Benefit medicals metioned in the paper today!

woodbon

Hello,
Has anyone seen The Times, today. The headlines on the front page are all about the problems the Government are having with medicals for benefits!!!! :shock: They have a big article about how the medicals are causing problems by sending unfit people to the Jobcentre. I expect its certain to be on the their Web page, but as they now charch £1 to view it, I think its too much.

They have all the statistics from The Office of National Statistics and its only a so few people that get awarded anything without appealing, but a large per cent who appeal have it awarded something. Maybe worth a £1 today! Good to see it in a national newspaper, especially as its the headlines! They mention problems with Atos.
Love Sue

speedalong

That is interesting to hear, Sue. Good publicity, as you say.

Speedy

skezier

Hi Sue,

Thanks for telling us this one, I hope the powers that be read it as well...... publicity maybe not quite the kind they wanted and that's about time I think! Luv Cris xx

dorcas

thanks Sue!

the medicals are a joke... but unfortunately until the government start paying attention many of us are going to be caught in this nightmare they've created.

hey...this is how ridiculous it is......I had an op three weeks ago (TWR) but have to attend a 'pathways to work' interview on Tuesday and will likely have to attend the ATOS medical shortly after. :shock:

how insane is that??

Iris x

livinglegend

The Times', Sat 3rd July 2010, front page headline. Sick-note reforms 'are in danger of collapse' A prof. who helped design the system said that it has serious problems, "To go ahead with these problems is not just ridiculous. It is, in fact, scary".

The story noted that 70% of people who attended an Appeal Tribunal AND had legal or other expert advice were granted ESA.

Also, the DWP hadn't got a clue as to what happened to people who were rejected for ESA since 2008. They simply didn't know or care.

Out of 50,000 per month, Atos judged 47,500 or 95% were fit for work. If the test was applied fairly and properly, then only 20% would be considered fit enough for some work.
More information at: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/ There is a charge of £2 per week to use the website.

A report into how the system is being used/abused will not be out until the end of the year. From October, all ESA claimants will be forced to be tested on this badly flawed, 'ridiculous' system.

Everyone who is refused ESA should appeal, as the more people that appeal the better, as it will put the system under greater strain. Also complain to the DWP, your MP, the Minister of Health, The PM and everyone else you can think of. Emails are free, so get what is rightfully yours.

Joseph 8)

frogmorton

Thanks Sue for this - really interesting and sooo unsuprising isnt it?

Thanks also Joseph

Truth will out eh?

Love

Toni xx

woodbon

Hi Thanks Joseph, that's the article I meant. Sorry, my information could have been better written, but I'd had a few glasses of wine!!! :shock: I did mean to put it on earlier in the day, but got side tracked.

I think one of the important things about the subject being reported in serious press, (sorry, that makes me sound like a snob, which I'm not), is that that its likely to be read by people of influance. The press have made a difference in the past, they infulanced the government of the day's actions on thalidamide, for one thing.

That took a long time to change, but it did change. It may well be that improving the benifit system will take a long time, but keeping at the forefront of peoples minds is important and any publicity will help do this. Its just about the worst time for asking the government of whatever political party to change something if it means that they will have to pay out more money. Wouldn't it be fantastic is someone could make a case for the change actually costing the country less. Any economists out there, HELP!!!
Love Sue

bubbles

Very interesting Sue, I have battled with the DLA and finally won my case, without it going to appeal.

To force people who are genuinely ill and or disabled in some way, is, I would think discriminatory to that person.

By all means, there needs to be a review of the benefit system, to weedle out those who are perfectly fit and well, yet claim thousands in benefits. We see them all the time, either running around a football pitch or carrying out full time jobs on the black. That is wrong.

It is also wrong, to make people who are sick, disabled and incapable of working to drag them into a jobcentre, force them into an appeal situation, despite an abundance of medical evidence to support their case. Don't the ESA and DWP realise that Drs and Consultants are not in the habit of lying to the powers that be, their job requires them to tell the plain facts about a person's illness and how it affects their lives.

I hope that ATOS, the DLA and the DWP take note of this article. I, for one, would be in no fit state to be forced to attend a jobcentre or appeal panel and thank goodness, for once, they saw sense.

So many people here are battling with one department or another and it is a sad reflection on the various departments to drag people through hoops when there is an obvious and diagnosed problem, that is either long term and or progressive.

I am rambling, somebody stop me.

XXXX Bubbles

lavenderlady

long term and progressive is key words as they mean its not going to go away and will only get worse, my DLA is indefinate, is someone going to come along and say I'm fit and well, i take 28 tablets and inject twice a day ( diabetic type 2) my right arm is affected by SMA the muscle harden and dont work so effectivly leaving me un able to lift my arm the shoulder is also affected along with arthritis in my wrsit and hand and fingers, my back has spondelothesis meaning I am in considerable pain and can only walk sit and stand for a limited amount of time, my left wrist is bascially knackered waiting for TWR shall I go on ??????
my right hip is now causing me pain had 16 Xrays on joints ALL showed damaged joints which will only get worse my toes are fusing naturally causing me pain when I bend them, i also get sevear nerve pain in my legs from SMA, now then who is going to be brave enough to tell me and my consultants I am ok
how can some one who knows nothing of us can make such a life changing decision, they better not :x :x

livinglegend

bubbles wrote:

I am rambling, somebody stop me.
XXXX Bubbles

I wouldn't even consider it.

Joseph 8)

bubbles

livinglegend wrote:

bubbles wrote:

I am rambling, somebody stop me.
XXXX Bubbles

I wouldn't even consider it.

Joseph 8)

LOL, I was rambling, honest. But, the system gets me so irritated, as people have posted, how on earth are they going to send us for work related medicals and interviews. Can you stand, "yes, for a few minutes, before the pain and spasms start", can you sit "yes, for a few minutes, same as before", can you walk, "yes, less than 50 yards without stopping, being in considerable pain, or getting angina"
Are you on medication? "Yes, 34 tablets a day, half of which put me on another planet"
oh, you sound like the ideal candidate for the job!! I don't think so.

Shame on them that force the issue upon us, as they have done, do and will continue to do. They seem to think I will be better by 2012, I was not aware that a miracle drug was coming onto the market that mends joints, restores bones to their original state and resolves all coronary issues and takes away pain completely. :x

livinglegend

bubbles wrote:

Can you stand, "yes, for a few minutes, before the pain and spasms start", can you sit "yes, for a few minutes, same as before", can you walk, "yes, less than 50 yards without stopping, being in considerable pain, or getting angina"
Are you on medication? "Yes, 34 tablets a day, half of which put me on another planet"

You must be far more positive than that.

Can you stand? No, as after a few minutes the pain and spasms start.
Can you sit? No, as after a few minutes.......
Can you walk? No, within 50 yards.......
Are you on medication? Gets a bag of pill containers and empties on desk, "This one is for........"
You do realise the cost of all the alterations that you will have to do to employ me. As under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act, it says in Section 5, Subsection 18, (a), (b), etc.........

That would sound much more positive to any prospective employer. I am sure that they would say to you.

Joseph 8)

haagan

Hi
I went through the ESA farce last year, winning at tribunal in October. Since then I've had a bad time with arthur mentally and physically (which is why I haven't posted) started antidepressants in April. Was starting to feel better when a large white envelope landed on the mat, the farce begins again. My medical is on 17 july they are so busy there are only weekend slots available!! I am better prepared this time ,had help filling form in and have loads of supporting evidence. They have to find someway of getting rid of the cheats and supporting people with a genuine case. I am in touch with my MP and AM. I'm lucky that I have the support of family and friends as I could have easily given in when I saw all the false information. Thank you everyone who posts on here you have helped me so much, I check in daily and even at my lowest ebb your posts helped me feel I wasn't alone Fay

livinglegend

Hi Fay

You should phone the DWP and ask why, if you won at a tribunal, they are sending you for another medical 11 months later? Unless the tribunal notified you that their decision would only last for 11 months.

Ask the DWP to suspend the examination as you wish to make an official complaint against them and send to you a letter stating why they are ignoring the findings of a tribunal. This would be something that they really shouldn't do. Also contact the people who carried out the tribunal and tell them what is happening, as I think they won't be too pleased either.

Joseph 8)

bubbles

livinglegend wrote:

bubbles wrote:

Can you stand, "yes, for a few minutes, before the pain and spasms start", can you sit "yes, for a few minutes, same as before", can you walk, "yes, less than 50 yards without stopping, being in considerable pain, or getting angina"
Are you on medication? "Yes, 34 tablets a day, half of which put me on another planet"

You must be far more positive than that.

Can you stand? No, as after a few minutes the pain and spasms start.
Can you sit? No, as after a few minutes.......
Can you walk? No, within 50 yards.......
Are you on medication? Gets a bag of pill containers and empties on desk, "This one is for........"
You do realise the cost of all the alterations that you will have to do to employ me. As under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act, it says in Section 5, Subsection 18, (a), (b), etc.........

That would sound much more positive to any prospective employer. I am sure that they would say to you.

Joseph 8)

You are right Joseph, there should be no "yes's" in the responses, silly me :oops:

If I emptied the pills out, they would cover the table and roll all over.
By the time I had explained each one and the side effects that they cause, the interview panel would be asleep and as you say, I would need special seating, grab rails, flooring, toilets etc, etc. Oh yes, when can you start, lol. No, I didn't think so :shock:

woodbon

Hi If you'ranything like me, the boxes would be quite a pile. I have 2 draws in my bedside table and they are full. Then some of the other meds are too big a packet to go in that draw and sit in a pile under the bed!

I think taking the empty boxes AND pointing the side effects, like 'don't drive, if sleepy' might be a very good idea. They can be empty boxes, but recent ones. Also, if, like me you have problems opening and picking up the pills sometimes you can mention that and show the foil pack and pill size. Hey, I'm getting into this idea! Maybe I'll use it for my appeal !!!

I do hope that you get on OK with your medical. I know what you mean about the way it effects you mentally. I never realised how stressed and depressed the whole thing is and I've been close to giving up, but I don't like giving in!

Love Sue

bubbles

I know what you mean Sue, one shelf in the kitchen is piled high with, at least 25 boxes of pills, then there is my daily pill basket that is full to the brim, then the others in another cupboard, some in my bag for when we go out.
When I mentioned to the Welfare Rights officer that I took over 30 pills a day and my OH has to keep an eye on my times etc, 8 times a day, he said" would that not ring alarm bells to anyone, that you are not a well person"??? I don't take them for the fun of it, in fact some days I want to throw them in the bin, but, I would be hospitalised within 8 hours with cardiac problems, not to mention being in agony.

I drop them all over, cannot pick them up at times and send them flying, OH is usually on standby to gather them, or I use my grabber to get them before the cats start batting them around.

I mentioned all of this in my letters to them, you have to spell it out to the far end of the field and back again.

haagan

Thanks Joseph
No they didn't say how long it would last just that I had been awarded ESA. I was so shocked that I didn't ask, I assumed (dangerous I know) that it would be longer than 6 months. My friend who I took with me to tribunal is working with me on this run. I will get to gether with him and pass on your advice. He deals with tribunals as part of his job although mine was the first time he was other side of desk. Thanks again.