A Letter To The Times

A letter written by a Proventus trustee in response to a report on disability benefit reform.

To : The Editor, The Times.

Dear Sir,

               I was dismayed to read the report on ‘benefits reform’ (Sat. Times pp28) and how it is being conducted in the Burnley pilot area. While it is vital to expose the benefit cheats in our society, it is equally vital to show the greatest respect to those suffering from such debilitating and life-shortening diseases as MS.

    David Sanderson’s report begs the question as to who these “healthcare professionals” are. Are   these examining officers expert enough to understand the full details of how MS affects the human body? There are up to seven types of MS and range from relapsing-remitting to malignant in aspect. Dutch research, about three years ago, confirmed that stress exacerbates MS, often permanently, and the way in which Ann Phillips was treated is nothing short of disgraceful.

    Appoint expert medics to the investigating panels and similar judges to hear the appeals or the health problems of genuine sufferers will only be compounded, and creating extra expense over increased care costs in the community.

         Yours sincerely,

John Slack, Chair of Trustees for Proventus (a neurological & auto-immune disease charity)

This letter has not been published & we have yet to get a response from the Times.