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Budget announces DLA reform

Budget announces DLA reform

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2V4

Update:

Guardian  |  Comment is free  |  Anne Wollenberg  |  23 June 2010

Disability allowance exists for a reason

“The disability living allowance is not an unemployment benefit. Why target it to ‘reduce dependency and promote work’?”

There is a comment section, read full article here

 

Action for M.E.  |  22 June 2010

Budget 2010

Today’s budget announces DLA reform

Chancellor George Osborne’s first Budget has set out a five-year plan for the British economy.

Plans for spending reductions of £32 billion per year by 2014-15 include £11 billion of welfare reform savings, a two year freeze in public sector pay for those earning over £21,000 a year and an increase in the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 20 per cent.

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/junebudget_documents.htm

As part of the welfare reform measures, which will affect tax credits, housing benefit and disability benefits, the Treasury says: “The Government will reform the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to ensure support is targeted on those with the highest medical need. The Government will introduce the use of objective medical assessments for all DLA claimants from 2013-14 to ensure payments are only made for as long as a claimant needs them.”

Action for M.E. will be responding to the budget shortly, so tell us: how will it impact on you, as a person with M.E. or their carer?

E-mail our Policy Officer, Tristana Rodriguez at tristana.rodriguez@afme.org.uk or our InterAction team at interaction@afme.org.uk  with your views.

Inaugural meeting of the APPG for ME: Wednesday 30th June

Inaugural meeting of the APPG for ME: Wednesday 30th June

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2UL

Update: On Friday, 25 June, the ME Association announced a change of date.  Please note that the APPG on ME inaugural meeting is now scheduled for Wednesday, 7 July.

Change of date for APPG on ME reformation meeting – now July 7

“Unfortunately, the Westminster meeting to reform the All Party Parliamentary Group on ME has had to be moved forward a week – to Wednesday, July 7. On the bright side, this does mean that there is more time to encourage your own MP to attend.”

Action for M.E. and the ME Association have published the following information:

Help make sure the All-Party Parliamentary Group for ME reforms

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

The All Party Parliamentary Group for M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) strives to support the improvement of health and social care of all people with M.E. in the UK. All APPGs were dissolved at the end of the last Parliament before the general election. Arrangements are being made to re-register this group as a matter of urgency.

An inaugural meeting of the APPG for ME will be held by David Amess MP on Wednesday 30th June, at Westminster.

The agenda will deal with appointment of office holders and members only and due to limitations of time and space it will not be possible to open the meeting to the public on this occasion. This is in order to ensure that the vital work required to re-register the APPG is carried out in a timely manner for the 13th July deadline.

It is vital that as many MPs as possible join the group as we need to identify at least 20 Parliamentarians to act as qualifying members. These must include at least ten who are not part of the government and of which at least six are members of the main opposition party i.e. Labour.

If you would like to help please send your local MP an email or letter asking them to join the APPG. There is a draft letter here to help get you started.

Open Word document here on ME Agenda: Example letter

or here on the ME Association’s website or here on Action for M.E.’s website

Dear __________________

As one of your constituents, I sincerely hope you will strongly support the interests of people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), the long-term fluctuating illness also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), which is sometimes diagnosed as Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS).

M.E. affects 250,000 people in the UK and is recognised by the NHS and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to be as disabling as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure, and other chronic conditions yet it receives nowhere near the same degree of recognition or funding.

A very powerful way of demonstrating this to your constituents would be to join the All Party Parliamentary Group for M.E. and to help it to re-register in the new Parliament.

An inaugural election of officers at a meeting of the APPG for M.E. to be held by David Amess MP on Wednesday 30th June. This will not be a long affair but is a necessary preliminary to re-registration before the 13 July deadline.

I do hope that you will be able to attend but if this is not possible, could you please join the group anyway. We need to identify at least 20 Parliamentarians to act as “qualifying members” in order to remain on the approved list.

