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- Margaret
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It really is appalling. In the case of my stepdad, he had a report from his neurologist saying that he was unfit for work. His short term memory and some motor functions were damaged as a result of an infection in a shunt that he'd had to have put in to relieve a build up of pressure on the brain.
But apparantly ATOS new better.
I'm very sorry to hear of your stepdads treatment at the hands of Atos.
Atos are one of four private companies who assess people's fitness for work and who are applying for employment and support allowance (ESA) which is the old sickness benefit. They are also responsible for assessing people for personal independence payment (PIP) which is replacing the old disability living allowance (DLA)
Sadly your stepdads treatment is echoed up and down the country. It just doesn't get reported enough. I think that the majority of the population who are fortunate enough to not need assistance are oblivious to the problem. Only when they become ill or disabled will they realise that the help and support they require will necessitate jumping through hoops and proving they are genuine. GPs and consultants opinions are overruled by the DWP. The health care professional completes the assessment but the ultimate decision rests with the "decision maker" at the DWP. Who by the way are not medical professionals.