Atos advice needed

[chuckychucks]

delete

[Running Man]

Hi chuckychucks.
I think you will find that it is standard procedure for line managers to refer certain medical conditions to ATOS as soon as we become aware of them, even if the person is happy with the care being provided by the GP, hospital, etc.
In counters we are encouraged, for example, to refer stress type conditions and back complaints to ATOS at the earliest opportunity to see if any workplace-specific advice can be given to help the employee.
So don't feel as if its only you; it appears to be one of Royal Mail Group's attempts at support for those who are off sick although I accept that the more skeptical people in our workforce may see such referrals as a way of pushing people back to work.
Hope this helps.

[dean07]

Don,t give them access to all your medical records. Only give them your permission for to see your recent op details. They can,t be trusted. Also specify this exactly to your gp

[Blade Runner]

Don't forget ATOS lost a CD with thousands of medical records on it last year. ( Not Royal Mails employees).

[coxie]

i have had to deal with atos twice in the past and both times i actually found them to be good to me, if they ask you to set up a rehab program tell them it simply isnt possible at this time as that is what they really aim to do, however when i did rehab they set me up with what i thought was fair for me and slowly built myself back up to full duties at a rate that suited me. They aint all bad if you do speak to them and stand your ground if they talk about going back to work anytime soon, thats their job to try get people back to work so dont blame them.

[stokes11eg]

They can only have access to your medical records if you give permissin, just do mot tick the box. Good Luck.

[andy2007]

They will probably want ATOS to try to recommend something else that you could do at work, during your recovery. That's usually the point, in my experience. Although I doubt that they'd be able to find anything for you to do, under the circumstances. If they can't find anything that you can still do at work, they'll send a report confirming that, to your DOM.

[bogstandard]

it is in your own interest to talk to them.
As previously stated you can (if you choose) only allow them access to the relevant information. This is something you can specify.

What you may find to be a problem (and you wont be the first) is their interpretation of your conversation.
They must ask if they can pass on the information you provide to your office. In this instance ask for a copy, they will refuse you and say you have to ask your DOM. At this point you could, if you want to, barter with them and say that only if they send you a copy can they send it to your DOM.

At all times remember you are NOT dealing with a doctor or a specialist or a surgeon. They will pressure you to return earlier than you have been advised by your own medical team. It is what they are employed to do.

[suz67]

get in touch with atos asap,i've had to use them twice after two ops and they are brilliant,don't believe what anyone says they are on your side and its in your interest to get at as much info down in writing.atos have no influence on whether you can return to work or not,only you can decide that,if you've got a decent manager he'll tell you he wants atos involvement to cover his back when is gaffer starts to give him grief,belive me you can't go wrong.

[General Mannerheim]

Yes Atos are amazing!
The amazing nurses who phone you up for a telephone consulation have only your best interest at heart and they only want you back to work as a study done by some arsehole who`s never been outside of his office in 10 years says that getting back to work(when your half dead) IS GOOD FOR YOU.

Trust them with my medical records I would trust them with ordering a pizza.

[andy2007]

It really depends on who you see. The Nurse Practitioners (in my experience) are just there to pressure you back into work, even though they often don't have the training to make those decisions. For example: I suffered a minor back injury some time ago. And an ATOS Nurse Practitioner (via phone consultation) decided on a rehab program, which ended up, making my injury much worse. To the point, where I needed to go on sick leave. Despite the fact, that initially, I didn't need any time off!

The irony is, that my Manager had sorted out a Rehab program, until I could get an ATOS consultation (took a week to arrange). And I coped fine. But once ATOS stuck their noses in, and insisted I would be ok to do more, I f***ed up my back.

On the other hand: I've also seen ATOS Doctors twice. And they've been great. Not only have they known what they were talking about, and helped me get a suitable Rehab program. But one of them, was even able to suggest a different treatment. Which my own Doctor was able to arrange. And it worked wonders for me.

The moral IMHO, is to demand to speak to a fully qualified Doctor, in person. Rather than risk your health, by dealing with their Nurse Practitioners. Particularly if they insist on a phone consultation. Which of course, they normally do.

[POSTMAN]

There's actually a mixed bag of reviews on here regarding ATOS,some have done ok some aint.

[stupidboy]

does anyone know if there is anyway you can appeal against an atos report. the report they filed on me was total rubbish they made a decision after a 20 minute phone call,not even wanting to consult my gp or the consultants i see

[hummingbird's_wings]

i've twice been referred to ATOS by my DOM and both times they've been very helpful and they didn't put any pressure on me to return to work . in fact the last time they recommended i stay off work for longer than my own GP !!!!!

[sidewinder]

My on going sickness,which ATOS agree is a health and saftey concern if I went back doing any kind off work.Not even dead letter duty.They have rung me once even though my dim has said a few times that he will have to phone ATOS to get me back.