Yours sincerely

 

Ed: Note that this meeting is not a public meeting and the room number and time are not being publicised. If your MP expresses an interest in attending the inaugural meeting you may need to contact Action for ME’s Policy Officer, Tristana Rodriguez (tristana.rodriguez@afme.org.uk) and ask for details of the meeting to be forwarded directly to your MP.  Alternatively, refer your MP to David Amess, MP, outgoing APPG for ME Treasurer, who is convening this inaugural meeting.

Minutes of previous APPG for ME Meetings and Legacy document

The APPG for ME website has PDF copies of Minutes of meetings going back to 31 January 2001 collated at: http://www.appgme.org.uk/minutes/mintues.html

APPG Legacy Paper 26.02.10

 

Clarification regarding membership of the APPG for ME

There have been misunderstandings on some forums that AfME (Action for M.E.), the MEA (The ME Association), AYME (Association of Young People with ME), TYMES Trust (The Young ME Sufferers Trust), The 25% ME Group, ME Research UK, BRAME (Blue Ribbon for Awareness of ME) and RiME (Campaigning for Research into ME) are all members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for ME.

None of the above are members of the APPG on ME.

In the case of Associate Parliamentary groups, applications for membership may be considered by the group’s officers from organisations, interest groups, commercial concerns and individuals other than MPs or Members of the House of Lords.

But the All-Party Parliamentary Group for ME is not constituted as an Associate Parliamentary Group and therefore only Members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords are permitted membership of the APPG for ME, and only Members of the House of Commons or Lords have voting rights at its meetings.

So the only members of the APPG for ME are parliamentarians.

From the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner:

“Groups are only required to register with us the names of their officers and of 20 ‘qualifying members’. The full membership list, including names over and above that, resides with the group and it is for them to ensure that it is comprehensive and up to date. [...] Any MP (ie not just signed up members of the group) is entitled to turn up at any meeting of the group, and to speak and vote at the meeting – unless a subscription is charged in which case voting may be restricted to paid-up members of the group.”

At the time of publication, the House of Commons Session 2009-10, Register of All-Party Groups [As at 12 April 2010] can be accessed here:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/memi01.htm

INTRODUCTION

The Nature of All-Party Groups
Purpose and Form of the ‘Register of All-Party Groups’
Purpose and Form of the ‘Approved List’ of Groups
Administration of the Register and Approved List

At the time of publication, the Registry entry for the outgoing APPG for ME group could be viewed here:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/memi422.htm

Under “BENEFITS RECEIVED BY GROUP FROM SOURCES OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT” Action for M.E. and the ME Association are listed as jointly providing the secretariat to the Group.

“Action for ME and The ME Association both provides secretarial support (addressing and stuffing envelopes, taking minutes, photocopying).”

In the past, AfME and the MEA have alternated the task of minute taking and the preparation and circulation of minutes and agendas for these meetings but they are not members of the APPG Group and their status as organisations and that of their representatives in relation to the Group is no different to that of any other organisation that sends a representative to attend these meetings.

Although APPG groups are not permitted to advertise their meetings as “Public Meetings”, meetings of the APPG on ME are held in House of Commons committee rooms and have been opened up to members of the public, that is, national ME patient organisations, representatives of the committees of “local” and regional ME support groups and other interested parties. 

They are also open to members of the ME community and their carers, who can and do regularly attend and contribute to these meetings. This has not always been the case and the presence of members of the public is at the discretion of the APPG chair and committee.

So none of the following five national registered membership ME patient organisations are members of the APPG for ME but they attend APPG meetings, send their representives to meetings, and in the case of AfME and the MEA, have provide the secretariat function: AfME (Action for M.E.), the MEA (The ME Association), AYME (Association of Young People with ME), TYMES Trust (The Young ME Sufferers Trust), The 25% ME Group.

ME Research UK : a research organisation and registered charity (Scotland), represented at APPG on ME meetings by Mrs Sue Waddle, a former trustee of Invest in ME.

BRAME : unregistered, non membership, run by Christine Harrison and her daughter, Tanya. Both Christine and Tanya attend APPG on ME meetings.

RiME : unregistered, non membership, run by Paul Davies. Paul Davies attends APPG on ME meetings, sometimes supported by other individuals.

