Comments on: Close-Ended Questions

By: Bill Kruse

Bill Kruse — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 14:52:40 +0000

I’m sorry to hear this though not at all surprised. You might get some guidance here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/612329/financial-redress-for-maladministration-dwp-staff-guide.pdf You’ll need proper advice, I would imagine, you should ask your MP (whether they’re helpful or not), and if I were you I’d try the Fightback people on Facebook. Are you on FB?

By: Mr Colin Foxon

Mr Colin Foxon — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 12:53:11 +0000

My Wife had a Atos assesment, and in the report it stated a comprehensive examination was carried out, with results of movements etc, this examination did not take place, two weeks later she saw her Doctor who also examined her and he agreed that the statement was untrue. The Doctor was so concerned over my wife’s worsening condition she was refered to a Neuro Surgeon, who carried out a thorough exmamiation and said she needs an operation, due to the stress of being moved from High rate care and mobility to low rate care and total loss of mobility, my wife suffered a mini stroke, her stroke consultant confirmed stress as the most likely cause. My Wife cannot have the operation due to the Surgeons concern that she could suffer another stroke due to the nature of the operation. I want to sue Atos and DWP for the damage caused to my Wifes health and the financial loss incurred, I feel she deserves compensation for all that has been suffered due to Atos lies and manipulating the Assesment,
I don’t know where to start, could someone help or advise please.

By: Concerned

Concerned — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 19:24:44 +0000

Very good points and well written article.

We pay National Insurance to ensure we are covered should we become sick or disabled. Should a private insurance company fiddle health assessments to deny paying out, they would be taken to court.
The DWP may consider they are beyond the law? Unum’s involvement is very concerning. These concerns are under-reported in the mainstream press, so thank you for raising these points as these questions need to be raised, highlighted and the word spread. Unfortunately the discrimination and demonising of the sick and disabled makes it all the harder.

By: Sue Marsh

Sue Marsh — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 18:21:14 +0000

Fascinating post.
If we can’t be sure from the questions an assessor asks, then it comes down to their training. They are trained to be “hard” – never to think of the “patient” always the “claimant” etc. they are trained therefore to use the closed questions of the assessment without humanity or sympathy.
So, a humane assessor would ask if a claimant can pick up a pound coin and answer yes or no, not “yes but with extreme difficulty” though there is space to write this.
So ministers claim it is up to the HCP when their training dictates otherwise.
So it is a combination of closed questioning and removing humanity from the test which is at fault.