Worrying news for ESA claimants converting from DLA to PIP.

Because NHS consultants give honest reports that don't make it easy for the DWP to maintain it's quotas also there is little pressure the DWP can bring to bear on a well regarded consultant without serious pushback from the other consultants. Despite all the official denials on a quota system operating within the DWP countless former employees and hacked emails have bought the truth to light. I'm like 99% of people in that i want fraudsters found and severely punished ideally with custodial sentences but that's not what is happening under the current system perversely the fraudsters actually prosper within this system. They get to know it inside and out not having the distractions genuine claimants have like pain, mobility issues, psychological problems and just the physical limitations that come from a genuine condition.

I don't have all the answers but the fact we have a state health system that treats people with medical conditions but has no official role in the assessment process for health related benefits speaks volumes about the governments real agenda in all this. I'm fortunate that i deal with four consultants all of whom have volunteered to help in anyway they can with the DWP should i need it but not everyone is so fortunate and they shouldn't have to be fortunate as their consultants should be involved in any assessment process.

[Osem]

The problem is that doctors aren't really there to challenge what patients tell them about their conditions and how they are affected by them. Now in many cases those things may be obvious and undeniable but in others they may not be so the consultant would be put in a difficult situation if he/she was at odds with what the patient was claiming and I'm not sure they would appreciate that extra responsibility and any adverse effects on their doctor/patient relationships. Doctors do need to be involved in the assessment process where there's a medical issue but I'm not sure they should be the ones who're treating the people in question even though they clearly would need to have access to any relevant reports etc from the claimant's doctor(s). It's a really difficult problem.

[Taf]

The simple fact that the ATOS / Capita "medical professionals" who carry out the very short assessments (less than an hour) are usually paramedics, physiotherapists or young nurses shows how the system is being rigged to deny applicants the aid they deserve.

At least at tribunal you get a proper time-served doctor, a disability specialist and an unbiased serving judge.

But not for long, as moves are afoot again to move everything online with DWP-paid tribunal panels.

[Ken W]

Originally Posted by Taf

The simple fact that the ATOS / Capita "medical professionals" who carry out the very short assessments (less than an hour) are usually paramedics, physiotherapist or young nurses shows how the system is being rigged to deny applicants the aid they deserve.

ATOS / Capita "so called medical professionals" could diagnose the common cold.

[Taf]

Originally Posted by Ken W

ATOS / Capita "so called medical professionals" could diagnose the common cold.

I hope you mean "couldn't"

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

Because NHS consultants give honest reports that don't make it easy for the DWP to maintain it's quotas also there is little pressure the DWP can bring to bear on a well regarded consultant without serious pushback from the other consultants. Despite all the official denials on a quota system operating within the DWP countless former employees and hacked emails have bought the truth to light. I'm like 99% of people in that i want fraudsters found and severely punished ideally with custodial sentences but that's not what is happening under the current system perversely the fraudsters actually prosper within this system. They get to know it inside and out not having the distractions genuine claimants have like pain, mobility issues, psychological problems and just the physical limitations that come from a genuine condition.

I don't have all the answers but the fact we have a state health system that treats people with medical conditions but has no official role in the assessment process for health related benefits speaks volumes about the governments real agenda in all this. I'm fortunate that i deal with four consultants all of whom have volunteered to help in anyway they can with the DWP should i need it but not everyone is so fortunate and they shouldn't have to be fortunate as their consultants should be involved in any assessment process.

---------- Post added at 11:53 ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 ----------

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

How about we kill two birds with one stone we cease using these thoroughly discredited and completely ineffectual private company's to do the assessments and hand them over to the NHS who then charge the DWP a fee for each assessment. NHS gets more cash and the DWP gets a true report on a persons illness and effects on daily life so has to spend less time and resources cleaning up the mess the private company's constantly make. Only reason i can see the DWP wouldn't want this is because they couldn't issue quotas to NHS doctors as they do to the current company's though yes i know officially the DWP doesn't have quotas to be failed but unofficially everyone knows they do.

[Ken W]

Originally Posted by Taf

I hope you mean "couldn't"

Opps.


Yes I did mean "could not"

Most people with longterm illnesses are under at least one consultant and that consultant will be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the patient both has and is affected by a condition and are happy to support those patients. Whilst GP's may not have the time to categorically confirm a condition for the sake of expedience that is rarely the case with consultant's who don't keep people on their lists if they do not believe and have medical evidence to support a condition. As I've said before even when a specific diagnosis may not be possible they have the means to confirm a problem exists, my experience is that consultant's are happy to give information on their patients even if the DWP don't bother asking for it.

[weenie]

My consultant was happy to give a report and my GP wrote a letter of support stating my medical condition and how this affects my every day tasks she said something as simple as going on a bus/train is difficult to someone with my medical condition, she listed all my medication and she even put at the bottom of the letter giving the medical evidence it would not be unreasonable for a home visit to be granted to my patient Mrs xxxxx giving the supporting medical evidence. I do not know what the hospital report said but I suspect it confirmed what my GP had written.

I think that both the consultants report and my GPs letter helped a great deal with my claim regarding PIP as I was awarded more than I claimed for plus I got a home visit. I know that I was lucky getting a letter of support from my GP as some GPs charge for these letters or simply refuse to give one.

[Taf]

A letter arrived today asking if the lad had been in prison / hospital / abroad recently, and if his bank details were the same. That means PIP is on its way, but at what levels?

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Taf

A letter arrived today asking if the lad had been in prison / hospital / abroad recently, and if his bank details were the same. That means PIP is on its way, but at what levels?

Lets hope its good news taf.

Glad you got it sorted Taf and while i know you won't relax totally try just a bit.

[Taf]

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

Glad you got it sorted Taf and while i know you won't relax totally try just a bit.

At some point the application pack will arrive for his twin sister.

[weenie]

Well Taf on the plus side you have your boy's file that you can use and show to the relevant parties in the hope that they will be more understanding your daughter's needs. I really hope and pray they will be more understanding and you and your daughter this time around therefore with a bit of luck your family will not need to go through all the past stress again.

One can hope anyway.

Sorry to hear that Taf but i hope things will go easier for you living on benefits these days is anything but a life of leisure not only do you have to endure and adapt as best you can to your medical conditions but living with the constant stress of the assessments takes a mental toll. Can only wish you the best and hope it doesn't get too tough for you meaningless as that is practically.