The names of ME patients and carers attending meetings are recorded in the minutes of meetings and their contributions to these meetings are minuted.

For the past couple of meetings, an official verbatim transcript has been prepared from an audio recording of the procedings and this has been published alongside briefer minutes. This parliamentary service has been funded by Action for M.E. and the ME Association.

It is not known whether transcripts will continue to be provided for the meetings of any new group that may be convened. It is unconfirmed whether minutes will be published for the inaugural meeting or whether representatives of the outgoing group’s secretariat will be present.

I hope this clarifies any misconceptions about policy and proceedings at these meetings and the status of the organisations and individuals who attend them.

A Guide to the Rules on All Party Groups can be downloaded here:

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/PCFSGroupsRules.pdf

or opened here on ME agenda

APPG Groups Rules

Summary: ICD-11 Alpha Draft and iCAT (PVFS, ME and CFS)

Summary: ICD-11 Alpha Draft and iCAT (PVFS, ME and CFS)

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2Ur

Compiled by Suzy Chapman Dx Revision Watch

May be republished if published in full, unedited and with source acknowledged. 

A version of this report was published on Co-Cure on 11 June 2010.

The information in this summary relates to proposals for ICD-11. It does not apply to ICD-10-CM, the forthcoming US “Clinical Modification” of ICD-10, scheduled for implementation in October 2013.

This report provides a summary of the material published on Dx Revision Watch site on 7 June that included screenshots from the iCAT, the wiki-like collaborative authoring platform through which ICD-11 is being drafted.

BERJAYA

 

To view proposals as they currently stand, see the 12 screenshots here:

PVFS, ME, CFS: the ICD-11 Alpha Draft and iCAT Collaborative Authoring Platform, 7 June 2010, Post # 46: http://wp.me/pKrrB-KK

 

Presentation of an alpha draft to the WHA:

A hard copy “snapshot” of the ICD-11 alpha draft, as it stood at that point, was presented by WHO at the 63rd World Health Assembly meeting, between 17 and 25 May.

According to page 38 of the document “ICD-11 Revision Project Plan”:

“WHO will consider endorsement of the alpha draft, after all concerns of RSG and the Classification TAGs have been duly taken into account. The alpha draft is a frozen state of development of the ICD-11 that will include a large part of the structural changes, and the majority of the definitions. The Alpha draft will be produced in a traditional print and electronic format. The Alpha Draft will also include a Volume 2 containing the traditional sections and including a section about the new features of ICD-11 in line with the style guide. An index for print will be available in format of sample pages. A fully searchable electronic index using some of the ontological features will demonstrate the power of the new ICD” [1].

The date by which WHO anticipates this stage should be reached is unconfirmed.

Caveat

For better understanding, it is important that the brief iCAT Glossary page is read in conjunction with the iCAT screenshots, especially the Glossary entries for ICD-10 Code, ICD Title, Definition, and for the Terms: Synonyms, Inclusions and Exclusions [2].

Read the iCAT Glossary here:
http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icatfiles/iCAT_Glossary.html

Secondly, it needs to be understood that the alpha draft is a “work in progress”. Not all content will have been compiled yet and entered into the iCAT and there are many blank fields awaiting population for all chapters and all categories. It also needs to be understood that some text already entered into the various “Details” fields may still be in the process of internal review.

Summary

In ICD-10, there is no textual content for the three terms “Postviral fatigue syndrome”, “Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis” and “Chronic fatigue syndrome” .

There are no definitions and the relationship between the three terms is not specified.

In ICD-11, categories will be defined through the use of multiple parameters: Title & Definition, Terms: Synonyms, Inclusions, Exclusions, Clinical Description, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnostic Criteria and so on, according to a common “Content Model” [3].

The level of detail currently visible in the iCAT isn’t sufficiently specific to enable me to present an unequivocal overview of current proposals for potential changes to hierarchy or for the specification of the relationships between the three terms of interest to us.

