Tuesday, October 11, 2005

DWP produce new draft on medical guidance

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have produced a revised draft containing their proposals for new medical guidance on ME/CFS in relation to state disability benefit (ie DLA) entitlement.

This revision is a direct result of the very strong and widespread criticism that has been made about the first draft that was presented to a meeting in June. This meeting was attended by representatives from the MEA and BRAME. Further details of the MEA response to the original draft are available on the 'News from the ME Association' blog section of the MEA website (http://www.meassociation.org.uk).

MEA trustees are currently considering our response to this latest draft. This will be presented to a further meeting at the DWP on Monday 17 October. Representatives of other national ME/CFS charities have also been invited to this meeting.

NB: It has been widely reported in the media that the DWP will shortly be announcing a range of further tough measures - including even 'lie detectors' according to a BBC radio report this morning - which are aimed at reducing the number of 'fraudulent' benefit claims, along with other measures to reduce the number of people claiming long term state sickness benefits.

Dr Charles Shepherd
Honorary Medical Adviser, MEA