which will go from RECORD to PLAY at the touch of an unsecured button (which could make for an very embarrassing event!). Fresh batteries of course. Tape over any indicator lights. Preferably use a recorder which lets you transfer the recording to permanent storage like a PC file. Start the actual recording well in advance of the time you are actually in the exam room. If you haven't done this before then do not underestimate how surprisingly nervous some people may feel at doing this.

Finni

Could anyone, please, direct me to any information published by the DWP following the completion of the supposed ‘pilot’ (of 4 to 6 weeks, commencing 21 03 11) of the audio recording of medical assessments which the DWP was obliged to carry out following the Harrington report?

I would be much obliged.

Neat advice Finni --especially about having 2 recorders and knowing how to use with eyes closed.

Of course make transcript afterwards ---even for own use it will be worthwhile.

I suggest you only warn Atos in advance if you are confident about employing the legal proprieties and asserting your rights if any challenge will likely be put to you.

I have yet to experience any challenge when one prefaces overt intention to record by demanding, IN WRITING, beforehand what Prohibitory or Mandatory or Discretionary sections or clauses or schedules or any other parts of legislation [Acts of Parliament and Enabling Instruments, or Codes of Practice or Guidance]are being relied upon to prevent recording.
One's experience is that you will be fobbed off with vague pap ---Stand your ground! Demand the exact legislation and all relevant parts. They will likely have to time-consumingly check with in-house legal dept. and will be non-plussed, initially.
Take advantage of your pro-active stand and be amenably assertive ---even if having to repeat 3,4, 5 times in writing.

Remember Corporal Jones' dictum in Dad's Army

There was a short statement on a website whose name now escapes me, that the six week pilot recording of medical assessments at the Newcastle upon Tyne MEC has now been completed, and the government are currently evaluating the evidence.

This came to my notice about three weeks ago, and as yet there is still no official announcement as to the outcome of the pilot scheme. As Gordon says there must be something in the results of the pilot recordings that the government don't like, because I am sure that if in the extremely unlikely event the pilots proved to be unfavourable towards the recording of the assessments, the government would be shouting from the rooftops by now!

Many thanks for swift and helpful responses, Gordon and Crazy D. Looks like this hardy perennial of a topic has a while to go yet!

I couldn't find anything up to yesterday, so bunged in an FOI request, but by or before the time that is responded to (which I will report here, if still relevant) my guess is we will have some further 'weasel words' from the DWP...

In the meantime, claimants all, as had been said many times, it remains not illegal covertly to record; it is the legality of trying to prevent someone recording which is in question.