Based only on the information visible in the iCAT as it stood at 11 June 2010, it appears that instead of:

ICD-10: Volume 1: The Tabular List (version for 2007)

http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/?gg90.htm+g933

Chapter VI (6)

Diseases of the nervous system
(G00-G99)

[...]

Other disorders of the nervous system
(G90-99)

[...]

G93 Other disorders of brain

[...]

G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis

(with Chronic fatigue syndrome indexed to G93.3 in ICD-10: Volume 3: The Alphabetical Index)

what appears to be being proposed at this point for ICD-11 is that:

The classifications coded between G83.9 thru G99.8 in ICD-10 Chapter VI: Diseases of the nervous system, are being reorganised.

For ICD-11, Chapter 6, codings beyond G83.9 are represented by new parent classes numbered GA thru to GN;

example:

Chapter 6 VI Disorders of the nervous system

[...]
G80-G83 Cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes
GA Infections of the nervous system
GB Movement disorders and degenerative disorders
GC Dementias
GD Epilepsy and seizures
[...]
GN Other disorders of the nervous system

“GN Other disorders of the nervous system” is parent to five child classes which have been assigned the “Sorting labels” Gj90-Gj94.

(A Sorting label is a string that can be used to sort the children of a category. This is not the ICD code.)

Four of these five Gj9x classes have a complex hierarchy of child and grandchildren classes.

At Gj92, sits “Chronic fatigue syndrome”

“Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome” has no child classes of its own.

Next to “Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome” is an icon for “Category Notes and Discussions”.

There is one Category Note for Gj92 which records:

“[Reason for change]: Change in hierarchy for class: G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome. Parents added: (Gj90-Gj99 Other disorders of the nervous system). Parents removed: (G93 Other disorders of brain). New hierarchy”

(Note that the removal of the parent category “G93 Other disorders of brain” will affect a large number of categories classified under G93 in ICD-10, not just those at G93.3.)

In the iCAT production server, click on “Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome” and “Details for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome” will display on the right of your screen (it may take a few seconds for the text to load). Or you can view the screenshots on my site: http://wp.me/pKrrB-KK

“Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome” is an ICD Title term with a Details page, a Definition and an Inclusions term (but with no Synonyms, Exclusions or other fields yet populated).

“Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis” is listed under Inclusions (the relationship is not currently specified, eg “Synonym” or “Subclass” or whatever).

Extract: iCAT Glossary

http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icatfiles/iCAT_Glossary.html#inclusions

“Inclusion terms appear in the tabular list of the traditional print version and show users that entities are included in the relevant concept. All of the ICD-10 inclusion terms have been imported and accessible in the iCat. These are either synonyms of the category titles or subclasses which are not represented in the classification hierarchy. Since we have synonyms as a separate entity in our ICD-11 content model, the new synonyms suggested by the users should go into the synonyms section. In the future, iCat will provide a mechanism to identify whether an inclusion is a synonym or a subclass.”

————-

In the iCAT ICD Categories list, there is no Gj9x Sorting label listing for “Postviral fatigue syndrome” or “Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis” under “GN Other disorders of the nervous system” or under any other parent or child class, and consequently no Category Details display for either term.

(Whether this is because Inclusion terms would appear in the tabular list version but not in the iCAT version or whether this is because of proposed changes to the hierarchy and/or relationship between the three terms, cannot be determined from the information as it stands at 11 June.)

“Postviral fatigue syndrome” is not currently specified under Inclusions in “Details for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome”.

Again, whether this is because “Postviral fatigue syndrome” would be accounted for in the tabular list version or whether this is because it may be being proposed that the term “Postviral fatigue syndrome” (which has lost its parent class “G93 Other disorders of brain”) should be subsumed into “Chronic fatigue syndrome”, with “Chronic fatigue syndrome” as the new ICD category Title, cannot be determined from the information as it currently stands.

