‘Capita’s treatment of the disabled and vulnerable appalling’ – Newry MLA

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty has branded the treatment of the disabled and the vulnerable by private health assessor Capita as appalling.

Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty explained, “We have heard many stories in the media where those with disabilities and in receipt of Disability Living Allowance have lost their benefit when migrating across to Personal Independence Payments.

“These people haven’t been miraculously cured, with some of them struggling with debilitating disabilities for many years, with their conditions often deteriorating.

“The entire benefits process can be very stressful for those involved. If they have been in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and have been called to apply for the Personal Independence Payment the uncertainty can cause great anxiety especially when they hear of other people’s experiences at the hands of Capita who are responsible for the assessments.

“In recent weeks I have been involved in quite a number of cases and the experiences of many of those involved are harrowing. One housebound constituent was called to an appointment in Newry despite requesting a home visit and it took an almighty fight to explain the circumstances of the constituent’s health.

“This week one constituent, who had a home visit arranged had it cancelled just fifteen minutes before the assessor was due to arrive. The treatment of the disabled and vulnerable by capita is unforgivable,” he insisted.

“I have yet to meet someone applying for Personal Independence Payments who have had a good experience at the hands of Capita. It is harrowing enough for those with a disability to have to go through the new assessment process without the anxiety and fear of what faces them at the hands of Capita.

McNulty added, “This needs to change. I have raised my concerns with the Department of Communities this week and is something I will continue to follow up in the time ahead.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on May 14 2018. Filed under Community, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry