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WCA may have had serious consequences for mental health
Research links additional 590 suicides and 725,000 antidepressant prescriptions over three years to impact of work capability assessment
http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2015/10/26/jech-2015-206209
Response from Work and Pensions Minister Priti Patel:
The Department will study the report. However, as the authors make clear, their report does not show a causal link between the Incapacity Benefit reassessment process and rates of suicide, mental ill-health or use of anti-depressants.
DWP missed opportunity to further assess mental health of ESA claimant who subsequently committed suicide and should apologise, says ombudsman -
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/03/dwp-apologise-linda-cooksey-tim-salter-benefits-cut
[ Edited: 4 Dec 2015 at 09:52 am by Daphne ]This article reminds me of an important point. ATOS only obtained further medical evidence where there was a PV marker on the file. To ensure that that practice does not continue I habitually request a copy of the ESA55 in any cases where they are mandated to obtain med ev; Maximus seem much better at getting it than ATOS were.