Michael Meacher speech on ATOS Work Capability Assessments January 17th, 2013

ramsas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuFw9DT-RlA[/URL]

ebsay

Michael Meacher speech on ATOS Work Capability Assessments January 17th, 2013

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate...A10964#g1080.0

''I have been sent nearly 300 case histories, many of which make heart-rending reading. I cannot begin to do justice to their feelings of distress, indignation, fear, helplessness and, indeed, widespread anger at the way they have been treated.

Nor can I easily contain my own feelings at the slowness, rigidity and insensitivity with which Atos and the Department for Work and Pensions have responded—or very often not responded—to the cries of pain that they have heard repeatedly.

I have time to cite briefly only three examples which show how extreme is the dysfunction and malfunctioning of the Atos assessments.

The first example concerns a constituent of mine who was epileptic almost from birth and was subject to grand mal seizures. At the age of 24, he was called in by Atos, classified as fit for work and had his benefit cut by £70 a week. He appealed, but became agitated and depressed and lost weight, fearing that he could not pay his rent or buy food. Three months later, he had a major seizure that killed him. A month after he died, the DWP rang his parents to say that it had made a mistake and his benefit was being restored.

The second example, also from the Oldham area, concerns a middle-aged woman who was registered blind and in an advanced stage of retinitis pigmentosa. She was assessed at 9 points—well short of the 15 that are needed—and her incapacity benefit was withdrawn. On review by a tribunal, the Atos rating of 9 points was increased to 24.

The third case—I could have chosen from hundreds of others—also comes from the north-west and concerns an insulin-dependent diabetic with squamous cell cancer, Hughes syndrome, which involves a failed immune system, peripheral neuropathy, which meant that he had no feeling in his feet or legs, heart disease, depression and anxiety. Despite his life-threatening condition, he was placed in the work-related activity group.

Those and myriad other examples illustrate incontrovertibly that Atos’s current work capability assessment system is drastically flawed, and for several reasons. First, Atos is an IT firm and it uses the so-called Logic Integrated Medical Assessment, which is often described as “rigid” and “tick-box” because computer-based systems make it difficult for health professionals to exercise their professional judgment. Because such a mechanistic system has little or no regard for the complexity of the needs of severely disabled or sick persons, the British Medical Association and others have condemned the current WCA as “not fit for purpose”. ''

ebsay

ramsas wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuFw9DT-RlA[/URL]

Michael Meacher - speech on Atos and Work Capability Assessments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q9QfRVB6HA

dori2o

ebsay wrote: »

Michael Meacher speech on ATOS Work Capability Assessments January 17th, 2013

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate...A10964#g1080.0

''I have been sent nearly 300 case histories, many of which make heart-rending reading. I cannot begin to do justice to their feelings of distress, indignation, fear, helplessness and, indeed, widespread anger at the way they have been treated.

Nor can I easily contain my own feelings at the slowness, rigidity and insensitivity with which Atos and the Department for Work and Pensions have responded—or very often not responded—to the cries of pain that they have heard repeatedly.

I have time to cite briefly only three examples which show how extreme is the dysfunction and malfunctioning of the Atos assessments.

The first example concerns a constituent of mine who was epileptic almost from birth and was subject to grand mal seizures. At the age of 24, he was called in by Atos, classified as fit for work and had his benefit cut by £70 a week. He appealed, but became agitated and depressed and lost weight, fearing that he could not pay his rent or buy food. Three months later, he had a major seizure that killed him. A month after he died, the DWP rang his parents to say that it had made a mistake and his benefit was being restored.

The second example, also from the Oldham area, concerns a middle-aged woman who was registered blind and in an advanced stage of retinitis pigmentosa. She was assessed at 9 points—well short of the 15 that are needed—and her incapacity benefit was withdrawn. On review by a tribunal, the Atos rating of 9 points was increased to 24.

The third case—I could have chosen from hundreds of others—also comes from the north-west and concerns an insulin-dependent diabetic with squamous cell cancer, Hughes syndrome, which involves a failed immune system, peripheral neuropathy, which meant that he had no feeling in his feet or legs, heart disease, depression and anxiety. Despite his life-threatening condition, he was placed in the work-related activity group.

Those and myriad other examples illustrate incontrovertibly that Atos’s current work capability assessment system is drastically flawed, and for several reasons. First, Atos is an IT firm and it uses the so-called Logic Integrated Medical Assessment, which is often described as “rigid” and “tick-box” because computer-based systems make it difficult for health professionals to exercise their professional judgment. Because such a mechanistic system has little or no regard for the complexity of the needs of severely disabled or sick persons, the British Medical Association and others have condemned the current WCA as “not fit for purpose”. ''

Couldn't have said it better.

I have a lot of time for Mr Meacher, he was heavily involved in helping those in his constituency when I worked at BAE Systems and the site was closing.

Again he has proven he understands the problems his constituents face daily and is not afraid to fight for them.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I watched it on Youtube and it is historic.

explumber

has any one read Democide - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. what are peoples thoughts conserning this, and the treatment of the seriously sick and disabled??

schrodie

I noted that Hoban didn't even try to excuse the inhumane behaviour of Atos so hopefully he'll go away and tell Atos to begin treating sick and disabled peole with the dignity and respect they deserve and carry out WRAs properly.

Although given the uber-nastiness that this tory lead coalition is displaying towards the poorest and most vulnerable in society there's more chance of Nick Clegg growing a spine!

halight

vision2009 wrote: »

Isn't the internet a wonderful thing. Imagine what the government and ATOS would get up to without us being able to communicate and expose them for what they are!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Information is POWER:rotfl:

I agree with this

satarical

Given all of the hype that this was going to be a 'landmark' debate, I was impressed to see that at best there were approx 41 MP's that were interested enough to attend it. I counted 17 from the government side and 24 from the Opposition. Not bad when you consider that there are 650 MP's that sit in the house!
Let's be honest this 'debate' was nothing more than a chat that could have been carried out round the bar of the nearest pub.
There is no real determination to change anything, the numbers prove that it is the same old crowd that are complaining - Meacher's cohorts (representing Oldham & Royton says enough about the guy!) The government see no need to listen as there isn't enough people that are that interested in changing anything. Complete waste of time. You are better off looking for work than trying to change what you simply cannot and will not change!

pauliboo

Wow, what a brilliant speech.

Yes there were only 40-odd MPs, but I'd rather some listened than none at all.
It has taken too long for this to reach parliament but let's hope this is a turning point in history.

satarical

pauliboo wrote: »

Wow, what a brilliant speech.

Yes there were only 40-odd MPs, but I'd rather some listened than none at all.
It has taken too long for this to reach parliament but let's hope this is a turning point in history.

Only 17 listened!! The other 24 would object to anything that the government are doing!

17 from the government side says it all.

Turning point? You will have to wait until Great Britain become an Islamic state before anything happens.