Pain of work capacity assessment

摘要

I was pleased and inspired to read Dr Hayley Entwistle's letter ('Softening the impact of welfare change', September 2013). I read with interest previous letters on the subject of the welfare changes and how they impact our client groups (e.g. 'Can we be lobbyists for social change?' from Jade Weston and Nic Horley April 2013). Like others, I believe that we should use our influence as health professionals to advocate for our clients. This is not to deny the point made in another letter that in some cases we see clients who twist the system to their own advantage ('Lobbying for social change', May 2013, name and address supplied). However, to get too much into this debate blurs the main issue, which is not about whether any one individual deserves welfare support but rather whether the system allows a fair assessment of their situation.