Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will ensure that each Atos assessment centre has a recording device available so that medical assessments can be recorded at the request of a claimant or their representative. [R] [117849]
Chris Grayling: Based on the results of a trial during 2011, we have not implemented universal recording for claimants going through the work capability assessment (WCA). We have asked Atos Healthcare to accommodate requests for audio recording, where a claimant makes a request in advance of their assessment. This approach began in late 2011 and we will monitor take-up during 2012 before making a decision on the requirement for recording assessments, taking into account factors such as value for money and the value it adds to the WCA process.
As part of this process we are also reviewing Atos capacity to provide recordings for those claimants who currently request one. Additional machines have been ordered. However a large scale purchase of machines in the absence of an evaluation of the process is not effective use of public money. Although there have been increases in requests these still represent only a small percentage of overall work capability assessments.
In the meantime, while Atos will do all that they can to accommodate requests for audio recording there may be times when the service cannot be offered, for example where it has not be possible to get access to recording equipment on the date/time of the WCA. In these circumstances clients will be told in advance that their request cannot be accommodated and offered a later date.
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offered a later date nah they bullied into turning up and if they dont money will be stopped the atos way lies lies and more lies from a firm who shouldnt be operating here jeff3
The reason there’s only a small percentage requesting the recordings is two fold, firstly NOBODY TOLD US WE COULD HAVE THEM and secondly THERE’S NOT ENOUGH MACHINES FOR EVEN 1% TO BE RECORDED.
If we were asked if we wanted a recording of the assessment I’m sure that at least 50% of claimants would say yes so in just one month alone that’s going to average 75,000 recordings that ATOS do not want us to have because it will be proof of their lies and poor assessment techniques!
How many claimants know about the possiblity/need for recordings?
I doubt if it is a large percentage, hence “too few” requests!
So not enough recorders!
I record audio in all my ATOS examinations. You may also video record your exam providing you specify you wish to do so beforehand .
I’m sorry to disregard your info but it’s not quite true my friend?
Whilst many people audio record their assessments covertly If you are caught your assessment will be ended.
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You will also NOT be allowed to record your assessment with your own equipment if you tell them, you will NOT be allowed to video record your assessment either?
If you have evidence that tells a different story then we would love to see it?…
I’m quite proud, this is my question that Frank asked, but it is clearly not true – they do not tell people in advance, and before today I have never seen them make any mention of it, although a HCP today at a medical for a client of mine told us that if we wanted it recording they would arrange another time – almost certainly so I couldn’t be there becuase they dont like me anyway.
All you can do is keep requesting it, I would personally not advice recording it yourselves because you cant use it anyway, and if they catch you, they WILL throw you off the benefit altogether.
Your client was (like me) in Birkenhead?
If you get caught doing your own recording, on what grounds can they throw you off benefit?
Simon, is there any evidence that they do not offer this to claimants? I am trying to establish this fact. I know that it wasn’t offered to me but Atos have said that it is offered to everyone. Well in March it was not so.
This question on recordings is becoming a sore point with me. I was not given the oportunity nor advised that they were available. The letter telling me about my appointment said nothing about the matter, yet I have a copy of a letter from Mr Davies, the Customer Relations Manager at Atos to the DWP saying; “I can confirm that the content of these letters has been approved by the DWP,although the customers are entitled to request the assessment be recorded if they wish”
It Atos do not invite the recording and the ‘customer’ is not experienced in the way Atos behave (as ignorant as me) the recordings will never be requested. I am trying to establish on what date the DWP/Atos withdrew the recording option.
Martin, my understanding from the above is that the option has NOT been withdrawn; the WCA will be postponed until such times as recording equipment is available. Mine certainly has been. Knowing Government procurement procedure, that may take long enough – months, I imagine.
The Atos policy is simply to not allow covert recording in case poor quality is misleading, and for reasons of “third party confidentiality” eg, if there is a trainee present. (Bogus excuse.)Tribunal appeals have been thrown out because the recording was not legally accepted.
However…covert recording, undiscovered…no problem. And according to one post I saw on a forum, it is possible to transcribe a recording, and have it sworn out as an affadavit by a solicitor (£50 ?)at which point it is legally accepted.
Covert recording at home for private purposes – no problem, no beeps needed (the Data Protection Act specifically says this), it is treated as CCTV.