Yes had to support someone twice. First time about three years ago reasonably straight forward second time absolute nightmare as they obviously have instructions to fail as many as possible. Go prepared, have a letter from your GP in support of condition, which you may have to pay for. Be ready to challenge, and be prepared to appeal. Possability People in Montague House are a good source of information. The last time the assessor just ignored the GP's letter! It was approved but was a very unsettling and undignified process.
I've had twenty years working with vulnerable adults, now retired, and was shocked by the process. Not once was consideration made to principles of dignity and respect, the person being assessed was treated as a liar who had to prove their condition. No allowance was made for the person's illness or mental capacity to answer the questions which are often quick fire and meant to confuse. A competent advocate is definitely a must in these situations. It's very intimidating.That has it in a nutshell. The assessors seem to be trained to trip you up constantly. It can be a humiliating experience as it was the previous time my partner was assessed in Brighton by ATOS. Second time around last year in Lewes she benefitted from sitting in the waiting room and the assessment itself having almost constant seizures. It still made it feel like a cruel process to put someone through suffering
Christ, it sounds like something the Nazis dreamt up in the 1930s.
Christ, it sounds like something the Nazis dreamt up in the 1930s.
CENTRE FOR HEALTH & DISABILITY ASSESSMENT, MEDWYN HOUSE, MOUNTFIELD ROAD, LEWES , BN72XR.
Have any members ever had any dealings with this organisation, and what was the outcome?.
It's exactly this. As ManOfSussex said get in touch with the CAB as soon as possible. They helped me no end with my case and subsequent appeal.Bear in mind that you, or whoever, you're inquiring for in regards to this assessment are being clocked the moment you walk in there. You may well be asked how you/they got there today - arriving on your own unaccompanied will count against you too no matter what the condition is.
Whatever the condition is you/they are being assessed for - make sure you're having a bad day with it when you're assessed, as you'll need to state you do every day with it and include all elements related to it when being assessed as has been suggested.
Bear in mind too that if the worst happens, the majority of appeals to tribunals are successful though.
If you're in the Lewes area, these people will be able to help - http://www.lewesdistrictcab.org.uk/
Good luck.
Christ, it sounds like something the Nazis dreamt up in the 1930s.
Horrible experience, the guy was not interested in what I had to say he kept cutting me off and saying "a simple Yes or No is all I need", and then he lied constantly on the form when I got it back but about my answers but I appealed and won. Your often dealing with people that act like robots they are so switched off to what you are saying it's unreal. When I was in the waiting room some poor man who needed help to walk was in such a state he looked so ill and scared by it all another who was clearly has severe learning difficulties. It's a vile system it really is.