Atos failed benefits claimant Larry Newman dies

[ecuworrier]

with the beeb listing as domestic news ...er norway....

and blanket coverage of norway and Amy Winehouse with a spot of Now

this is my choice of uk news :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/24/atos-case-study-larry-newman

Atos is the new franchise sponsored by our gov.. to sort out the sick from the fake... of those who appeal  39% regain their benefits on appeal....   is that about right? as a percentage of failure in the private sector?...  this has happened before ie the system cascades into a numbers game with levels of brutalisation in a system that brands vulnerable and ill people as fakers unless they can prove otherwise... and what these shifts in c-change have in common is Frank Field as advisor....  i notice that Frank Field was recently complaining about the lack of jobs in his constituency ... well he had plenty of time to do something positive... and now he can sit back and draw his salary cos he ain't gonna get no help with that

Larry Newman joked to his wife as he was in hospital about to die... it's alright lov i'm fit for work..

apparetnly Atos have apologised so that's alright then

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[EliB]

That's absolutely disgusting!!! But sadly I'm not surprised. I'm also concerned though, because I have an Atos medical appointment on 8 August! Obviousy my health issues aren't life threatening, but they ARE, very much, life affecting.

To have so many inaccuracies in the so-called health report for Mr Newman is just so wrong! How can they assess his medical situation without even examining him? And then to blatently lie on the report? Yes, they have obviously been given stats figures that they have to reach - to chop a certain percentage! Who cares if they brand genuine claimants as liars? It's only people's LIVES that they're messing around with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AndyHB]

ecu - 40% appeal success seems to be fairly typical across the board.  Apparently that or more than that are successful when appealing against speeding fines, immigration appeals and and various other situations.  The problem in a way is that good legislation is, by definition, very broad - legislation based on specific situations is usually ineffective.  As a result, individual cases rely on appeal processes - which is why such processes exist.

Clearly, this specific case is very sad and should not have happened, but it's worth pointing out that this event (March 2010) occurred before the 2010 General Election.  Like the recent situation with Bombardier and Siemans, the Atos franchise was established under the auspices of the Labour Government, so both (or should that be all 3 of) the main parties are to blame for the debacle we find ourselves in.

[EliB]

Clearly, this specific case is very sad and should not have happened, but it's worth pointing out that this event (March 2010) occurred before the 2010 General Election.  Like the recent situation with Bombardier and Siemans, the Atos franchise was established under the auspices of the Labour Government, so both (or should that be all 3 of) the main parties are to blame for the debacle we find ourselves in.

Andy, I'm personally not particularly interested in which government the Atos franchise was formed under - I'm more interested in it being operated properly - with people who actually know what they're doing and who realise that they're dealing with PEOPLE and not stats and balance sheets!!
These people close a file and that's it - while the PERSON whose file that is has to live with the "decision", which can be based on innaccuracies and inventions! WRONG!!!

[AndyHB]

Andy, I'm personally not particularly interested in which government the Atos franchise was formed under - I'm more interested in it being operated properly - with people who actually know what they're doing and who realise that they're dealing with PEOPLE and not stats and balance sheets!!
These people close a file and that's it - while the PERSON whose file that is has to live with the "decision", which can be based on innaccuracies and inventions! WRONG!!!

Eli, the reason I highlighted who the franchise was established by was in response to ecu's describing it as "... the new franchise sponsored by our gov ...", clearly an attempt (as is her wont) to blame the Coalition Government for establishing it and its remit, when it was actually established under the previous Government.

That is not to say that it oughtn't to be more efficient or manned by folk who know what they are doing.  What I don't know is whether this particular situation is a one-off or whether it is something that effectively happens across the board - does anyone know.

[ecuworrier]

EliB how did it go?


GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

[EliB]

Hi Ecu
Thanks for asking!
It was utterly humilating. My support worker from **** Crisis came with me and when we came out she said "well they only just stopped short of bright lights and thumb screws in there"!!! Just about sums it up!
I DO obviously understand why the system needs overhauling - but they really do come across as having the attitude that everyone is "at it" and they're daring you to prove otherwise!!
Being taken 2 hours after my appointment time also did wonders for the anxiety too!!!! They say I'll hear in around a month....can only wait and see....

Cheers

[ecuworrier]

Bless you EliB sounds awful!

Bless you!  hoping you ALL GOD's BESTEST!

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,