Work Capability Assessment independent reviews | meeting with Dr Paul Litchfield | 6 August 2013

MAY BE REPOSTED

I will be meeting Dr Paul Litchfield – the occupational health physician who has taken over the role of independent asessment of the Work Capability Assessment from Professor Malcom Harrington – along with other members of the Fluctating Conditions Group at DWP HQ on Tuesday afternoon this coming week

The agenda will focus on:

* How effectively the WCA identifies people who are fit for work, who have limited capability for work, or who have limited capability for work-related activity;

* The impact of earlier Independent Reviews;

* The way mental health conditions are considered in the WCA;

* Biopsychosocial factors that influence capability for work; and

* Whether the system needs improving and what changes are required.

Issues relating to DWP benefits are of major importance to people with ME/CFS. So if anyone has any comments or observations please post them here, or contact me directly via ME Connect (meconnect@meassociation.org.uk) if more appropriate.

Thank you

Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, ME Association