A safeguarding adults review into the death of Philippa Day in October 2019 describes how the actions of the DWP and Capita had a “profound impact” on the 27 year-old from Nottingham.
She received a high level of support from her family, and from local agencies, but the “stress” she experienced over her finances became “magnified” after she claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The review builds on evidence heard at an inquest into Philippa’s death, which found in January 2021 that flaws in the disability benefits system were “the predominant factor and the only acute factor” that led to her taking her own life, and highlighted 28 separate “problems” with the administration of the PIP system.
Philippa was described by her family as a “vibrant, bubbly person who once met, would not be forgotten”, and someone who was caring and had a “deep love” for her child.
She had a diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder, as well as type one diabetes, had a long history of self-harm and suicidal behaviours, and used substances and alcohol as an unsuccessful coping mechanism.
She had high levels of anxiety and agoraphobia and could become quickly overwhelmed by day-to-day stresses of life.
The safeguarding review, commissioned by Nottingham City Safeguarding Adults Board, says that the interactions that Philippa had with the DWP and Capita as she tried to move from DLA to PIP had had a “profound impact” on her.
It highlights the stress caused by the high interest loans she had to take out when the DWP stopped her DLA claim because the completed PIP form she posted went missing, and says it “significantly increased her episodes of self-harm and the risk of suicide”.
After her DLA award was eventually reinstated and backdated, Capita then insisted that Philippa had to attend a face-to-face appointment at one of its PIP assessment centres, even though it had access to substantial evidence of her mental distress and her need to be assessed at her home in Nottingham.
The review points to Philippa’s “sense of impotency that she could not affect change and that her mental distress was not recognised” and the “debilitating anxiety at the prospect of leaving her house to be assessed by unfamiliar professionals but untenable consequences if she declined”.
The DWP recognised that it “may not have considered the impact of [Philippa’s] disability on her ability to engage with the assessment process”, says the review, which was delayed by legal action and the pandemic.
The review repeats a key recommendation from the recent Errol Graham safeguarding review, calling on the DWP to work with the national network of safeguarding adults boards to produce a “protocol” that would ensure they alert each other to relevant cases.
For more information see Disabled mum took her own life after actions of DWP and Capita ‘magnified’ anxiety available at http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com.
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