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Morning Nicola Please pop my name down if not too late: James Randall-James, trainee clinical psychologist, University of Hertfordshire Thank you James On Wed, 19 Apr 2017 at 21:04, Nicola Swan < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > 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 Devon > Caz Brown, Systemic Psychotherapist, South Devon > Sammy Browne, Assistant Psychologist, Dame Hannah Rogers Trust > Kelly Camilleri, Clinical Psychologist > Jen Daffin, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Cardiff University > Dr Stacy Earl, Clinical Psychologist, Essex > Misbah Gladwyn-Khan, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, South Wales > Dani Harker, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, Leicestershire Partnership NHS > Trust, Homeless Mental Health Service > Dr 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 Devon > Dr 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 > ___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David > Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], > either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change > your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK -- *James Randall-James, * In-Training Co-Chair, Pre-Qualification Committee (DCP) - @DCPPreQual / @Randall_JAC *EMPOWERMENT. LIBERATION. HOPE.* ___________________________________ The list is jointly managed by David Fryer [log in to unmask] and Grant Jeffrey [log in to unmask], either of whom are able to deal with queries. To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK