100 signatures reached
To: Iain Duncan Smith - Secretary of State for Work & Pensions
Let Doctors decide those who need ESA/Sick Benefits
At the moment, If you claim such as ESA you eventually have to have an assessment. This is usually by ATOS. And usually someone who isn't a qualified doctor or qualified at all in some cases. This petition is to ask David Cameron to look at the way the assessments are done. And to let Doctors and GPs decide who is and isn't fit enough to work. Surely a doctor who knows you or who knows whats wrong with you is more than qualified to decide this. Not someone you just met that hasn't even got a medical degree.
Why is this important?
Like many people I have found myself on the receiving end of ATOS deciding I am fit to work. Despite my GP sending me to the assessment with a supporting letter. My GP knows I am not fit enough to work. And there are thousands of people out there who are the same. Forcing people into situations that they can't cope with will cause more deaths, more illnesses and cost the NHS more in the long run. It's. It through choice I don't work. I am a qualified teacher. And shortly after qualifying was told by a school they didn't think I was capable of 'keeping up'. My health drastically deteriorated and now I can't work. Yet ATOS seem to think me and thousands of others out there are able to work..... and work any job. The whole system needs looking at and revising. How many people need to die before something is done about this.
