RCN to debate govts ‘appalling management of benefits’

https://www.rcn.org.uk/congress/agenda/benefits

That this meeting of Congress asks RCN Council to insist that the Government urgently reviews its appalling management of benefits.

There is widespread evidence that the Governments’ review of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and replacement with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) demonstrates a fundamental disregard for the emotional and physical needs of some of the most vulnerable individuals in society.

The revised guidance for assessment to either transfer to PIP or a new PIP application is causing unpredicted levels of stress and anxiety. Moreover, it is being reported there are many instances of these assessments ceasing or disallowing payment putting a financial burden on individuals and families with devastating impacts on quality of life which may in some instances be very limited.

The Westminster Government’s approach to this review and its enactment is a travesty. It is reported to be an administrative farce with appointment cancellations, lost applications and inaccessible buildings. There are significant concerns with the behaviour of the assessors provided by Atos and Capita. Their assessments do not appear to reflect the required knowledge and skills that would be expected to provide, empathetic, comprehensive objective assessments or understand supporting evidence from health care professionals.

On a daily basis health care providers are seeing and dealing with the harsh impacts of these reforms for individuals and their families. Nurses are now increasingly being requested to provide evidence to support individual’s applications and navigate the system. This is concerning for nurses, time is being diverted from providing direct care and the need for physical and psychological care is increasing when there is already a struggle to meet basic care needs.