Exclusions

If you pull up the iCAT Details for ICD-11 Chapter 5: F48.0 Neurasthenia (or view the screenshots on my site)

“postviral fatigue syndrome” is listed under Exclusions to Neurasthenia and is referenced thus:

“postviral fatigue syndrome”    G93.3 -> Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

In iCAT Chapter 18: R53 Malaise and Fatigue

“fatigue syndrome postviral” [sic] is also listed under Exclusions, referenced

G93.3 -> Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome
 

But that in the absence of further information, it is currently unclear what the proposed hierarchical status of Postviral fatigue syndrome will be in relation to Chronic fatigue syndrome.

————-

When you click on the Category Notes icons for some other categories, the Notes are often more explicit, for example, the Category Note for:

GN Other disorders of the nervous system

> Gj90 Disorders of CSF pressure and flow
         > Gj90.0 Increased intracranial pressure disorders

Reads: [Reason for change]: Create class with name: Increased intracranial pressure disorders, parents: Disorders of CSF Pressure and Flow

replaces G93.5, G93.6, and G93.7

The Category Note for “Gj90 Disorders of CSF pressure and flow” records that this class has been created to replace:

G91, G92, G93.0, G93.2, G94.0, G94.1, G94.2, G96.0, G97.0, G97.1, G97.2

(which also gives an idea of the extent to which the structure of ICD-10 classifications between G90 – G99.8 is being reorganised.)

In the absence of an Alpha Draft, I shall be contacting the chair of the Topic Advisory Group for Neurology for further clarification.

**************************************************

So what can be said is that currently in the iCAT for ICD-11 drafting:

That under Chapter 6 (Neurology):

The parent class “G93 Other disorders of brain” is removed.

“Chronic fatigue syndrome” displays as a Title term in the Categories list.

It is a child to parent class “GN Other disorders of the nervous system”.

It has been assigned the “Sorting label” Gj92.

“Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome” has a Definition field populated.

It has an External Definitions field populated which includes definitions imported from other classification systems, the text of which includes “Also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis”.

It has “Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis” specified under Inclusions.

It has no Synonyms, Exclusions or other descriptor fields populated yet.

That at this point and as far as the iCAT version is concerned, neither “Postviral fatigue syndrome” nor “Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis” have been listed as ICD Title terms under the parent class “GN Other disorders of the nervous system” or under any other class.

That at this point and as far as the iCAT version is concerned, there is no accounting for “Postviral fatigue syndrome”, other than that “Postviral fatigue syndrome” is specified under Exclusions to Chapter 5 F48.0 Neurasthenia and to Chapter 18 R53 Malaise and fatigue and is referenced as

“postviral fatigue syndrome” G93.3 -> Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

**************************************************

So please read the iCAT Glossary of Terms page, have a look at the screenshots and then have a poke around in the iCAT – you can’t break anything as members of the public have no editing rights [4].

I shall continue to monitor the iCAT production server closely and report on any changes to proposals for Category listings and on the progress of the population of content. (There has been no change since this report was compiled.)

And if you were thinking of getting a G93.3 tattoo done – well it might be best to hang on for a bit…

References:

[1] ICD-11 Revision Project Plan – Draft 2.0 (v March 10)
Describes the ICD revision process as an overall project plan in terms of goals, key streams of work, activities, products, and key participants:
http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/ICDRevisionProjectPlan_March2010.pdf

[2] iCAT Glossary
http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icatfiles/iCAT_Glossary.html

[3] Content Model Specifications and User Guide (v April 10)
Identifies the basic properties needed to define any ICD concept (unit, entity or category) through the use of multiple parameters:
http://tinyurl.com/ICD11ContentModelApril10

[4] iCAT production server and Demo and Training iCAT Platform:
https://sites.google.com/site/icd11revision/home/icat
iCAT production server: http://icat.stanford.edu/
Demo and Training iCAT Platform: http://icatdemo.stanford.edu /

Compiled by Suzy Chapman
http://dxrevisionwatch.wordpress.com
http://meagenda.wordpress.com

US “Clinical Modification” ICD-10-CM: Clarification

US “Clinical Modification” ICD-10-CM: Clarification

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2Ul

This post is intended to clarify any confusion between ICD-10, ICD-11 and the forthcoming US Clinical Modification of ICD-10 which will be known as ICD-10-CM.

