CelticTwilight wrote quote from above link
Quote:
"Fluctuating Conditions
12.
The WCA is one assessment at a particular point in time. The assessment is intended, regardless of when it is carried out, to take into account how a person’s capability may vary over time. Its intention is to assess whether a person can complete a task reliably, repeatedly and safely.
"Question 3: What is the best way to ensure that the effect of fluctuating conditions is reflected in the recommendation of the WCA?"
Taken from the consultation via the link in the Guardian article
Surely a series of assessments and not just carried out by ATOS but all relevant professional bodies would be more appropriate (like visits to GP's, psychiatrists, occupational therapists etc). This is more than feasible in view of the time available waiting for appeal tribunals whose backlog is continuing to grow. And that all the evidence be duely considered unlike at present when it all has to be available at the time of the all crucial medical report which decisions are virtually entirely based upon.
I conclude that the current ATOS/DWP WCA is not fit for purpose i.e. in adequately and accurately assessing a claimant's true physical and/or mental health with respect to how they would likely cope in a 'new' work environment. Therefore, this is bordering on professional and medical negligence.
Perhaps an alternative approach would be to get all the fully able bodied people actively seeking employment allocated into posts first and extending business grants beyond 25 year olds, whilst also in the meantime spending all the piles of unclaimed benefit money on vital care, support and research of the various illnesses ATOS appear to be in ignorance or denial of.
The government could also focus it's attention on the far more costly area of tax evation by the wealthy which dwarfs benefit fraud by comparison.
Or just carry on with the lip service, ignoring duty of care (members of parliament are supposedly elected to represent the public) and keep picking on easy targets who often are not even capable of attending a medical or tribunal let alone cope with the paperwork. As when like me at times they can actually defend themselves it goes against them anyway.
It isn't Orwellian so much as it is medieval. Now how was it they determined a witch again? And we call it a civilised society. Undecided
In short ESA is a set up, a gimmick to make the previous government look like they were tackling unemployment. A visit to your local job centre will provide a good start point to anyone wanting to assess the efficiency levels of the benefits service. I would describe mine in one word 'chaos'.
CT
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IMPORTANT FILES TO HELP UNDERSTAND HOW ESA WORKSThe Full Facts ESA50 Claim form and Guide (pdf download)
This guide is the most important file at site.including what illnesssess do not have to attend a medical
download/file.php?id=66ESA SUPPORT GROUP CRITERIA
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=321What to write if you think you should have a home visit
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=620&hilit=home+visit#p1871
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