AFTER ATOS On Line Website & Feedback Survey for All Those Taking the Atos ESA “Medical” Assessments
RESULTS 15TH MAY 2011 afteratos.org
AFTER ATOS was set up by a user / disabled person and Facebook friend who set up the website. After seeing personal testimonies and horror stories were coming out in the news and media about Atos assessments and yet there was no attempt to get the feedback from the disabled by any official survey or enquiry. There seemed to be a gross basic omission in the intervention of disabled and chronically sick people. The final affect and outcome on the patient/customer. The final note on any medical or nursing note is the “Discharge.” Where they discharged well and healthy to go home and have a happy life, where they discharged with further complications and deterioration or were they discharged in a box, deceased? No one was trying to get these answers and nobody seemed to be bothered. Therefore, I thought I might as well. We have no political or group affiliations, the only affiliations we have are with other disabled people who are suffering and being abused through the actions of Atos, with this suffering and abuse seemingly being backed up by our survey. The survey was set up mid March 2011 and has only been shared via a Facebook account. AFTER ATOS has now a website afteratos.org After just a few days our site has attracted response, not just from UK and Northern Ireland, but worldwide. In just one week from MayDay Bank Holiday it attracted over 7000 visitors in just 7 days. That is 1000 visitors per day. From an initial pilot study run of 2 surveys and responses the first results were put up in 15th March – 15th April on line via Facebook, YouTube and website. And now ,here are our second batch of monthly results and overall statistics.
WHERE HAVE OUR RESPONDENTS COME FROM? ALL OVER GREAT BRITAIN AND UK. (IN JUST ONE MONTH BY WORD OF MOUTH AND FACEBOOK NETWORKING)
Uppingham
glasgow Newcastle upon Tyne
Manchester
Telford
Exeter
Bath
Stratford on Avon
sunderland
leigh
stoke on trent
Glasgow.
Milton Keynes Dumbarton LANCASTER Billinge Wigan
Doncaster Liverpool
EDINBURGH
Poole Caerphilly
cheltenham Clacton on sea
ATOS COUNTS THE DISABLED OUT. AFTER ATOS COUNTS THEM BACK IN
These are our respondents for the 15th April – 15th May Survey London LONDON Brentwood Epsom ebbwvale Amlwch peterborough Peterborough Grimsby grimsby Swindon brighton Crowborough Eastligh Reading Didcot Southampton Bournemouth Margate Littlehampton Salisbury Rainworth
Stockton-on-Tees leeds York Blackpool Liverpool Leeds bradford preston St Helens Sheffield Skelmorlie Sunderland BURNLEY Blandford Shepton Mallet truro glasgow arbroath Edinburgh Edinburgh Lochore Edinburgh
Dundee Edinburgh Dumbarton dudley Leamington Spa Derby Coventry Buxton Shrewsbury Shrewsbury
Original Types of Disability on First Survey Results Heart failure
bowl disorder
Complex issues/trauma
hypo thyroidism
chronic fatigue poly cystic ovarian syndrome
Labrynthitus
FRACTURED LEG NOT MENDED
ms
PTSD
CFS/ME
Arthritis
swine flu
M.E.
depression
Fibromyalgia
Back injury
bipolar
No named diagnosis
Anxiety Depression
PTSD
degenerative disc disease
multiple sclerosis
Bipolar disorder STROKE Bi-polar Degenerative disc disease
Types of Disability that have replied since 15th April – 15th May 2011 There are many with complex and multiple diagnosis
1ST DIAGNOSIS autism Asperger's syndrome Bursitis Fibromyalgia Depression PTSD CFS/ME Fibromyalgia 1976 breast cancer kabuki syndrome narcolepsy M.E. (Myalgic Encepholopathy) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Stroke Post-Traumatic Stress Charcot Marie Tooth Disease 2 head injury bi polar fibromyalgia Agoraphobia ankylosis spondylitis CFS Depression autism Asperger's syndrome Bursitis
2ND DIAGNOSIS
3RD DIAGNOSIS
ADHD Cervical foraminal stenosis Hypermobility Depression and Anxiety
Dyspraxia
Depression Clinical Depression 1998 hcv reflex anoxic seizures cataplexy Bipolar disorder Depression/Anxiety
Hypothyroidism
Diabetic Cheiroarthropathy Chronic Pain Anxiety State
2007 anxiety/depression autistic spectrum central apnea Overactive bladder
Dyslexia
chronic fatigue syndrome Anxiety scoliosis Chronic Anxiety Anxiety
left hand deformity Depression
ADHD Cervical foraminal stenosis
Dyspraxia
Social Phobia Low Back Pain
Diabetic Cheiroarthropathy
Questions & Answers
HAVE YOU TAKEN THE ATOS MEDICAL ASSESSMENT?
WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THE ASSESSMENT?
WHO IS FILLING IN THIS FORM?
Did you provide additional supporting evidence from other people?
WHAT TYPE OF DISABILITY DO YOU HAVE?
IS YOUR CONDITION TEMPORARY, INTERMITTENT, PERMANENT DETERIORATING, (MS, MN, MD, PARKINSONS etc) OR TERMINAL?
How was the Building and the Assessor?
HOW ACCESSIBLE WAS THE BUILDING FOR DISABLED PARKING?
HOW ACCESSIBLE WAS THE BUILDING FOR GETTING IN?
HOW SUITABLE WAS THE INTERVIEW ROOM?
HOW ACCESSIBLE WAS THE BUILDING INSIDE?
HOW WAS THE ASSESSOR’S ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS YOU?
HOW DID THE ASSESSOR COMMUNICATE AND ENGAGE WITH YOU?
How was the assessor's knowledge and understanding of your condition?
HOW DID THE ASSESSMENT ADEQUATELY INVESTIGATE AND REFLECT YOUR CONDITION?
How has the Atos Assessment its Decision affected you?
HOW HAS THE ATOS ASSESSMENT AND DECISION AFFECTED YOU?
FINANCES
HOW HAS THE ATOS ASSESSMENT AND DECISION AFFECTED YOU?
PHYSICAL HEALTH
HOW HAS THE ATOS ASSESSMENT AND DECISION AFFECTED YOU?
MENTAL HEALTH
HOW HAS THE ATOS ASSESSMENT AND DECISION AFFECTED YOU?
CARE AND SUPPORT
HOW HAS THE ATOS ASSESSMENT AND DECISION AFFECTED YOU?
FAMILY AND SOCIAL LIFE
HOW HAS THE ATOS ASSESSMENT AND DECISION AFFECTED YOU?
WORK
What has happened and what have you done since?
Have you informed anyone else?
Have you made an Appeal?
Have you won your appeal?
Would you be interested in sharing your testimony used if press, media or other interested and influential bodies were interested?
What the respondents told us
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS
LIE
What our disabled respondents said: (Spelling mistakes are kept in as written to prove veracity)
“She did not write what I said but the opposite. She knew I had complained about a previous examination despite me being assured she would not.” “He kept pressing me about walking - "Well you walk to the shop, right?" "No, actually I don't, it's too painful. I told him it took 3 days for me to recover from the exertion and obviously he put in that I could walk 500 yards without problems! " “The asseror would let my sister speak up for me when i was distressed crying she showed no empathy , and when i recieved forms she staited i was alone at the interview , i presented myself well ,I could barely stand up due to dizziness and verytigo “Did write down what I said but changed it a bit, said I did things I did not do said I came by train but I came by bus which 2 mins away. said I prefer someone to come places with me, I need. said eat and drink fine yet I can not. and said got on couch fine when I couldt and my daughter helped me. This is not the first one I have been to the other lady I saw before lied alot so when to tribunle and won that one.”
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS LIE
(cont..)
“He just wasn't interested in my conditions and told lies on the ESA 85 report he supplied to the DWP decison maker. For instance I was asked to bend my back to touch my knees, he saw I couldn't do it, realising I have passed the test on this alone. He decided to substitute bending my back for squatting (which he didn't ask me to do) instead.”