The WHO published ICD-10 in 1992. The current version of ICD-10 (Version for 2007) is used in the UK and in many countries throughout the world.

ICD-10 is under revision and the development of the structure and content of ICD-11 has been underway since 2007. ICD-11 is scheduled for completion in 2014.

 

Clinical Modifications

Several countries are permitted to publish adaptations of the ICD called “Clinical Modifications” (sometimes known as “national modifications”).

Countries using Clinical Modifications of ICD-10 include Canada (ICD-10-CA), Australia (ICD-10-AM) and Germany (ICD-10-GM).

The United States currently uses an adaptation of the WHO’s now retired ICD-9, called ICD-9-CM, and has been slow to move onto ICD-10.

Rather than skip ICD-10 and move straight onto ICD-11 in 2014+, the US has been developing a modification of ICD 10 called ICD-10-CM which will replace ICD-9-CM.

ICD-10-CM is due for implementation in October 2013.

According to one report, the US should not expect to move on to ICD-11 (or a modification of ICD-11) until well after 2020, assuming that the ICD-11 Beta is published around the 2014-2015 projection:

Why move to ICD-10, if ICD-11 is on the horizon?
http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/why-move-icd-10-if-icd-11-horizon

 

What are the proposed classifications and codings for PVFS, (Benign) ME and Chronic fatigue syndrome for ICD-10-CM?

In March 2001, the document:

“A Summary of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Its Classification in the International Classification of Diseases Prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Office of the Center Director, Data Policy and Standards”

provided a concise “summary of the classification of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), ninth and tenth revisions, and their clinical modifications.”

That document is archived here: http://www.co-cure.org/ICD_code.pdf

In 2001, the proposal had been:

“In keeping with the placement in the ICD-10, chronic fatigue syndrome (and its synonymous terms) will remain at G93.3 in ICD-10-CM.”

So at that point, it was being proposed for the forthcoming US ICD-10-CM that PVFS, (Benign) ME and Chronic fatigue syndrome would be coded at G93.3, which would have placed all three terms in Chapter VI: Diseases of the nervous system (the Neurological chapter).

But the current proposals for ICD-10-CM propose classifying Chronic fatigue syndrome in Chapter 18, under R53 Malaise and fatigue, at R53.82.

The “R” codes are classified under

CHAPTER 18 (XVIII)
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)

This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded…

Note: this is not the ICD-10-CM Mental and Behavioural chapter, which is:

CHAPTER 5 (V)
Mental and behavioral disorders (F01-F99)
Includes: disorders of psychological development
Excludes2: symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)

which specifically excludes the R00-R99 codes.

So the current proposal for ICD-10-CM separates CFS and Postviral fatigue syndrome into mutually exclusive categories:

“Chronic fatigue, unspecified” and “Chronic fatigue syndrome not otherwise specified” appear in Chapter 18, under R53 Malaise and fatigue, at R53.82.

Whilst “Postviral fatigue syndrome” and “benign myalgic encephalomyelitis” appear in Chapter 6, under G93 Other disorders of brain, at G93.3.

At some point before October 2013, ICD-10-CM revision will be “frozen” for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and insurance companies to prepare for the October 1, 2013 implementation.

See Tom Sullivan at ICD10 Watch.com (no connection with my site) here:

CMS, CDC call for ICD-9 and ICD-10 code freeze
http://icd10watch.com/headline/cms-cdc-call-icd-9-and-icd-10-code-freeze

“CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proposed that both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS code sets be frozen two years before the compliance deadline.

“What that means: As of October 1, 2011, only limited updates would be instituted into the code sets so that providers, payers, clearinghouses, and health IT vendors, will not have to simultaneously keep pace with code updates while also reconfiguring their existing systems for ICD-10-CM/PCS.” ICD10 Watch.com

During the last ten minutes of the CFSAC meeting on Monday, 10 May, Dr Lenny Jason raised his concerns with the committee that the placement of CFS in ICD-10-CM in the Chapter 18 “R” codes could be problematic.

