Esa/atos.. Ask The Leaders A Question Bbc/itv/sky

[COUNTMEIN]

HI All

 

I have just been on the BBC website and there is an opportunity to ask the leaders a question when they have their 'debate' live on TV...

 

Think it is a good time to air our views to them re the DWP/ATOS farce?

 

if enough of us ask / tell our experiences about the absolute farce this system is to the BBC / ITV /SKY then there might be a possibility that they'll raise the subject to them on THE TV ??

 

and just perhaps, someone might 'listen and take notice??

 

I would urge anyone who is able, to get a question in to them via BBC / ITV /SKY WEBSITES' PLEASE'

 

REGARDS

 

COUNTMEIN X

[honeybee13]

Great idea, countmein. I'll have a look and try to post.

 

HB

[ee-bee]

what a good idea,i`ll have a look at the bbc web site now

[COUNTMEIN]

The Leaders' Debate: Submit Your Question for Gordon Brown, David Cameron or Nick Clegg for the General Election Debate

 

BBC News - Your question for the Prime Ministerial Debate

 

ITV Election debate

 

Hope these links work,? and hope it helps...

 

the more people that e-mail and "ask a question" regarding ESA then the more chance that it will be mentioned "wortha try anyway"??

 

countmein x

[mikejgk]

Might want to quote this example from the Disability&Benefits Consortium comment on ESA:

 

An example of an avoidable appeal includes a former engineer in his 50s seen by a London Citizens Advice Bureau. After feeling ill for a number of months he visited his GP and was referred to hospital and required a triple bypass. About three weeks after being discharged he started to feel extremely ill. He went back to hospital and after a series of tests was diagnosed with inoperable and incurable stomach and liver cancer. At his WCA he was found fit for work on the basis that he remarked he walked daily (although not far and not without discomfort) and could raise his hands above his head (once). None of his medical consultants could believe the decision. He appealed and was put into the support group for people not required to look for work.

[ee-bee]

if it wasnt so serious its almost laughable,am doing my best here to ask a question on the bbc web site but cant seem to put my thoughts into a question,need to write a bloody essay on what i think about atos medicals

[F_DCAs]

How about this. Long winded, I know, but politicians like to be, so why can't we?

 

'There have been great concerns over the way that those on sickness-related benefits have been treated by the private company Atos, who have been brought in to assess the patient's capability for work.

 

It seems that there have been a dramatically and continually increasing number of appeals against the assessment decision, especially in regards to the format of how the assessments have been conducted and the veracity of the information gathered during the assessment.

 

Atos have now acquired an extremely bad reputation - particularly online - for how it has approached the problem, and a number of charities, such as Mind, are negative in regards to Atos' involvement. It is also beginning to become common knowledge.

 

1) How can the word of the Atos Healthcare Professional take precedence over that of a qualified doctor or specialist, when A) The Atos HCP doesn't know the patient or the patient's history/medical background, and B) Atos will not account for that HCP's qualifications if the patient asks.

 

2) If these assessments are medically related as claimed by Atos, then why does Atos and the DWP not check the patient's medical record, nor confirm any details with any doctors/specialists that the patient has been seeing?

 

3) Does the panel agree that the Atos assessments are politically and financially motivated, as opposed to any genuine concern regarding that patient's welfare?'

[COUNTMEIN]

How about this. Long winded, I know, but politicians like to be, so why can't we?

 

'There have been great concerns over the way that those on sickness-related benefits have been treated by the private company Atos, who have been brought in to assess the patient's capability for work.

 

It seems that there have been a dramatically and continually increasing number of appeals against the assessment decision, especially in regards to the format of how the assessments have been conducted and the veracity of the information gathered during the assessment.

 

Atos have now acquired an extremely bad reputation - particularly online - for how it has approached the problem, and a number of charities, such as Mind, are negative in regards to Atos' involvement. It is also beginning to become common knowledge.

 

1) How can the word of the Atos Healthcare Professional take precedence over that of a qualified doctor or specialist, when A) The Atos HCP doesn't know the patient or the patient's history/medical background, and B) Atos will not account for that HCP's qualifications if the patient asks.

 

2) If these assessments are medically related as claimed by Atos, then why does Atos and the DWP not check the patient's medical record, nor confirm any details with any doctors/specialists that the patient has been seeing?

 

3) Does the panel agree that the Atos assessments are politically and financially motivated, as opposed to any genuine concern regarding that patient's welfare?'

 

" Well Done for that ".!!

 

I titled my question as...

 

"When did this country stop supporting and caring for people who are sick"?

 

I then gave a "brief" ( DIFFICULT I KNOW, WHERE THIS SHAMBLES OF A SYSTEM IS CONCERNED) outline of my conditions explaining how I have had three major operations with the fourth on 21st of this month, and just 8 days after my last one, Atos/DWP considered I was 'fit for work' and took me of my ESA!....I asked them what are people who were in pain, waiting for / recovering from operations expected to do?...Whatever happended to caring for the sick and vulnerable people of this country??....I could go on ( and on!!) but I wont bore you all with the details...

 

I can't believe how this government has got/gets away with it, to be quite honest? - I have never had to claim anything in my life ( 52 years)...and now when I need it after contributing all my working life, I find I have to fight 'tooth and nail' for £64.30 measley pounds a week!!! cant believe how BAD this system is.....

 

Pity I'm not 16 again!! - could get myself pregnant with a couple of kids and get my house rent free and have a couple of hundred quid a week 'hand0ut from them!!...

 

DISGUSTING AND IT STINKS!!

 

good luck everyone

 

regards

 

countmein x

[loan_ranger]

Thanks countmein for opening this forum. I'd never forgive myself if I missed this opportunity to try and get the ESA and Atos scandal brought to wider public attention.

