The work capability assessment (WCA) causes relapses in patients with severe mental health conditions according to a senior consultant psychiatrist, the Guardian has reported.{jcomments on}
Dr Jed Boardman, a consultant psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS trust, told the Guardian that:
“People with severe long-term problems get very distressed about being assessed, probably because mistakes are made, because the process isn’t perfect, because they don’t feel they are being listened to in their interviews.
“You do see people relapsing as a consequence of getting distressed.”
Dr Boardman argued that the WCA fails to take account of the fluctuating nature of many people’s conditions and ignores the fact that many people play down their symptoms rather than trying to exaggerate them.