“On my initial assessment I was told they could not continue and I had to see a doctor who was trained in Neurology, so a further appointment was amde for 3 weeks time. When I eventually saw the doctor at my second appointment, he kept me waiting 35 minutes beofre I was called in. He just shouted my name and then disappeared back into his room, leaving me looking for the correct room to go in. Once in the room with him, he asked me what seemed random questions, but didn't seem to be listening to my replies. I told him that I couldn't manage on a daily basis, the problems I had showering, prepairing food, sleeping and he scored me 0 points on all accounts even though I could not do any of them.”
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS CAUSE UNNECESSARY PHYSICAL PAIN & DISCOMFORT Some of what our disabled respondents said: “When i was being assesed i was asked to do a range of movements which i could , i have difficulty with muscle pain and fatuige . I cried most of the interview as i really didnt know what was wrong with me only that i had Fibromyalgia ( march i found out private toxicoligy i had been poisined with pesticides )”
“The nurse herself was nice but stabbed me in the back on paper. She took my reflexes as part of the exam and could not find any - evidence of neurological disease. I could not move my legs properely and she appeared to think that by forcing them to move, this was acceptable no matter how much pain I was in. On my report she noted I did not appear in any pain, despite me telling her I was in agony and had been sick in the car on the journey up.”
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS CAUSE UNNECESSARY PHYSICAL PAIN & DISCOMFORT (cont...)
“she was agressive and domineering, telling me off. I left in far more pain than i got there in. she had not interest in the pain level and made me do things that seriously hurt me. I cried out in pain so she knew when she hurt me but she did it more) she forced my legs up where they didn't want to go while i was still adjusting to the change in position i had to be in when i laid on the couch. she made no effort to help me off the floor when i fell (had to crawl to table and use that) or made any mention in the report of the fall. said in report she tested my back for spasms but she didn't touch it. lied a lot in report.” “she was very friendly, but i realised she was trying to trip me up all the time, she said "so when you're running up and down the stairs, do you get any back pain?" well, i've never complained of back pain, so the answer would have been "no" but of course i cannot walk up stairs, never mind run.....i did point that out to her, she just smiled. the worst thing she did was to get me to lie on a couch and asked me to lift my legs and then to rotate them at the hip, i can do this with my right leg but not the left, she got hold of my ankle and twisted my left leg, i had to limp out of the place, my gp said the popliteal something or other had ruptured......so i'm still recovering from that. basically, she inflicted an injury on me!”
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS
CAUSE MENTAL & EMOTIONAL DISTRESS Some of what our disabled respondents said: “He wrote the exact opposite to every question he asked me. He laughed at me because I was unable to do things he was asking of me. And when I opened my eyes he was rolling his eyes at the "nurse" and I felt ridiculed. In fact afterwards I felt violated.” “The assessor just sat behind a desk and barked questions at me, which caused me to have a panic attack, to which she told me to "stop messing about“
“The NURSE looked at me like I was a criminal, and treated me like one. and Contradicted everything that was told to her.” Disabled are Responsible for family and are carers too. No money means no money for children too. ESA Assessments Splits up families and separates children from parents “I am actually having to press the local LEA to have my son placed in a residential special school because I'm unable to cope with trying to work, my health and be a carer to my child.”
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS CAUSE MENTAL & EMOTIONAL DISTRESS (cont..) Causes distress in PTSD Victims by making them re-tell, re-visit and re-live trauma Increases Suicide and Self-harm Incidents in Abuse Survivors. Up to 10% Atos Undoes all the Good Work and Therapy that has been done. “After I received the decision, I was unable to sleep 1 night out of every 2, I lost 1 stone in weight, I punched and cut myself in an attempt to relieve my rage, frustration and sense of powerlessness, but even so, I came to within 2 days of suicide (I had planned to take pills and slash my wrists). If my favourably reconsidered decision had not come through in those few days I would be dead.” “As a result of this experience; I can no longer talk about what was done to me and its effects upon my life; because the treatment I received at the hands of ATOS caused me to associate talking with further traumatisation, deprivation and abuse. In other words, talking equals punishment- as was also the case when I was a little girl. So because of ATOS I am now too afraid to talk and am therefore permanently barred from any hope of recovery.” “I am an adult survivor of child abuse; and after retraumatisation too ill to work. All of which were completely ignored by ATOS @ who very nearly pushed me into taking my own life through the additional pressure and absolute despair that they exposed me to. I am now back with the Intensive Mental Health Support Team. They has pushed me to become more ill.”
