Claimant says assessors ignored pyschiatric condition

A man deemed fit to work against the advice of his GP and specialists says a Department of Social Care contractor ignored his medical history to push him off benefits.

The man, who lives in Douglas, doesn’t want to be identified but suffers anxiety attacks which his doctor and psychiatrists say makes it impossible for him to hold down a job.

But after a short assessment by Atos Healthcare, he was told he’s well enough for work – and taken off incapacity benefit.

He says the company, which has defended its questionnaire and practices, didn’t take his condition into account, concentrating on questions such as whether he could walk unassisted: