oddtablet Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Having signed a lot of these on-line petitions, I know your lack of optimism is not misplaced, they NEVER (unfortunately) achieve anything. I have to disagree... 1. remember Save the local Coastguard Station campaign 2. remember Save the local Pension Service staff campaign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifi Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Aboutus/News/Latest_News/DWPproposestoforcechemotherapypatientstoundergostressfulbenefitchecks.aspx“Cancer patients in the middle of treatment are, in many cases, fighting for their lives.." (snipped) There's a e-petition here http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=70&ea.campaign.id=12513Well done for highlighting this MJ. I've signed and will pass it on. While some people are able to (often with flexible and understanding employers) and want to continue working through all or part of their chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for some semblance of normality in difficult times, many aren't. It's life-saving, serious treatment with numerous and often debilitating side-effects. Not only are some people suffering the side effects of treatment, but they could also be suffering pain, weakness, fatigue etc etc from the actual cancer itself. Unfortunately some of these people are terminally ill. The thought of inflicting these tests on someone going through what is probably the most stressful time of their life, when they are physically unable for work, leaves me speechless. The last thing people going through cancer treatment need is financial worries and Macmillan offer practical help and advice on this as well as all their other services. Can I just mention the three wonderful Macmillan nurses based at Ward 3 of the Gilbert Bain and the Macmillan services in general. Ever since I first contacted them earlier this year, they have been fantastic. It's something you can do yourself as a patient, if you want their help and support - it's not compulsory. Not everyone chooses to use the services Macmillan offers but I'd thoroughly recommend them. I used to think that Macmillan nurses were only for terminally ill cancer patients but that's not the case. The Shetland Macmillan nurses can administer some types of chemo locally in the Gilbert Bain (mine had a short shelf life and had to be made up while I was down for my three-weekly visits to the ARI) and have practical, current specialist knowledge that your GP doesn't necessarily have. When I was about to start chemo, they offered me the chance to go in to their room near Ward 3 to have a chat and a cuppa and they answered all my questions very thoroughly and put my mind at rest. As soon as you contact them, you get their contact details and you're able to phone them at any time for advice, a chat or whatever. They work closely with the Gilbert Bain and ARI and can liaise between consultants, GPs, etc for you. They can even book your travel up and down to Aberdeen for you. They made the last year so much easier for me for which I'm hugely grateful. To end on a happy note, after first going to my GP over a year ago, I finished my radiotherapy and treatment generally about 7 weeks ago and am steadily improving and my hair's growing!! I had my first consultant's appointment post-treatment recently and I was delighted when she said that it was all looking good now and for the future. You don't get any guarantees with this sort of thing but my husband and I floated out of that consulting room and celebrated that night. I've met lots of people at CLAN, in Aberdeen and locally, and I'm very aware that not everyone has had as positive news as me and I'm very grateful for my treatment and for my health. Our sons are coming home soon and we'll be having an extra special Christmas this year. Talking of Christmas, when sending out Christmas cards last year, I told the recipients that I wouldn't being sending cards the following year but would be giving a donation to cancer and Alzheimers charities. (My mother and father-in-law died of cancer and my sister has early onset Alzheimers.) Little did I know at that time that I would be using cancer services myself so quickly. Something to consider - you could do the same and donate to CLAN Shetland or CLAN Aberdeen, Macmillan Shetland or its national counterpart, the various cancer charities or any charity of your choosing. Happy Christmas and a healthy 2012. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlady Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 Signed. And it's great to know you're on the up Fifi. Congratulations xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piddly Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 Thanks for sharing Fifi, hope you have many more happy xmas's with your family. Signed and shared on Facebook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyboy Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Petition signed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifi Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 And it's great to know you're on the up Fifi. Congratulations xxThanks for sharing Fifi, hope you have many more happy xmas's with your family.Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubdub Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Signed. Also posted links else where. From a Cancer patient, still having follow ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattie Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2071002/Chemotherapy-proposals-Seriously-ill-cancer-patients-face-work-tests-benefits-removed.html#addComment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArabiaTerra Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Signed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Not that it's going to make a difference but http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16523649Labour and independent peers, and some Lib Dems, voted down restrictions on benefits for cancer patients and young disabled people. Employment minister Chris Grayling said the welfare state would support those in "genuine need" but "tough decisions" had to be taken to tackle the deficit. Labour said ministers had crossed "the basic line of British decency". "For months Labour has been determined to stop this cruel attack on cancer patients in its tracks. And the House of Lords agreed," he said. "The government's proposal to cut paid-for benefits for people still in chemotherapy crosses the basic test of fairness." pity it looks like it's still happening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 There is a huge campaign on at the moment, I don't know if you are aware of the "Diary of a Benefit Scrounger" blog, it has much to do with the current online campaign. Between al the contributors they funded, researched and published a report against the facts the ConDemNation were using to justify the disabled bailing out the system. You can find it here----------> http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/files/response_to_proposed_dla_reforms.pdf The other upsetting thing is 5 DimDem Lords voted for it to go through, about 40 abstained and another 40 odd voted against it. If you use twitter, you can find articles and links with the hashtag #spartacusreport Sue Marsh, who got all this together along with help from all over the country has a disability herself, this report is a testimony to the determination of folk not to see other folk suffer any more hardship than they do already. At least take the time to read it and pass it on. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubdub Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 @Shetland peat. Will look. Thanks for the link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Para Handy Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 There will be no one unfit for work the people who do the medical won’t get paid if they find anyone sick That big imbecile Ian Duncan Smith will see to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 It is still not over. The ConDemNation is considering forcing through the bill using financial privilege. This means the Lords cannot vote on it and the ConDemNation wins. They would need approval of the Speaker to do this. Slightly underhand. It removes the system designed to protect folk long enough for their wants to be realised.If anyone has a relative who is recovering from cancer, dealing with the after effects of a stroke, had children that need help and require carers you need to make your voice known. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted March 24, 2012 Report Share Posted March 24, 2012 It seems that Scottish Doctors are not happy with what is going on. They call for an end to the Fit for Work tests carried out by the French I.T. company ATOS. Item 60. The whole document is interesting reading. http://www.bma.org.uk/images/slmc2011agenda_tcm41-212139.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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