Universal Credit workers have been visiting sick patients in hospital to check they are actually unwell, a damning new review into the roll-out of the welfare system has revealed.
Department for Work and Pensions chiefs were found to be interviewing people awaiting NHS treatment to ensure they were on the right money and not abusing the system.
The practice has been condemned as ‘grotesque’ by a council scrutiny panel in London, where it has emerged hospitalised Universal Credit claimants have received shock visits from the welfare state police.
In one instance, DWP officers visited a person in hospital awaiting an operation because they had missed an appointment.
The behaviour was uncovered as part of a review by Islington’s Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee, which has been tracking the full rollout of Universal Credit in Islington since June, reports the Islington Gazette.
Outraged members have called for an immediate clampdown.
“When people are in hospital they are not there to be chased and it’s not for the DWP to guess or validate if they are well or unwell,” Councillor Troy Gallagher said.
“I think it’s callous.
“It’s an issue they need to amend quickly because it’s highly stressful and deeply upsetting.”
The visits – which the DWP say are carried out routinely to confirm people’s details – were labelled ‘grotesque’ and ‘unbelievable’.
“If someone says they’re unwell, whatever the reason is, you should always accept that,” Cllr Gallagher said.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Jobcentre staff occasionally conduct hospital visits to confirm people’s bank account or rent details. This ensures we can pay their full benefits on time.”
They added that visits to claimants homes will be made “if necessary”.
Same Difference 
The idea they are visiting to check claimant’s details rings hollow. If they are claimants the DWP will already have their details.
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WTF is the NHS doing ALLOWING that to happen?
from here –
https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/health/dwp-blasted-for-grotesque-hospital-visits-in-islington-1-5910490
Care Act 2014 –
Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse or neglect –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/section/42/enacted
Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 –
Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care worker offence –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/2/section/20/enacted
Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care provider offence –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/2/section/21/enacted
Protection from Harassment Act 1997
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/contents
Equality Act 2010
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Especially sections 26. Harassment. and 27. Victimisation.
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 –
Witness Intimidation –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/51
Misconduct in Public Office –
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/misconduct_in_public_office/
“Examples of behaviour that have in the past fallen within the offence include:
wilful excesses of official authority;
‘malicious’ exercises of official authority;
wilful neglect of a public duty;
intentional infliction of bodily harm, imprisonment, or other injury upon a person;
frauds and deceits.”
“It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.”
–
Islington’s Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee’s vice chair –
Cllr Troy Gallagher – On Jeremy Corbyns Left –
So where are that nonces SOCIAL SERVICES??? and Police???
Why hasn’t Cllr Troy Gallagher DONE IT’S JOB?
Islington Council Adult abuse or neglect –
https://www.islington.gov.uk/social-care-health/adult-abuse-or-neglect
“Who we safeguard –
We safeguard adults who are in need of care and support (whether or not those needs are being met) and who are less able to protect themselves because of those needs. This may be because of their mental health, physical disability, age or illness.”
Yeah.
–
Here’s why that BSing nonce won’t do it’s job…
Cllr Troy Gallagher –
https://democracy.islington.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=41
Register of interests – Councillor Troy Gallagher –
https://democracy.islington.gov.uk/mgDeclarationSubmission.aspx?UID=41&HID=234&FID=0&HPID=510774401
1. Please state your employment or business carried out or any Partnerships or Directorships held by you or a relevant person?
Nature of employment activity – HR Business Partner
Name of employer or body and position held – (David Gaukes) Ministry of Justice
KERCHINGGGG
8. Do you hold membership of Trade Unions or Professional Associations?
Name of Body – (THE DWPs) PCS Trade Union
Also –
5. Do you or a relevant person have land or property in Islington?
Nature of Interest in Land – Tenant of LBI Property
It’s blagging a Council House.
“This is a Sensitive Interest, the details of which are withheld under Section 32 of the Localism Act 2011.”
Localism Act 2011 – Section 32 –
“could lead to the member or co-opted member, or a person connected with the member or co-opted member, being subject to violence or intimidation.”
It doesn’t want the Police knowing where it lives.
–
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Hasn’t the Total Scumbag Local MP done anything???
It must be one of those vile, hate criminal, abusing, murdering TORY Nonces, Right?
Yup
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aktion t4
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hope theres a bed for the one who visits me as and wen ?????
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Shoot them with a camera 🙂
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No decent nurse would allow them access
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So what has happened to the scumbag nurses (etc.) who *Have* allowed them access?
Where are the NMC / GMC / EHRC?
Where are Social Services?
Where are The Police?
Is that no-nothing rat of a local MP going to START DOING IT’S JOB?
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