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CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER MEDICALS
Do you wish that the DLA and other medicals were more accurate? Then read on. We believe that the medical examinations for such things as DLA IB and AA can be made a lot more accurate and fair.
When an applicant for benefits is referred to a Benefits Agency doctor what they are really saying is "we don't believe you".
At present SEMA Group (now SchlumbergerSema) have a company called Medical Services doing these medicals, they in turn sub-contract the job to Nestor Disability Analaysis (NDA) who hire the doctors on a piece rate basis.
What happens at present is either you visit a designated doctor or a home visit is arranged for you. The doctor calls and spends about an hour filling in a form (DLA 140 in the case of DLA claimants).
The "medical examination" leading to the doctors "clinical findings" is derisory to say the least. The questions are all to find out the least about how your disability affects you and more about how they can make a good case for not giving you benefits.
We believe that the questions and format of these medicals should be independently audited and re-organised. The medical report should be geared toward what are now more prevalent diseases such as Asthma, Diabetes and other disabling illness of the 21st century. Mere measurements with a tape measure are extremely primitive compared to modern tools such as MRI scanners which are available. No doubt the DWP would say "ah but that would be expensive", of course it would, but would'nt it catch more of the bad fraudsters as well? It is difficult to fool an MRI scanner and the whole battery of modern blood tests that can be done. True, there may be an element of infringement of privacy here as blood tests DNA test etc can reveal quite a lot about you. For instance it could be that the DWP think you may be alcholic and take drugs or have AIDS etc etc and make different conclusions based on this. There would have to be some rules about divulging information to other goverment departments etc.. We think that most genuine claimants would have nothing to hide and would therefore submit freely to a battery of tests at a modern clinic for instance. It could even be a private clinic, BUPA for instance.
With a complete profile based on medical tests, physical examination, assessment of psychological status, OT reports and GP findings it would be possible (ideally) to tailor a benefits package that suits the individual.
This would include any services required such as Home Helps or payments for Carers for instance.
We believe money could be saved by awarding payments for servces to those most in need of them whilst those who would work but are not confident enough to even look for a job should be helped more comprehensibly to find ways of earning a living. This should include ways of becoming self employed and running businesses as well.
The vast amount of red tape should be discarded.
Folk are appying for benefits that they desperately need but have to wait months whilst clerks and courts decide their fate. Meanwhile some comit suicide or just plain die waiting. Others loose their homes that they have worked for (and paid NI contributions) because they cannot meet mortgage payments. Nearly all have deteriorating health which is only worsened by the stress of waiting.
You can help make changes by contacting your MP. They may not be aware there is a problem with these medicals both for DLA and Incapacity Benefits. After the General Election the list of MPs will change, click here for the list of newly elected MPs.
We would like your opinions on this subject and would appreciate you spending 2 minutes to send us your thoughts:-