Esa Medical

Hi Everyone, I just thought I would let you all know about my esa medical experience. I went yesterday afternoon my daughter took the afternoon off work so was able to take me. There were loads of other people in the waiting room so I expected a long wait. Infact I didn,t have to wait long at all I was called in about 10 mins after the time I had been given. I did notice that all the people who were doing the medicals were women and the lady who did mine was only a nurse. She asked me a few questions then gave me a chance to explain how my day to day life is at present. I then had a simple examination were I had to push against her hand and turn my hands over, she did ask me to touch my toes which I couldn,t do. That was it really she seemed really nice and understanding but after reading other peoples experiences I think they all come accross that way. She said I would get to hear in about 2 weeks. I am not holding my breath but it did go alot better that I thought and wasn,t half as bad as I thought it was going to be. I would love to know of other peoples experiences

Hi Anne

I too have noticed that the vast majority of Approved Disability Analysts in medical centres are female.

Many of them are very friendly and charming until you've left the room. That's when they have a personality change - and write your medical report.

Good luck

Derek

My advice is write your impairments on the form when you receive it, give examples truthfully and stick like glue to your pre disclosed account and make sure you have a witness present.

This combined with support from your GP or other healthcare professional, is the best way of securing your rights.

Leave nothing to chance

It's really important to take a fiend with you, for moral support but also ask them to take plenty of notes. Also write down afterwards anything that seems important to you ... Because the chances are that when you see the report you will (very often) find it differs wildly from your memory of what took place. At that point, it's great to have your friend confirm that you DIDN'T say all the things ATOS have misquoted to you and that you DID say all the things you remember which have been entirely omitted and ignored.

Firstly you know you're not going mad (or madder)
Secondly it's good to have someone who KNOWS what really happened.
Thirdly you can decide which bits of the report to pull to shreds in your appeal.

Andy wrote:

It's really important to take a fiend with you

Yes, 'cos they have fiends of their own