Doctors Tell DWP: We Didn't Approve Wording Of 'Misleading' Benefits Letter

Doctors Tell DWP: We Didn't Approve Wording Of 'Misleading' Benefits Letter
"Patients and claimants are suffering and continue to suffer as long as these letters are sent out."
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/dwp-esa65b-letter_uk_5cc49359e4b08e4e3482caad?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMfC7EUbOPm_u9qYrIggwQg9C90doGZmT5OswNim-6unr2Mw-gqotaPZ22epsmZZ0A3rlTq5l66ZG4iwqUtleY1vL7N8o2BKTlOSah7-YFjTGePRFhg_YlQjAdpvttayEuuLxIKMOz0fUVAEvn3F20O2EegkiQk7rOWrsPSfZ7rl

Committee publishes doctors’ views on “Fit Notes” and ESA appeals
https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/work-and-pensions-committee/news-parliament-2017/fit-notes-esa-appeaks-17-19/

Health of vulnerable patients ‘endangered’ by benefit advice given to GPs by government
Claimants health is being potentially endangered, medical bodies say
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gp-fit-notes-advice-patients-government-a8890121.html

Breaking: doctors have slammed the government for sending misleading letters to GPs that could mean sick and disabled people can’t get the benefits they’re entitled to.

It’s made a splash in the news, and the government says they are “discussing changes” to the letters. But with doctors and experts warning that right now people’s health is being put at risk, we need to turn up the pressure to make sure they act fast.

Already over 85,000 have signed the petition calling for the government to give GPs the right advice, and stop ill or disabled people being denied the support they’re entitled to. Will you add your name?

To: Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions
Stop sending misleading letters to GPs

The department for work and pensions (DWP) are sending doctors misleading letters stating that their patients do not need a “fit note” anymore because they’ve been found fit for work. This letter will leave severely ill and disabled claimants unable to obtain Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to which they are entitled pending appeal.

This threatens the doctor – patient relationship and puts patients at risk of damaging their health further and leaves them in serious financial difficulties.

Case Study
Like thousands of others, Louis* was too ill to work and needed the vital income ESA provides – but his claim was refused. Louis was blocked from claiming ESA as he awaited his hearing, due to a misleading letter sent from the DWP to his doctor without Louis’ knowledge. Louis had to rely on food-bank vouchers, went into debt, accrued rent arrears and faced an increased risk of eviction. It took moving GPs and relying on new evidence from a clinical psychologist stating how his mental health would deteriorate further if he did not obtain the fit note, and therefore the benefits he needed to survive.

Louis is not alone. These letters are sent to the GP of every person after they have been refused ESA - before they've finished the appeal process. 88% of our clients win their appeal and are entitled to ESA again.

It is not for the DWP to interfere with the GP and their patient. Sign the petition today.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-sending-misleading-letters-to-gps

DWP has sent 150,000 of the 'fit for work' letters that 'risk patients' health'
The scale of the problem is exposed after 146,500 people were found 'fit for work' in the 13 months since the DWP changed the wording of a controversial letter
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-sent-150000-fit-work-14968771