The lies and excuses being put out by the DWP and Chris Grayling over the matter of the Audio Recording of WCA (Work Capability Assessments) continues, we have been told various reasons why claimants can’t have their assessments recorded, the machines are broken (All 11 of them), no one wants their assessments recorded even though Atos have stated that their has been a significant increase in requests.
The DWP has also stated that they cannot waste taxpayers money on providing a machine for each of the assessment centres, at present they only have 11 machines that they have to ferry between all of their 141 centres, the expense would be so colossal, well today I’ve found out what the actual cost would be to safeguard benefit claimants right’s?
Each Dual CD Recording Device (Model NEAL 9102 Dual Interview Recorder) costs wait for it? £1400 Plus VAT, that works out to £1680 per machine and If each assessment centre (141) was provided with one it would come to the grand total of £236,880, not a huge sum when you consider the Atos contract is £1 Billion pounds, in fact it would help make huge savings, Atos HCPs wouldn’t be able to tell lies to claimants like they do at present than change the documents once the claimant has left, everything verbally communicated would be on record, not only would it protect the claimant but also the Atos HCP from spurious or as some like to call them vexatious complaints.
The DWP have also lied again to me, they have a track record, they say in this FOI Request that the 11 machines were purchased for the pilot study? That’s a downright lie as we all know they used HANDHELD digital recorders for the Audio Pilot Study, when will the DWP learn not to lie all the time, eventually the lies will out…
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I wonder what excuse will be when I ask for STTP Speech To Text Reporter…I Remember 2 year ago when I asked for 1 they said leave it for we will see you another time.!!!!!!
What an extraordinary bunch of useless waste-of-DNA types. It’s almost like that old Monty Python “Cheese Shop” sketch where a man comes in and asks for different types of cheese and the shopowner thinks of more and more ridiculous excuses to say why he hasn’t got them. Except this isn’t funny-lying seems to be hard-wired into DWP policy. Maybe that’s why they make out we are liars. They think everyone will believe it because they think everyone lies.
Let’s kick their feckin’ arses into touch.
Looking ahead, we need to campaign for PIP assessments to be recorded as standard. No good having them rolled out then later realising recording is needed… more campaigning to do!
I agree Jane 100%, knowing the DWP they will say that PIP assessments are something totally different, we need to lobby our MPs and media/Journalists for this….
If criminals have the right to have their police interviews recorded, then why not us, the disabled who in most cases no employer would want to employ for a paid job? The only job offer I ever got was an illegal fake money laundering job.
Well all 11 are not broken as I had a recorded medical 2 weeks ago. They tried to bully me into a normal medical tho and only backed down 1 hour before the appointment, and then it turned out they actually did have the equipment at my medical centre anyway.
well done Chris for demanding your rights, they’re just a bunch of bullies….
Well done on getting the recording, I have not asked for an audio recording of any face to face, I have told them, that any verbal communication will be audio recorded. I intend to stick to it as well, they will have agreed so even if they use a duel tape machine I will still have a digital copy.
will they never learn that we always find out if they lie how stupid do they think we are…WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS…WHAY DONT THEY DO WHAT THE LEMMINGS DO AND JUMP…regards…sandra.
Excellent detective work-This needs to be publicised on a wider basis. I will try and do my bit.
Well I have my appointment to go the the Ayr assessment center and I have to tell you I am not looking forward to it, not after watching Channel 4′s Dispatches and all the other horror stories I am hearing on what seems to be a daily thing now. The reason I fell upon this website was to see if I could use my own recording equipment, i.e. mobile phone but it seems ATOS have you by the short and curlies with this method by refusing to go ahead with the interview and submitting a report to the DWP of not turning up. Just sounds to me like bullying and is this not illegal in this country now!
David-Insist on the interview being recorded using one of the machines detailed above. If Atos says that one is not available then tell them the interview has to be delayed until they get one that works. If they then say that you will be considered not to have turned up refer them to the answer that Chris Grayling gave to my MP, Frank Field, in the House of Commons on the 17th of July of this year
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm120717/text/120717w0007.htm
Look about a third of the way down the page-Question 117849 where Chris Grayling says that Atos must delay your appointment if they do not have a recording device available. But make sure you put it in writing to Atos and your own MP that you have requested this service otherwise Atos will ignore you.
Good luck David,
Andy
Thank you for your comment. I have emailed ATOS to request my interview be recorded. I also stated that I want a copy of the recording on completion of the interview so that they cannot falsify anything I say to them.
Wise move David-I posted the exchange between Frank Field and Chris Grayling on the ‘wonderful’ Atos Healthcare Blog because as you can see they insist “we cannot postpone an assessment on the basis of audio-recording”.
http://blog.atoshealthcare.com/2012/07/audio-recording-of-the-wca/#respond
As you can see my comment is apparently still ‘awaiting moderation’ after 3 weeks!
I also have been in contact with Frank Field regarding Atos and their cavalier attitude towards both himself and the authority of the House of Commons. He emailed me back and says he is looking into the DWP contract with Atos.
I try and do my bit,
Andy
Well I attended my assessment today and asked if they had provided the recording equipment as requested by me, did they have it, no, was the office in Ayr where my assessment was to take place notified of my request, no! Had to show them the email to request recording equipment. So no assessment today will have to wait for another appointment! Idiots.
Dave..GET IT in writing that they could not provide the recording otherwise they might record you as a no show…and always get it in writing that the interview will be recorded…
That’s OK when i go to my next medical board I will announce to the examiner that I will be using my phone to record it all. If he refuses to do it then its his problem.