[RaeUK]

Agreed, loan ranger.

Just out of interest, how many of these debates are there? I originally just thought there was going to be one but it looks like a plethora...

Best wishes

Rae.

[loan_ranger]

It looks like there are 3 debates: Thursdays 15, 22, 29 April.

The first debate, themed on domestic affairs, will be held in the north-west of England, with ITV newsreader Alastair Stewart moderating.

The second, focusing on global issues, will take place in south-west England, with Sky's political editor Adam Boulton in charge.

The third, broadcast by the BBC from the Midlands, will be moderated by Question Time host David Dimbleby and deal with the economy.

[loan_ranger]

Trying hard to get the ITV web page without any luck. Their "pants" website times out every time.

 

@F_DCAs

Cracking good question. Do you mind if we all re-use it?

 

Edited April 12, 2010 by loan_ranger

[loan_ranger]

I guess they've closed the ITV page due to the closeness of Thursday 15th (the day of the debate) however I shall send my question by email to the address that they gave in a joint press release by the 3 TV stations.

[email protected]

 

Regards,

Paul.

 

(edit: 12/04/10 13:20 - The ITV web page is working OK again)

Edited April 12, 2010 by loan_ranger
added info

[Allwood]

16 billion of benefit goes unclaimed every year, I expect that will go toward pet projects wars. It will not go to disable or sick people or people in need.

 

£16bn worth of benefits unclaimed every year - Telegraph

[ee-bee]

well i`v done it,have sent my question ,has any body else sent one?

[loan_ranger]

@ee-bee

 

I've sent mine

 

I've also let 175 others* know of this initiative and told them to see this thread.

 

* http://groups.google.com/group/no-to-welfare-abolition/

 

(This is a group for people who want to stop the draconian changes proposed in the Welfare Reform Bill)

Edited April 12, 2010 by loan_ranger
added content

[F_DCAs]

That's fine - I don't mind at all if the question's used. I'm quite flattered for being asked.

[loan_ranger]

Phew! Thanks for that because I sent it to ITV this morning.

I had a try at formulating my own question and it was harder work than I imagined. My effort was so long winded that yours by comparison would qualify for the prize for succinctness, moreover, your much better question still made my attempt look like the work of an imbecile.

 

Regards, Paul.

[45002]

I hate to say this,but i don't think the 3 main parties will give a hoot,it's going to be 3 controlled debates to suit the main parties and tv companies.

 

 

What's more worrying i think is ATOS is here to stay,the 3 main parties will be happy with ATOS results

 

Have a read of this it makes for shocking read http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca/esa_wca_19012010.pdf

 

9 per cent have been assessed as Support Group

23 per cent have been assessed as Work Related Activity

68 per cent have been deemed Fit for Work

[loan_ranger]

@45002:

I'm afraid that I tend to agree with you, but I'm one of those who would prefer to try even if it means failure, than to never have tried at all.

I also read the report, it was the feedback from the JCP staff and Managers that got me angry when they said that some of the high volume of appeals was due to, (paraphrased) "anyone who has seen a cut in their income is bound to complain, especially if they can get the same money and avoid the Work Focussed Interviews, as they do when they make an appeal. Most appellants know this and just take advantage"

 

I think the following basically sums the situation up vis politicians and corporatism's mutual interests being served at the cost of the electorate.

 

"The worst thing about British politics is that this issue is not even going to be on the table at the next election. At the end of the day, whether the next prime minister is Labour or Tory, or probably even Liberal Democrat, ESA is pretty much safe. It might get renamed. If we’re really lucky, they might sack the contractor, and pledge to find a better one. But ultimately the basic problem will remain.

But this is how public services are delivered these days. There’s no debate on this issue among the political parties (even if the public is far from in agreement).

The fact is that any government wanting to change this policy (or many other related policies) would have to take on business interests and the markets. They will not tolerate any ruling party wavering in commitment to continued “reform” and “modernisation” of public services (i.e. tailoring policy to channel more public money to business while removing public money from other causes, ESA being a perfect example of both). They have huge amounts of lobbying power, national and international, and have very strong allies in the owners of the press. It’s hardly surprising that career-minded politicians generally find it easier just to implement their agenda."

[pompeyfaith]

Meridian Regional News | Merdian Tonight - ITV Local

[F_DCAs]

That link just leads me to an ITV homepage. What did it say exactly?

[pompeyfaith]

The video link is on that page along with the story next to it headed FIGHTING TO BE FIT

 

Fighting to be fit

 

4.37PM Mon Apr 12 2010She'd fought anorexia for more than five years. Now, finally, she had it under control - and was looking forward to better health and some normality, by beginning a new job. Doctors agreed that Nicola Hobbs, who's 19, was well enough to work - yet she failed a health test for a job. But, when she returned to her local job centre, she was told she WAS fit for work. To add insult to injury it was the same company which assessed her on both occasions.

By: Charlotte Wilkins

 

 

 

PF

[cbbc]

Hi, I had the SAME ATOS doctor for ESA and then 6 months later for Industrial Injuries and he contradicted himself by awarding me as 28% disabled with impared mobility in lower limbs for Industrial Injuries for a year but saying I am fit for work for ESA and I can walk, stand and sit without a problem. The JCP said that the medicals were different but surley my illness is the same.

[F_DCAs]

The whole thing is done with the convenience of the client taking main priority over the welfare of the patient (or 'customer').

 

Whether it's occupational health or as DWP lackeys, it's all the same to the Atos Healthcare money whores.

 

It's been described as 'corporate negligence on a grand scale' and it's true.

 

And as one previous poster has pointed out, I hope someone's keeping a suicide watch on them.