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Welcome to this week's Independent Living newsletter
07.09.16 Contents:
Brexit briefing
Online benefit tribunals?
Rationing NHS services
Whisbee!
Derek's View – Respexi
Latest updates - Slow shopping; VAT rules
1. Brexit briefing

The most-read article ever on Independent Living was the one we published immediately after the surprise referendum result, looking at the risks posed by Brexit to disabled people.

Now that we have had time to adjust to the idea that life in Britain will change – albeit nobody seems sure exactly how – we have updated the article, following the publication of a House of Commons briefing paper looking at the various policy areas where Brexit negotiations could have an impact.

Read the updated article here

 

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2. Online benefit tribunals?

Last month, a report came out from the Social Security Advisory Committee, which highlighted shortcomings in the PIP and ESA decision-making processes, and the role of Mandatory Reconsiderations.

A number of rather disturbing facts emerged in the report, including what could be construed as deliberate tactics to disadvantage claimants in the appeal process. For example, a Mandatory Reconsideration is required before an appeal can be launched, but there is evidence that claimants are being discouraged from requesting one, in some cases, and are not being provided with a correctly worded Mandatory Reconsideration Notice in others.

The website Benefits and Work have also uncovered the information that the Tribunals Service is planning to allow appeal hearings to take place online over a period of weeks, rather than in person. The idea is that this will make the process more user-friendly and enable the claimant to get across all the points they wish to make, without feeling apprehensive. They won't have to travel to appear before the tribunal – though it is acknowledged that individuals may well need help to navigate the online process.

More details about this story here

 

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3. Rationing NHS services

In the last few days, there was news of a North Yorkshire CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) which had decided to delay non-urgent surgical treatments to smokers and obese people, in a bid to save money.

They have since rowed back on the decision, following strong criticism from various directions, including the Royal College of Surgeons. Ironically, it seems that it is only the money-saving motive that is causing concern: it is well-accepted that people have better outcomes from surgery if they have lost excess weight or stopped smoking beforehand. If the Vale of York CCG had reached their decision in a clinical rather than financial context, very possibly there would not have been any public airing of concern with it.

NHS Providers, the representative body for organisations providing NHS care services, believes that it is time for a national debate about what can and can't be afforded by way of healthcare, rather than leaving individual CCGs to make piecemeal decisions. What do you think? Is it ever right to ration healthcare by targeting particular groups of people? How would you go about managing limited resources? Do get in touch and let me know – all the usual ways are available! 

 

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4. Whisbee!

Last week, I promised you more information about a new adaptive sport I have come across, Whisbee, or wheelchair Frisbee.

Natasha Lawrence, a young woman with Familial Dysautonomia and scoliosis, works at the pioneering sport and leisure centre, Aspire, and came up with the idea of launching an adaptive frisbee league. Sport has never been a big passion for Natasha, but she loved the idea of doing something active and sociable. Frisbee is something that can be fun for the majority of people, and they are currently working on adapting the rules of competitive frisbee to suit the adaptive form of the game.

You can find out more here, and if you are within reach of the Aspire leisure centre, in Stanmore Middlesex, Whisbee takes place on Fridays from 12 noon to 1pm.

 

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5. Derek's View – Respexi

The editor's product focus for August was on telecare, and I was particularly taken with a case study featuring the Respexi home tablet supporting a deafblind user to live independently.

Most of us have become used to a smartphone or tablet as a portal to all sorts of wonderful and useful activities: this one is dedicated to providing simple communication and support for people who would otherwise struggle to live alone.

There are more details here

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach our site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

 

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6. Latest updates – slow shopping; VAT rules

A woman in Newcastle upon Tyne, Katherine Vero, has come up with the idea of Slow Shopping, and persuaded her local Sainsbury's supermarket to trial it. Designed to make shopping easier and more enjoyable for people with dementia or problems with mobility, Tuesday lunchtimes see the Gosforth store transformed with extra chairs and assistants to help with shopping. More details to be found here

And staying with shopping, we have had a recent flurry of enquiries about VAT exemption for disability products, so this is probably a good moment for a reminder about the rules. Essentially, if you are disabled, you can buy certain products free from VAT. The goods have to be for your own personal use, and they need to be designed solely for use by disabled people. Full details and blank claim forms can be found here

As always, there are various ways you can get in touch with Independent Living: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances

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Frances Leckie
Editor

e: editor @ independentliving.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 208 133 0628
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