Please add my name too.
Many thanks
Helen Combes
Helen Combes, BSc, PG Dip (CBT), MA (Ed), DClinPsy
Principal Clinical Lecturer & Deputy Programme Director
Chartered Psychologist, Registered Clincial Psychologist, BABCP Accredited Therapist.
Working hours: 9-3 pm.
Office Hour: Thursday 11.30-1.30 pm.
Room: R207, Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke on Trent.
Telephone: (01782) 295803
-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of P PRIEST
Sent: 20 April 2017 10:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Open letter re PIP - second chance! (please respond by tomorrow evening)
Hi Nikki
Pls add my name and many thanks for doing this.
Dr Penny Priest
Clinical Psychologist
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 19/4/17, Nicola Swan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Subject: Open letter re PIP - second chance! (please respond by tomorrow evening)
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wednesday, 19 April, 2017, 21:02
Dear
all,
Thank you to those who have already signed. The scheduled debate was cancelled due to the general election announcement. The Guardian letters section have responded asking me to 'tweak' the last paragraph to reflect this - so always looking for a silver lining I am taking this opportunity to try and secure more signatories before resubmitting. The Guardian have also asked me to list the 'most important' signatories first... I'm not quite sure how to go about this, but if you are feeling particularly important today let me know...
Also, please do share this with people off this list who may wish to add their support. To add your name please email:
[log in to unmask]
Many thanks,
Nikki
The 'tweaked' letter:
As
professionals working with clients considered to be experiencing severe and complex mental health difficulties, we have been informed of some concerning and frankly shocking experiences of the PIP assessment process, and seen decision reports which highlight an alarming lack of understanding of common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression, and even less understanding of difficulties related to PTSD, complex trauma and childhood adversity leading to diagnoses such as personality disorder. We have observed the PIP process to exacerbate difficulties, increase feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, shame and thoughts of suicide.
Leading to psychological therapy effectively being put on hold and the person supported through the crisis period until the process is over.
However,
restrictions on the number of sessions NHS services can offer often means a frustrating sense of sessions being lost to the PIP process. For example, it is an all too common experience that trauma-focused therapy has to be put on hold until the PIP process is complete and a sense of safety re-established. For others the PIP experience exacerbates feelings of worthlessness and undermines the validation of their needs, and the seriousness of the impact of past abuse and neglect.
In a
number of cases we have been able to assist by supporting clients to appeal their PIP decision and have had some success with this. However, this does not reconcile the fact that not only is the appeal process a stressful and often re-traumatising experience for clients, but a symptom of a process that is not fit for purpose.
As
shadow work and pensions secretary, Debbie Abrahams has stated "Instead of listening to the court's criticisms of personal independence payment assessments and correcting these injustices, the Government has instead decided to undermine the legal basis of the rulings”, this minimises the seriousness of the day to day challenges people who are experiencing mental health difficulties face.
The
debate re PIP rule changes scheduled for the 19th of April was cancelled due to the general election announcement. In the wake of this we urge the Government, and all parties, to seek appropriate consultation with service-user groups and mental health professionals regarding wider reform of the benefits system. The current system is not fit for purpose. People living with mental health difficulties are being let down – this cannot continue.
Signed
(in alphabetical order):
Scott
Bartle. Trainee Clinical Psychologist, UEL
Will Berisch-Secretan, Dramatherapist, South DevonCaz Brown, Systemic Psychotherapist, South Devon
Sammy Browne, Assistant Psychologist, Dame Hannah Rogers TrustKelly Camilleri, Clinical Psychologist
Jen Daffin, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Cardiff University
Dr Stacy Earl, Clinical Psychologist, EssexMisbah Gladwyn-Khan, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, South WalesDani Harker, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Homeless Mental Health ServiceDr Lealah Hewitt, Clinical Psychologist
Sophie Lee, Assistant Psychologist, Devon
Annie Mitchell, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor
Emily Shah, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of East London
Tim Siggs, Clinical Psychologist, Derbyshire.
Dr Nikki Swan, Clinical Psychologist, South DevonDr Lisa Thorne, Clinical & Community Psychologist
Dr
Jay
Watts, Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Alliance for Counselling and Psychotherapy, London
Dr Stephen Weatherhead, Clinical Psychologist
Joshua Williams, Assistant Psychologist
Sarah Wolfe, Clinical Psychologist in Training, University of Liverpool
Alex Young, Clinical Psychologist, NHS, Sheffield ___________________________________
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