Hi All - This is a major step forward for us and a major distancing of a Government department from ATOS - we will keep pushing. Sean Sir I am writing to you on behalf of our members. The Veterans Party is an emerging organisation formed to protect veterans of the United Kingdoms Armed Forces. I am writing to you on this occasion regarding the callous decision taken by Bro Taf local medical committee to restrict assistance given by GP’s to veterans of the United Kingdoms Armed Forces by their local GP’s. Surely the Armed Forces Covenant sets out the responsibility of local government and the National Health Service has towards veterans, this callous action goes hard against the Covenant. We find it difficult to understand how Dr Charles Allanby, chair of the committee can make such a decision. Our GP’s surely have a duty of care to support their patients who now find themselves in such difficult positions. Refusing to assist will very likely effect further the health of veterans. Veterans have been proud to serve and have put themselves into danger on behalf of their country. This action carried out by a servant of government is a failure of all those promises given by government to veterans. We request that this decision to disadvantage Military Veterans be withdrawn as soon as possible. We will be approaching the the first minister of Wales and the Secretary of State for Defence and the Health Minister about this matter. Veterans must be treated with respect and given the full force of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Veterans Party will not let this matter rest. Your sincerely Sean Ingram Chairman of The Veterans Party Yr Adran Iechyd, Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a Phlant Department for Health, Social Services and Children Sean Ingram [email protected] Sent via email Eich cyf/Your ref: Ein cyf/Our ref: Date: 21 August 2013 Dear Mr Ingram Thank you for your e-mail of 19 July regarding the advice issued to GPs by Bro Taf Local Medical Committee (LMC) not to write on behalf of patients appealing benefit claim decisions. I am concerned that the letter sent by Bro Taf LMC to those GPs in its area of operations has not explained fully the evidence gathering and assessment process undertaken by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the contractual obligations between DWP and GPs in relation to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The failure to do so has resulted, in my view, in a misinterpretation of the level of support provided by GPs. Entitlement to PIP is assessed by a health professional who must be an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic or doctor. If the health professional believes that further evidence would help inform their advice to DWP such as a factual report from a GP, then DWP will pay GPs to provide further evidence. The health professional assessor also advises claimants not to delay their claim to seek evidence or ask for evidence for which they might be charged, such as a letter from their GP. In relation to entitlement to ESA, GPs are paid by DWP to provide medical reports. A claimant who disagrees with the decision made by DWP may request an explanation of the decision in writing. If the claimant believes facts have been overlooked, or that more information may be available, they may request a review. If DWP considers that further medical evidence is necessary to support a claim or appeal, DWP will seek the information from the GP and DWP will be responsible for paying any fee to the doctor providing that evidence. GPs are not required to respond to requests for further information from the claimant themselves. If they agree to do so, they may charge the claimant. A claimant may also appeal against a decision to an independent tribunal. Parc Cathays ▪ Cathays Park Caerdydd ▪ Cardiff CF10 3NQ Ffôn * Tel Ffacs * Fax [email protected] Gwefan/Website: cymru.gov.uk This matter was discussed with the General Practitioners Committee for Wales (GPC(W)). During discussions GPC(W) confirmed that this letter has been withdrawn. Having said this, I was concerned that the LMC had instructed GPs not to provide any letters of support or letters to confirm care needs. These patients are amongst the most vulnerable in society who may be the least able to articulate their particular needs to PIP health professional entitlement assessors. Patients whose entitlement to ESA and PIP is being assessed are already subject to significant stress and worry. There will always be circumstances where patients need to discuss with their GP medical issues relating to their fitness to work and level of care need. A blanket approach where GPs will not provide any further support and advice will undoubtedly place these patients under even greater stress which, in turn, may require a greater level of clinical support. I intend to ensure that this issue is discussed further with GPC(W) and will also be discussing this with the other Devolved Administrations, since I am sure that the concerns expressed by GPs and Bro Taf LMC are not limited to Wales. Finally, I welcome the recent DWP proposals to procure additional providers to deliver Work Capability Assessments (WCA), the proposals for requiring Atos to deliver a quality improvement plan, and the further independent review of Atos. Yours sincerely Jill Nicholas General Medical Services Officer
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:47:49 +0000
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