- In his report, the first doctor
- lists various serious health issues:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
- cervical spondylosis,
- osteoarthritis.
- In his summary, the doctor stated:
- ‘My patient will be in pain
- on standing and
- at the commencement
- of walking. Whilst
- on the balance of probability
- he would be able to walk
- 20 metres in my opinion
- he could not walk that distance
- without pain
- or exhaustion.
- In terms of cooking
- his very limited respiratory tolerance
- and his difficulties with lifting means that
- anything
- other than
- straightforward microwave cooking
- is likely to be beyond
- his capabilities.
- It would be reasonable
- to describe him
- as requiring assistance with toilet needs;
- the need to monitor and change his catheter
- requires medical input.’
- Despite this
- the Department
- continued to find him fit for work
- and blocked him from receiving full benefits.
- Three months later
- another doctor wrote:
- ‘I am this patient’s General Medical Practitioner
- and the custodian
- of the primary medical records
- they have accumulated
- during their lifetime in the UK.
- Following a recent assessment this patient,
- in contradiction of my own knowledge over time
- clinical assessment and
- medical certification,
- was found fit for work.
- Because of my patient’s health condition
- there would be a substantial risk
- to his health
- if he were found not to have
- limited capability
- for work related activity.
- I disagree
- with the outcome of your assessment
- and support my patient
- in his appeal
- against your decision.’
- Despite this
- the Department continued to deny him
- benefits.
- His health – as predicted – deteriorated badly.
- He developed pneumonia.
- His weight dropped to six stone
- (38 kilos).
- Twelve months later
- he left hospital
- in an emaciated state
- to take on the Department
- at a tribunal.
- The decision was overturned.
- The Department agreed to backpay
- four thousand pounds.
- That money is now being used
- to pay for his funeral.
[Liverpool Echo, 28/04/2019, Revealed: Warnings about dying Stephen Smith that were cruelly ignored by the DWP]