Mental Welfare Commission investigation following death of ESA claimant

thanks to alison @ cpag scotland for alerting us to this -

This investigation was conducted under section 11 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. Section 11 gives the Mental Welfare Commission (the Commission) the authority to carry out investigations and make related recommendations as it considers appropriate in a number of circumstances.

The Associate Medical Director (Mental Health) of NHS Board A wrote to the Commission to inform us that Ms DE had unexpectedly taken her own life after an assessment for continuing eligibility for welfare benefits. She had been told that she would not receive Employment and Support Allowance. He had brought this to our attention because the psychiatrists in that area felt that changes in the benefits system were having a major adverse effect on their patients. He felt that it might be helpful to look more closely into the circumstances to see whether any lessons could be learned.

We discussed this at the Commission and agreed that this was a significant case, with issues relevant to many people. Similar concerns had been raised with us by service users, carers and professionals across Scotland. We decided to undertake an investigation into the circumstances of Ms DE’s death.

http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/media/180939/who_benefits_final.pdf