Twelve medics at the disability assessment centre are under investigation by the GMC over allegations of improper conduct.

Twelve doctors employed by the firm that is paid £100m a year to assess people claiming disability benefit are under investigation by the General Medical Council over allegations of improper conduct. The doctors, who work for Atos Healthcare, a French-owned company recently criticised by MPs for its practices, face being struck off if they are found not to have put the care of patients first.

The Observer has found that seven of the doctors have been under investigation for more than seven months. The other five were placed under investigation this year following complaints about their conduct.

It is understood that the majority of allegations concern the treatment of vulnerable people when the government's controversial "work capability assessments" were carried out, but the GMC refused to comment on individual cases. The development will add to fears over the pace and radical agenda behind the government's welfare-to-work policy, which led to protests in Westminster in May by thousands of disabled people.

more of this story is here http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/...disability

---

Stacy
Mother to Terry 11 MLD + ADHD, Nicole 9 Cri-du-chat Syndrome ADHD Asthma GDD Coarctation, Jessica 4 Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome GDD Reflux

Have had the pleasure (NOT) of going to ATOS several times and they are not interested in how ill you are. My last app was 2 weeks after major surgery, i was bandaged and in a sling and he still said i looked ok. I had to go through the process of appealing their decision. I always feel they don't care whether your sick or not just that they have a quota of getting people back to work x