It’s not easy when the press don’t seem to be listening and everywhere we look, as sick and disabled people, we’re labelled scroungers. The latest headlines screamed “29% people found fit for work when moved from Incapacity Benefit to Employment and Support Allowance”, despite the DWP being forced to admit that those same figures will change radically when people’s appeals are heard, and in all probability almost half of those pronounced fit for work will be found to be anything but.
Every day we see the despair and fear of the brown envelope arriving, but who is listening, fighting our corner?
Until yesterday, other than a few notable broadsheet journalists and MP’s, I’d have said no-one.
Then a ray of light fell into my inbox: the Scottish Conference of GP’s has passed a resolution that:
- the inadequate computer-based assessments that are used have little regard to the nature or complexity of the needs of long term sick and disabled persons;
- the WCA should end with immediate effect and be replaced with a rigorous and safe system that does not cause avoidable harm to some of the weakest and most vulnerable in society.
This is another step forward! GP’s are standing up for us. Thanks to the Black Triangle Campaign for getting it on the agenda and thanks to the GP’s for telling it like it is!
Dr Stephen Carty, who works as a GP in the Leith area of Edinburgh and who is an active member of the campaign, said:
“I welcome the support of the Scottish LMC conference on this matter.
“This sends a ray of hope to some of the weakest and most vulnerable in society.
“It also sends a clear message to other representative bodies including the General Medical Council (GMC) of the significant concerns shared by many GP’s across the country.”
“Alone we whisper together we shout.” How true a mantra, so often said but did you really believe it?
It takes one tiny snowball to begin an avalanche; we are still at the snowball stage but it just got a whole lot bigger!
For more information, see
http://web2.bma.org.uk/pressrel.nsf/wlu/HREY-8SMJYS?OpenDocument&vw=wfmsc
http://www.bma.org.uk/images/slmc2011agenda_tcm41-212139.pdf
and
Lets hope that the decent doctors across the uk fully support their patients and that no harm comes to them from a uncaring government
Where we lead in Scotland let’s all hope Wales, N Ireland and even England woll follow. Pat x
I am down at the Plaid conference in Carmarthen and have just heard the 1st speech from our new leader Leanne Wood. I am sure she will be a great help to disabled people in Wales. My late wife had rheumatoid arthritis and i know how humiliating the tests were then and i know the tests are even harder today. Lynn my late wife would be heartbroken if she were alive today at the way the press and media demonise disabled and unemplyed people.
Reblogged this on Jane Young.
It’s so good to hear this from one our local practice GP’s.
I went to see my MP Mark Williams (LibDem) just this morning about these assessments. He very sympathetic and has been advocating in Parliament to get changes made. Maybe if we all lobby our MPs, then those having grave doubts about this present system will have a stronger, united voice to make themselves heard over the stubborn and un-democratic thinking of David Cameron and cronies.
It’s really great for me to hear this from a doctor who has really helped our family. He warned us when G was sent the dreaded brown envelope, and he was right. It all turned out ok after a battle. G qualified for Support Group on 3 counts.
Part way through my PIP response , also said to the guy on Black triangle looking for info from ppl in Edinburgh he culd contact me. Last night grayling’s appearance at committe on 19 March was repeated and I picked up on this killer report from the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee!
http://cynicism.me/2012/03/24/the-dwp-were-warned-their-mwra-regulations-were-a-mess-months-in-advance/