People with LONG TERM Health problems - GPs could refer you to job coaches

Karen_taris

This could be shocking for people with long term health issues. You can join the protest if you feel you don't want to support this.

Angry claimants are to march on one of six GP surgeries in Islington that is to embed DWP funded Remploy job coaches in its practice, the Guardian is reporting.


The pilot scheme allows GPs to refer patients who are unemployed and have long-term health problems to job coaches based within the surgery.




The job coaches will “work with patients to establish their previous work experience, knowledge and skills, to build confidence, set goals and identify job or educational opportunities.”


It is intended that the job coaches will have the power to write entries in patients’ medical records.


The main target of the project is claimants with mental health conditions.


There is considerable concern amongst activists that vulnerable claimants will be pressured into seeing job coaches and then further pressured into attempting unsuitable work or training as coaches attempt to hit targets.


The DPAC protest will take place on 4 March, 3pm at the City Road Surgery, 190-196 City Road, London EC1V 2QH




Full details of the protest are on the DPAC website

You can read the full article in the Guardian.

Diary

This doesn't belong on this board unless you have a specific question. It'll just start another tirade that belongs on discussion.

ab1982

Job coaches to assist unemployed disabled people in identifying employable strengths. Sounds sensible in theory, why protest?

densol_2

OP - thanks for posting. Id really appreciate one of these, Im going to investigate if similar down here. I saw the DWP disability advisor at the job centre but she didnt really have " coaching " skills.

I need to get a job soon

Dunno why people are " protesting ! "

dippy3103

If the job coaches have the right training and people get support why not.

I assume it's only if the GP thinks that person could benefit from working ?

tomtontom

I have no problem with this, assuming it works as intended. Any support to move between sickness and (appropriate) employment can only be a good thing.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Having long term health issues doesn't prevent you from working.

I am glad this state endorsed discrimination of the disabled and those with long term illnesses is stopping. For years only the healthy and able bodied were getting help.

Being treated equally is a two way street.

dippy3103

An extract from the rally call:-

"Patients who are unemployed and have long-term health conditions can ask their GP to refer them to “intensive and personalised employment coaching” within the surgery."

From this :-

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/protesters-to-march-on-gp-surgery-over-maximus-job-coach-project/

dippy3103

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Having long term health issues doesn't prevent you from working.

I am glad this state endorsed discrimination of the disabled and those with long term illnesses is stopping. For years only the healthy and able bodied were getting help.

Being treated equally is a two way street.

Exactly. Some people genuinely are unable to work, some people are unable to do certain jobs (or require reasonable adjustments such as myself) and others seem to view benefits as a comfort blanket. I have worked with people in wheelchairs and with a plethora of disabilities. Why should someone that is disabled be denied the opportunity to work?

If it becomes mandatory, then protest by all means but whilst it's voluntary I don't see the issue.

Cheeky_Monkey

The main target of the project is claimants with mental health conditions.

I imagine some of the people protesting will be the long-term workshy who have swapped their 'bad back' for the much more trendy 'mental health issues'

teddysmum

When Remploy establishments, which provided sheltered work for disabled people, were closed down, it was the disabled people who protested, because they wanted to work. Able-bodied workshy would not have done that.