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS
Act Contrary to Good Professional Ethics, Knowledge and Practice Some of what our disabled respondents said “She went as far as telling me to put my parents into care, and that caring and voluntary jobs are not work. At the time I was a disabled carer and and under a lot of stress and suffering from sleep deprivation and living on dyhydracodeine phosphate for pain”
“Asked a couple of closed question, stopped me whan I tried to explain further the nature and affect of my condition. Typed while I talked. Did not give eye contact. Did NOT give a physical examination & so did not see me without jeans, where a structual engineer would not be required to see my legs are deformed and unstable. Had absolutely no knowledge of my condition (Ehlers Danlos)” Refuse to look at or consider evidence provided “He had poor spoken English very difficult to understand Did not take into account my conditions very poor medical examination, he either misunderstood or deliberately ignored my conditions, would NOT read copies of letters from several Consultants, doctors, surgeons, and would not let me leave copies with him.”
ATOS ESA “MEDICAL” ASSESSORS Act Contrary to Good Professional Ethics, Knowledge and Practice (cont..)
No knowledge or understanding of Autism or Aspergers
“Actually told me I had Asperger's rather than autism so he diagnosed me with a different condition! Made my mum shut up so she could not tell him about my disability. I told him I was not good with numbers and maths” It affected my mum and me and I had little money to help mum with the bills. I went to appeal. the Doctor wrote in my report that that I needed some counselling for my numeracy problems! I am obsessed with Star Wars and that is all I think and talk about. I can't get a job in that!!
Other professionals already know about Atos Assessor’s Unprofessionalism but can do nothing to protect their patient or their profession the answers he put on the report was totally different to what i said, and this happened on the previous occasion when i had assessment with this assesor he did exactly the same with questions and did not write I the answers given by myself. Spoke to dr and clinic they advised me that they hear this frequently. having this illness is bad enough without all the stress etc with having to deal with this also.
Overall Results Who Passed, Who Failed, &Types of Disability 15th March – 15th May 2011 There are many with complex and multiple diagnosis
What was the result Fit for work Fit for work
1st Diagnosis Bipolar mental health
Fit for work Fit for work
Complex issues/trauma chronic fatigue poly cyclstic ovarian syndrome PTSD Arthritis M.E. Fibromyalgia bipolar
Fit for work Fit for work Not fit for work Not fit for work Not answered Not answered Not answered Not answered Not answered Not answered Not answered Not fit for work Not fit for work Fit for work Fit for work
Anxiety Depression degenerative disc disease Bipolar disorder Chronic Fatigue Syndrome STROKE ms CFS/ME swine flu depression
2nd Diagnosis Depression
3rd Diagnosis
depression endometriosis Chronic Pain Diabetes
bowl disorder
ME/CFS
Labrynthitus
hypo thyroidism
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome bi-polar
PV
pnuemonia alcohol dependent
FRACTURED LEG NOT MENDED
Who Passed, Who Failed, &Types of Disability (cont...page 2) 15th April – 15th May 2011 There are many with complex and multiple diagnosis
3rd Diagnosis
What was the result
1st Diagnosis
2nd Diagnosis
Fit for work
Depression BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDE Diabetes Chronic Glaucoma
Anxiety SEVERE DEPRESSION Deafness
CHRONIC ANXIETY DISORDER Arthritis
polyarthralgia Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome
fibromyalgia
mental health
Stress & Anxiety
Chronic Prostatitis
fIBROMYALGIA
DYSLEXIA
Fail (Fit for work) Fail (Fit for work) Fit for work
M.E Ehlers Danlos 3 Hypermobility Arthritis severe anaemia
PTSD Depression intestinal bleeding
CFS Vertigo heart failure
Fit for work
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Fit for work
