Ponderings of a lonely Valleys Case Worker

Afternoon All,

Not wishing to tempt fate at all but - Anyone else noticed a drop off in Tribunal listings since August/September? And seem to be getting fewer ‘Open Door’ drop-in clients over the last couple of months.

Have had Tribunal members comment that they are not getting listings at any where near the rate - prior to September had at least 4/5 hearings listed per month and up to 18/20 per month.

Down to Manditory Recon? - or has Capita/Atos imploded?

Just an early Friday muse?

TTFN

Neil

I went to TUG meeting last week and they confirmed the amount of appeals they are receiving has gone down.

However they predict this is a temporary lull and numbers will increase as MR cases filter through the system.

The jury is out as to whether the MR procedure will have its desired effect of reducing workload on HMC&TS; in the long term.

Hi Steve,

Got a TUG meeting due next month “If there are enough interesting topics for the agenda…”, this will (if it goes ahead) be the first one since August 2012 _ clearly nothing sufficiently interesting been happening!

Whilst the lull has been welcome the aftermath is a worry. Been getting the first batch of MR decisions through standard responce even with in at least one case a GP letter setting out exactly which descriptors the GP believed were applicable has been - the original decision was based on clinical observations, evidence of the ESA50 and the responce given at the assessment - and therefore no evidence on which to base a change. Oh and for good measure the quoting of guidance as if handed down from upon high.

Neil