Tag Archives: health

Call for changes to disabled work assessments

MSPs believe five changes are needed to improve the assessment process.

 

 The DWP said there was strong evidence that working can be beneficial for many people who have a health condition

The assessment used to decide whether ill or disabled people can work should be made more “effective and humane”, a Holyrood committee has said.

The UK government said the criteria was developed in consultation with medical experts and disability groups.

It looks at an individual’s ability to work, “taking into account the modern workplace and developments in healthcare”.

Sick and disabled made to wait for more than six months to know if they will get benefit

Controversial new benefits system.

People with disabilities and severe illnesses are being made to wait for more than six months to find out if they are eligible for financial support from the Government under a controversial new benefits system.

In a highly critical report, a committee of MPs described delays in processing the Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) as “unacceptable”. They called for ministers to invoke penalty clauses for the delays on the two private companies, Atos Healthcare and Capital Business Services, which provide the assessments.

Are expectations for integrating health and social care unrealistic?

Better joint working between sectors is being seen as part of a shift to a preventive model of care, but there should be pragmatism about what can be achieved
An elderly Sikh lady is helped
Better linkage of preventative services will lead to people being identified and supported earlier.

Despite successive governments recognising the potential benefits of supporting older people to stay well, avoid injury and get back on their feet after a hospital admission, it has proved difficult to achieve change in practice.

That does not mean that there has been no progress. There are re-ablement and falls prevention services available in most local areas, and numerous examples of innovative projects being delivered through the third sector. However, the much called-for shift to a more preventive model is yet to become a reality.