Arthritis Bipolar Affective Disorder Dislexia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Hashimotos thyroiditis
ME/FM
Not fit for work Fit for work Not fit for work Fit for work
Fit for work Pass (Not fit for work)
Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work
Self Harm SAD
Who Passed, Who Failed, &Types of Disability (cont..page 3.) What was the result Not fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Not fit for work Fit for work Fit for work
1st Diagnosis Mixed Personality disorder Mental Health Bipolar Type 2 Chronic Depression Immune Deficiency Disease fibromyalgia Severe depression
2nd Diagnosis
3rd Diagnosis
Fibromyalgia Anxiety disorder
Chronic Fatigue
ME rheumatoid arthritis
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome depression
Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work
bi-lateral shoulder Generalised osteoarthritis impingemen Post traumatic stress Anxiety disorder Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia Syndrome Ehlers Danlos Fibromyalgia Asthma fibromyalgia depression fibromyalgia hypothyroidism
Fit for work Not fit for work
chronic pain syndrome Fibromyalgia
aspergers syndrome Hypermobility
rheumatoid artheritis chronic dysthymic disorder Chronic Pain
Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work
Depression PTSD CFS/ME
Depression and Anxiety
Anxiety State
Depression
Hypothyroidism
Fit for work Fit for work
Depression
Migraines
Who Passed, Who Failed, &Types of Disability (cont..page 4.) What was the result
1st Diagnosis
2nd Diagnosis
3rd Diagnosis
Not fit for work Fit for work Not fit for work
Fibromyalgia 1976 breast cancer
Clinical Depression 1998 hcv
2007 anxiety/depression
Not fit for work Not fit for work
kabuki syndrome narcolepsy M.E. (Myalgic Encepholopathy) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Stroke
reflex anoxic seizures cataplexy
autistic spectrum central apnea
Bipolar disorder
Overactive bladder
Fit for work
Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Not fit for work Fit for work
Post-Traumatic Stress Charcot Marie Tooth Disease 2 head injury bi polar
Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work Fit for work
fibromyalgia Agoraphobia ankylosis spondylitis CFS Depression autism Asperger's syndrome
Fit for work
Bursitis
Depression/Anxiety
Dyslexia
chronic fatigue syndrome Anxiety scoliosis Chronic Anxiety Anxiety
left hand deformity Depression
ADHD Cervical foraminal stenosis
Dyspraxia Diabetic Cheiroarthropathy
Social Phobia Low Back Pain
IT CONTINUES...... AND SO DO WE.......
AFTER ATOS : GETTING THE FACTS HELP GIVE THE LITTLE FISHY A SMACK
All this information has been freely given out and published on line, on Facebook and on our website for the past 2 months. After Atos has passed this information to all MPs, all newspapers, press and TV news programmes. We have sent this information to Unions, CAB and other interested bodies and disabled support groups. We have asked them work with us and help support us in helping to get the disabled feedback about Atos. So far there has been very little interest and no response except for a few. After Atos made sure all the members of the House of Commons Select Committee on Work & Pensions who met to give a grilling to Atos representatives and Prof Harrington on 18th May 2011 got a report of After Atos results and figures. So far despite some appreciation and acknowledgements no one is stopping Atos from carrying on. Therefore, After Atos will carry on. Providing those going through the Atos ESA “Medical� Assessment a chance to record their experience in an on line continually rolling survey. As Atos seeks to process 10,000s disabled each week After Atos seeks to match them with equal numbers. In fact, we think it compulsory to insist all disabled should give their feedback independently afterwards and should be government policy. Help support After Atos by passing the information round
and joining and supporting us at
afteratos.org
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ASSESSMENT CUSTOMER FEEDBACK SURVEY afteratos.org