M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) affects an estimated 250,000 men, women and children in the UK. Symptoms can include post-exertional malaise (a period of intense exhaustion that lasts for more than 24 hours following exertion) and chronic pain. M.E. affects different people in different ways and symptoms can fluctuate and change over time.
Action for M.E. has today published its response to the 4th independent review of the WCA led by Dr.Paul Litchfield.
Among the key points made in its response are that –
- the WCA is still failing to correctly identify which people with M.E., and is still not able to accurately assess fluctuating conditions;
- healthcare professionals who carry out face-to-face assessments should receive specialist training about fluctuating conditions, developed in consultation with organisations that support people with M.E.;
- supporting medical evidence provided by claimants’ GPs and consultants is not always being taken into account, despite this being recommended as a result of an earlier WCA review;
- due consideration is not always given to all factors that influence a claimant’s capability for work, with some conditions being ignored in favour of others;
- assessors are still making assumptions about claimants' condition based on observations, without asking specific questions;
- people with M.E. find letters from the DWP hard to understand, causing lots of extra work for the claimant and the DWP; and
- people with M.E. find the WCA process, including filling in the ESA50 form, attending face-to-face assessments and appealing against decisions, extremely detrimental to their health.
The Action for M.E. response to the 4th independent review of the WCA is available @ http://www.actionforme.org.uk/Resources/Action%20for%20ME/Documents/get-...
Dr Litchfield’s is expected to publish his independent review of the WCA towards the end of this year.
Action for M.E. is an organisation led by people with M.E. for people with M.E. Its mission is empowering people with M.E. to fulfil their potential and secure the care and support they need, while working towards a greater understanding of the illness and ultimately a cure.
Further information about Action for M.E. and its work are available @ http://www.actionforme.org.uk/