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Wes Streeting's move against autism - NAS - time to step up

mrs.snooks

I'm aware that this discussion may get a little heated, but I hope that it stays away from getting too much so. I do not mean to cause offense or lead to any arguments. So here goes.

I woke up to this morning's headlines: 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is to launch an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services in England.

I haven't added the link to the article as I know this will trigger a delay to having this posted. But I'm thinking you will have seen this this morning. 

I am so angry on so many levels. And I am hoping that the NAS is angry too and can respond to his move with a firm and robust response. Because.

Now, I am going to call it out. Mr Streeting, I think that this is what I would be calling: Discrimination. Discrimination with a big, fat capital D. Discrimination against a marginalised group. A vulnerable group. That deserves your protection and that you should have our back. As the HEALTH secretary. Shame on you. Shame on you.

I may not respond to any responses to my thread, if it gets too heated. And I am happy for the thread to get locked or removed.

It's time to Step Up.

Parents

  • Lets have some numbers.

    The benefits bill is not sustainable, so either it has to be cut for everyone or it has to get more selective.

    1 in 10 working age people get disability or incapacity benefits, having risen by around a third in 6 years, and over 60% in the last 22 years.

    44% are for mental health or behavioural issues.

    75.1% of the working age population work (people aged 16-64), which is 34.22 million, or 49%.

    So each working person is feeding, housing, 2 people.

    Also 53.3% of the population costs more than they put in. 

    60% of all personal tax comes from 10% of the population, some of whom are leaving.

    One of the papers the other day pointed out that for a couple with 3 children living on benefits, they would have to earn £71,000 between the to be worth working. This is unreasonable.

    Motability is the biggest provider of cars now I believe, including providing luxury cars with tax payer subsidies, although this is now being stopped.

    I would stake all my savings on there being corruption too.

    This does not not mean I am against help for those that need it.

    For those on work, if you are out for more than 3 months I think for a mental health issues, the chances of working again drop. I sone European countries intervention is much quicker and people stay in work.

    Children are not served by waiting years for a diagnosis.

    An investigation, based on data, is a good thing to find out what is going on. If more resources are needed to enable more people to be productive, that is a good thing and is brings the cost down and allows those who need help to be supported without cuts.

    The most common reason for a sickness claim has become ASD and ADHD apparently.

    I do not believe, neither did my consultant, that some of the online diagnosis places that charge little and do it in one phone call can be doing a thorough or reliable job. You would have to be naive to think no-one is gaming the system. This helps nobody. I have sone other suspicions, but I can't substantiate them so will not say anything.

    So in summary, to block any investigation is to block improvement in access and will result in a reduction in money per person.

    If everything is above board, then it will have to lead to more accommodation and help to get people into work. Which many would consider a good thing too.

  • in reply to Stuart333

    And incidentally I have two adult autistic children - one works very hard (on a PHD for not much money) and other simply cannot currently work because his struggles are profound (for example he has selective mutism and cannot talk to people). My eldest’s girlfriend worked very hard at Uni and got an MA - and she’s been trying to find a job for months. So where are all these employers that are going to employ people with significant disabilities and mental health problems? So your answer is what: condemn mentally ill people to live in abject poverty and probably end up on the streets because no landlord will touch them? My son needed £2400 deposit just to get a very small attic flat for him and his girlfriend. We have to ask ourselves what kind of society we want to be. When I’m in the Cotswolds occasionally the car parks are full of Range Rovers, Jaguars, BMWs, and the countryside round there is littered with exclusive member only luxury hotels. Don’t tell me this country is on its knees and we can’t afford to support the most vulnerable - because it’s just not true. 

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  • in reply to Stuart333

    And incidentally I have two adult autistic children - one works very hard (on a PHD for not much money) and other simply cannot currently work because his struggles are profound (for example he has selective mutism and cannot talk to people). My eldest’s girlfriend worked very hard at Uni and got an MA - and she’s been trying to find a job for months. So where are all these employers that are going to employ people with significant disabilities and mental health problems? So your answer is what: condemn mentally ill people to live in abject poverty and probably end up on the streets because no landlord will touch them? My son needed £2400 deposit just to get a very small attic flat for him and his girlfriend. We have to ask ourselves what kind of society we want to be. When I’m in the Cotswolds occasionally the car parks are full of Range Rovers, Jaguars, BMWs, and the countryside round there is littered with exclusive member only luxury hotels. Don’t tell me this country is on its knees and we can’t afford to support the most vulnerable - because it’s just not true. 

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