Tag: PIP

Concerns of a Disabled OT

Concerns of a Disabled OT

by Natalie Hicks

We now have a new PM (again) and a new Chancellor in the UK. PM Sunak told us yesterday that “difficult decisions (are) to come” regarding the economy (GOV.UK, 2022a). He is promising “a stronger NHS”, and “leveling up” (GOV.UK, 2022a), with Jeremy Hunt by his side, who is well remembered as the Health Secretary for six years, under austerity. He was responsible for the biggest shake-up of the NHS in memory and drove junior doctors to strike against contractual changes in 2016, which significantly impacted healthcare (BMJ, 2018).

As a disabled adult, a final-year occupational therapy student, and parent to two disabled children, I have to admit that a return to austerity is concerning me a great deal. I remember under the years of austerity the change from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Allowance (PIP) has really prevented many disabled people from being able to claim benefits – 67% of all tribunals result in a decision being overturned, which shows that this benefit is not supporting disabled people (GOV.UK, 2022b). My eldest son is about to turn 16 and I have to apply for PIP for him. This is really making me anxious, as I felt so nervous about the PIP process, that I couldn’t bring myself to apply.

With the NHS in the mess that it is currently in, with ambulances currently being used as extra wards, as there are no beds available in the Emergency Department or the hospital proper – it is no surprise that one person has died in the back of an ambulance. What is surprising is that there have not been more deaths. The NHS needs investment, which includes pay rises for the staff. According to the Royal College of Nursing, the nursing profession is at breaking point, due to the cost of living crisis, years of austerity, no cost of living pay rises, and staff leaving in droves (Royal College of Nursing, 2022a). The survey to the members of the Royal College of Nursing reported shocking results;

  • Eight in 10 (83%) said there weren’t enough nursing staff to meet all patient needs safely and effectively on their last shift. 
  • Just a quarter (25%) of shifts had the planned number of registered nurses. 
  • Less than one in five (18%) said they had enough time to provide the level of care they’d like.

(Royal College of Nursing, 2022b).

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists, of which I am a member, is advocating for the social care sector rather than the NHS, which is also expressly in crisis. They are requesting investment in people, recruitment and retainment of staff, again requesting better pay and also career opportunities, more support for children’s services of which 85% have reported being understaffed, support people from all backgrounds to become health professionals and tackle health inequalities – and they mention the delayed white paper (Royal College of Occupational Therapists, 2022).

This is the current health of the NHS and social care, prior to the ‘new’ Conservative government’s round of cuts in austerity mark II. I feel we have a lot to be afraid of as a nation.

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