Thanks for the update. The key thing for anything to change is the issue of government funding. If the Department of Health plan doesn't commit to extra funding then it won't be worth the paper it's written on.
At a recent public consultation held by the West Yorkshire ICB on the NHS 10 year plan the number 1 issue raised by members of the public was extra funding. Without that the best plans in the world come to nothing. I don't know why the ME community wants to ignore this issue. Never mind the complete lack of moral compass displayed by this government of red tories on a whole number of important issues. Don't take any this government says at face value. We have a government committeed to the further destruction of the NHS through privatisation.
spot on. ring fenced funding, separate and adequate budgets for improvement of care vs more research, all of this to be led by pwME/LC.
Do I believe our government will deliver any of this? Nope, they are very loud and clear how they value disabled people (and working people, and the environment, and most of all, their corporate overlords). Red tories indeed. Neo-Libourals.
Hi, I'm new to the site. I'm interested in promoting the interests of ME/CFS patients. I live in an area which has no dedicated service/clinic for CFS/ME.
I was initially interested in improving service supply/access for local patients but had to divert my energies into applying for benefits.
Something has come up which may represent a significant difficulty for ME/CFS patients in accessing benefits going forward.
My PIP decision made 4 references to the lack of "fatigue support management", occupational therapy, physiotherapy, etc., in arriving at and justifying my award. I have been awarded the standard rate ( Iam appealing,) but this is largely justified in the award statement because of the private consultants I personally paid for when I first became unwell with CFS.
I live in East Lancs, and this NHS Trust's ME/CFS policy is that treatment is provided by GPs.
My GP has tried 4 times over 6 years to refer me into the NHS for support/ treatment, and in all cases referral has been refused on the basis of lack of specialism.
I am now applying for Universal Credit. I am presented with the same difficulty - of not being able to have my condition confirmed by anyone other than my GP.
The DWP via the privately run Health Assessment Agency, does not appear to accept GP evidence.
I am wondering how many other CFS/ME patients are experiencing difficulties accessing benefits because of the absence of NHS services in their region.
I'm also wondering if this constitutes a legal prejudice. We are in effect being held responsible/prejudiced by the act or omission of another agency (the NHS), over which we have no control. Does anyone know what the legal/DWP position is for disabilities that cannot provide clinical proof due to lack of NHS provision.
Thanks for the update. The key thing for anything to change is the issue of government funding. If the Department of Health plan doesn't commit to extra funding then it won't be worth the paper it's written on.
At a recent public consultation held by the West Yorkshire ICB on the NHS 10 year plan the number 1 issue raised by members of the public was extra funding. Without that the best plans in the world come to nothing. I don't know why the ME community wants to ignore this issue. Never mind the complete lack of moral compass displayed by this government of red tories on a whole number of important issues. Don't take any this government says at face value. We have a government committeed to the further destruction of the NHS through privatisation.
spot on. ring fenced funding, separate and adequate budgets for improvement of care vs more research, all of this to be led by pwME/LC.
Do I believe our government will deliver any of this? Nope, they are very loud and clear how they value disabled people (and working people, and the environment, and most of all, their corporate overlords). Red tories indeed. Neo-Libourals.
TREATMENT LINKS TO BENEFIT ENTITLEMENT
Hi, I'm new to the site. I'm interested in promoting the interests of ME/CFS patients. I live in an area which has no dedicated service/clinic for CFS/ME.
I was initially interested in improving service supply/access for local patients but had to divert my energies into applying for benefits.
Something has come up which may represent a significant difficulty for ME/CFS patients in accessing benefits going forward.
My PIP decision made 4 references to the lack of "fatigue support management", occupational therapy, physiotherapy, etc., in arriving at and justifying my award. I have been awarded the standard rate ( Iam appealing,) but this is largely justified in the award statement because of the private consultants I personally paid for when I first became unwell with CFS.
I live in East Lancs, and this NHS Trust's ME/CFS policy is that treatment is provided by GPs.
My GP has tried 4 times over 6 years to refer me into the NHS for support/ treatment, and in all cases referral has been refused on the basis of lack of specialism.
I am now applying for Universal Credit. I am presented with the same difficulty - of not being able to have my condition confirmed by anyone other than my GP.
The DWP via the privately run Health Assessment Agency, does not appear to accept GP evidence.
I am wondering how many other CFS/ME patients are experiencing difficulties accessing benefits because of the absence of NHS services in their region.
I'm also wondering if this constitutes a legal prejudice. We are in effect being held responsible/prejudiced by the act or omission of another agency (the NHS), over which we have no control. Does anyone know what the legal/DWP position is for disabilities that cannot provide clinical proof due to lack of NHS provision.