I've been reading quite a lot about the welfare reforms going in in the uk and how sick people are being sent for a medical to prove that they are not fit for work? but it looks like no matter how ill you are even if your own Gp says you can not work once you have been to a medical with a company called Atos healthcare which is the company the Dwp use almost all are found to be fit for work even those who are obviously not. I have done a bit of reading about this and there has even been deaths shortly after this company Atos have said the person is fit for work. Now although this does not effect me I know that there are people in Bg who are claiming incapacity benefit legally and wondered how they will feel if they have to go for a medical and are found fit for work even though they may not be? below is a story of 1 of the many that have been found fit for work. From what I can gather although these people who are sick go fo a medical with Atos it's actually a computer program that decides if they are fit oir not? I have also read that thios new system has been condemned by 99% of Gp's in the uk and all of the charities like Cancer research have called for it to be stopped immediately. I have also read that this multi billion pound company Atos will be taking over that administration of the Dwp in the future which will put quite a few out of work because they think they can reduce costs by 28%. Just key in Atos in Google and you will be surprised at how many sites there are in opposition.
Atos Disability Benefits Row: Epileptic Colin Traynor's Death Blamed On Stress Of Being Found 'Fit For Work
The parents of a man who suffered from epilepsy and died after being stripped of his benefits have blamed his death on the stress of being found 'fit for work'.
Colin Traynor, 29, was marked as being able to work as part of the government's overhaul of the welfare system.
He appealed against the decision but died before finding out the result which was ultimately successful.
His family learned the appeal verdict five weeks after his death in April.
Mr Traynor's father Ray said: "
I firmly believe - 100% believe - that the system this government introduced has killed my son."
Mr Traynor told Channel Four News the appeal process should have been carried out more quickly, which would have eased his son's stress.
He criticised the bureaucracy which he believed led to delays in hearing the appeal.
"
I don't want some government minister telling me what he can do, some penpusher in London - they don't even know my son, they've no idea whatsoever,"
said Mr Traynor, from Oldham, Greater Manchester.
"
You've got to change the system we've got today. You've got to stop other people going through this.
"
The assessment is wrong. There are other people like my son out there with different illnesses, and they are going through the same (thing).
"
People are dying."
The original work capability assessment was carried out by the French firm Atos, which has sparked anger with some of its controversial decisions to judge people fit for employment.
But ministers believe the new system is fairer in deciding what sort of work claimants can perform.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: "
A decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough face-to-face assessment and after consideration of all the supporting medical evidence from the claimant's GP or medical specialist.
"
We encourage people to provide as much medical evidence as possible when they apply for Employment Support Allowance, and often people who are found fit for work only provide the necessary evidence when they ask for a reconsideration or an appeal.
"
Since 2010 we have considerably improved the work capability assessment process, giving people a more tailored and personal service."
In a statement, Atos said: "
Our trained doctors, nurses and physiotherapists strictly follow the guidelines given to them by the Government when conducting assessments and make no decisions on a person's eligibility for benefits."
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