ATOS medical assessment

Hello

I just wanted to share the experience of my Atos medical assessment that I attended In Brighton yesterday.

I was really worried after reading so many horror stories of peoples experiences attending these medicals . It was difficult for me to get there and what should have been an 18 minute journey by bus and short walk, was actually a 90 minute journey due to my health problems.My problem not theirs.

So on arrival once I managed the 3 small steps into the building which I had read was a dreadful place, I was surprised to see that in fact it was not at all as it had been described but actually after the initial claustrophobic enterance I found myself in well lit, calm , clean surroundings with tiolet access and drinking water if needed. Plants and reading material were around to brighten the place.The reception staff were very helpful and could clearly see that I was unwell and allowed my Daughter to do all necessary paperwork and book me in.

I was called through by the Doctor who was to assess me and yes she did watch me walk to the room I had to go into, but she walked with me and asked if I was ok and abale to carry on walking. She politely introduced herslf and started at once with the assessment. I never once felt rushed and was given time to answer all questions in full, to which she sat back and listened and wrote down lengthy replies on her computer, I don't know if she was clicking yes/no boxes but she followed each question with alot of typing and read back to me everything she had put. If I hadn't been so confused and disorintated I may have added more but was quite unwell in there. The questions she asked were everything to do with my illness along with an added illness I have started to be treated for since making my claim.(whether this will be taken into consideration I do not know) also the ususal , can you use a mobile, watch tv, shop, cook, dress, ect) I have kept DWP upto date with all my health and med changes and she did ask if I had done so.
When asked to stand and bend which can be a problem for me , she said not to push myself and stopped me doing so as she could see I couldn't maintain my balance. In all the assessment lasted 90 minutes and on leaving I was unwell and the receptionist gave me a chair and water.When I was able to stand again, they took me to a different exit so I didn't have to use the 3 steps . I now have to wait 3 weeks for my results. So I just wanted to let people know that it can be different for everyone and the best thing is to go with an open mind, be honest and just see what happens. I know I may still not pass the medical and am no where near relaxing about it, but first hurdle over and a little respite before the next one.
Good Luck everyone, I will let you know the outcome as soon as know.

Hi mamawange

Pleased to hear that your medical went well, or as well as could be expected.

Best of luck with the results, and try not to worry about it until then.

Derek

Thank you Derek

You are always there for me. I do appreciate your replies.It is a worry and I do appreciate that everyone on here is going through hard, tough, desperate times. I just wanted to try and maybe give a little peace of mind to someone who may be waiting to go for their medical assessment and feels as afraid as I did yesterday.
I will take your advice on board and do my best not to worry about the results until it is time.
Thank you again.

Just to add a bit more wieght to this post,I had,like most other people heard about some of the ridiculous decisions made by Atos assessors.However my medical was in many ways similar to mamawange,I suffer from Obliterative Bronchiolitis.(at least thats what my specialist thinks)this can't be confirmed without a biopsy,and due to my breathing problems, is too risky.So I Attended the assessment expecting the worst,not having a confirmed diagnosis.However the doctor I saw could not have been more sympathetic,he did go through all the questions on the computer but all the way through he tended to urge me to answer the way that the questions needed to be answered.and the medical at the end was no more than a cursory check on my breathing,and within one week I had been placed in the support group.So to those of you that have yet to attend an ESA medical,don't assume that all the assessors are the same,some (like mine did, use their common sense)I think it may be useful for contributors to this forum who experienced medicals like myself and mamawange should let people know that not every assessment is doomed to fail.