TONIGHT [30/07/12] 2 important progra... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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TONIGHT [30/07/12] 2 important programmes C4@8p.m. BB2@8:30p.m.

hamble99b profile image
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not a question, but didn't want anyone to miss

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hamble99b
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6 Replies

do you mean monday night soorry still awake brain not working xx

What were those programmes please?! :P

hamble99b profile image
hamble99b

monday 30/07/12

Channel 4 Dispatches: 20:00

Britain on the Sick

Using undercover filming, reporter Jackie Long investigates the shocking processes used to assess whether sickness and disability benefit claimants should be declared fit for work.

BBC2: 20:30

Panorama - Disabled or Faking It

DURATION: 30 MINUTES

Panorama investigates the government's plans to end the so-called 'sick note culture' and their attempts to get millions of people off disability benefits and into work. In Britain's modern welfare state, millions are being paid to private companies to assess sick and disabled claimants but is the system working? Or are new tests wrongly victimising those who deserve support the most?

sicknotesu profile image
sicknotesu

yes that would be gr8 if they could find the healthy culprits; i overheard someone saying he gets full DLA for chronic back pain... he then proceeded to say a few minutes later; that he fitted his new bathroom suite!!! i was shocked!! ... i also get DLA not the full amount tho and i am sick... the people that are genuine should not be peanalised by those who are abusing the system... someone with genuine problems should be fully assessed !

Sarahsyndrome profile image
Sarahsyndrome

Channel 4 Dispatches: 20:00

Britain on the Sick - this was unbelievable. The processes used to assess people to see if they are fit for work are utterly flawed. Even the trainers teaching doctors and other medical professionals to work as ATOS assessors felt that the job was toxic and that common sense did not apply. Despite the DWP and ATOS claiming that there were no targets, it was clearly that shown that if assessors put over 20% of claimants into the support group, they would be pulled up and told that they were passing too many claimants. The doctor working under cover was told that his professional medical judgement did not come into the assessment, he was supposed to stick rigidly to the patently ridiculous criteria

BBC2: 20:30

Panorama - Disabled or Faking It - I was equally horrified (but sadly not shocked) by this documentary. What exactly do people who are genuinely ill have to do to convince ATOS, the DWP and the government that they are indeed too sick to work?

Millions of pounds are being wasted each year due to the high numbers of cases go to appeal (causing real stress to the person who is ill) - millions which could actually allow people who have a genuine illness to take the time they need, either to recover without the strain of continuous reassessment, or allow people who cannot go back to work on medical grounds to live without fear of being labelled as malingerers and forced into Work related activities which take their toll on what little of life they can enjoy.

This has made me truly angry - I didn't ask to be ill. I am working (albeit signed off at present) but if I was told I could no longer work, I would be forced to undergo these ridiculous, humiliating and patently flawed assessments - I have had to fight employers forcing me out of jobs due to my illnesses over the years - now it appears that the current government through their DWP and ATOS minions will try to deny me benefits if I am forced to apply for benefits.

Furious is an understatement!!!!!

JaneBG profile image
JaneBG

I watched the c4 one...so cross!! Agree with sicknotesu, why should people who are off work for genuine reasons be bullied into working when there are so many people out there that have no reason not to go to work and have been on benefits for years...kick them off their backsides! I am waiting for my tribunal (after appealing). Am dreading being made to work as I know it will have a negative effect on my health.