Videocast of full CFSAC meeting here:
http://videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=15884

In August 2005, CFSAC had submitted the following recommendation to the Secretary:

http://www.hhs.gov/advcomcfs/recommendations/082005.html

“Recommendation 10: We would encourage the classification of CFS as a ‘Nervous System Disease,’ as worded in the ICD-10 G93.3.”

I suggest that US advocates with concerns about current proposals for the placement of CFS within ICD-10-CM keep a close eye on decisions about the date by which ICD-10-CM is to be frozen.

For the most recent ICD-10-CM proposals see:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm

The 2010 update of ICD-10-CM is now available and replaces the July 2009 version.

The file for the Tabular List is in a Zipped file which is not that easy to locate on the site. A non Zipped PDF can be downloaded from this site:

http://www.cms.gov/ICD10/12_2010_ICD_10_CM.asp#TopOfPage
http://www.cms.gov/ICD10/Downloads/6_I10tab2010.pdf

or open the PDF on my Dx Revision Watch site, here
http://dxrevisionwatch.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/i10tab2010.pdf

ICD-10-CM CHAPTER 18

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries Page 1165 (Update for 2010)

R53 Malaise and fatigue

[...]

R53.8 Other malaise and fatigue

Excludes1: combat exhaustion and fatigue (F43.0)
congenital debility (P96.9)
exhaustion and fatigue due to:
depressive episode (F32.-)
excessive exertion (T73.3)
exposure (T73.2)
heat (T67.-)
pregnancy (O26.8-)
recurrent depressive episode (F33)
senile debility (R54)

R53.81 Other malaise

Chronic debility
Debility NOS
General physical deterioration
Malaise NOS
Nervous debility
Excludes1: age-related physical debility (R54)

R53.82 Chronic fatigue, unspecified

Chronic fatigue syndrome NOS
Excludes1: postviral fatigue syndrome (G93.3)

R53.83 Other fatigue

Fatigue NOS
Lack of energy
Lethargy
Tiredness

 

ICD-10-CM CHAPTER 6 Page 325 (Update for 2010)

Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99)

Excludes2:

[...]
symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

[...]

G93 Other disorders of brain

[...]

G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis
Excludes1: chronic fatigue syndrome NOS (R53.82)

For comparison:

German Modification ICD-10-GM
http://www.dimdi.de/static/de/klassi/diagnosen/icd10/htmlgm2010/block-g90-g99.htm

ICD-10-GM Version 2010

Kapitel VI
Krankheiten des Nervensystems
(G00-G99)

G93.- Sonstige Krankheiten des Gehirns

[...]

G93.3 Chronisches Müdigkeitssyndrom

Benigne myalgische Enzephalomyelitis
Chronisches Müdigkeitssyndrom bei Immundysfunktion
Postvirales Müdigkeitssyndrom

For comparison:

Canadian Modification ICD-10-CA

(Version 2009 of ICD-10-CA/CCI replaces version 2006)

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=codingclass_e

Version 2009 ICD-10-CA Tabular List, Volume 1 PDF (4.9MB)
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/en/downloads/ICD-10-CA_Vol1_2009.pdf

Version 2009 ICD-10-CA Alphabetical Index, Volume 2 PDF (4.3MB)
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/en/downloads/ICD-10-CA_Vol2_2009.pdf

Chapter VI

Diseases of the nervous system
(G00-G99)

Other disorders of the nervous system
(G90-99)

[...]

G93 Other disorders of brain

[...]

G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome

Includes: Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis
Chronic fatigue syndrome

Excludes: fatigue syndrome NOS (F48.0)

For comparison with WHO ICD-10:

Current ICD-10 codings for the three terms are set out on my site, here, together with extracts from Chapter V (the “F” codes) and Chapter XVIII (the “R” codes):

http://dxrevisionwatch.wordpress.com/icd-11-me-cfs/

or go here for the full ICD-10 Volume 1: Tabular List

http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/

ICD-10 Version for 2007 online
http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/?gg90.htm+g933

Chapter VI

Diseases of the nervous system
(G00-G99)

Other disorders of the nervous system
(G90-99)

[...]

G93 Other disorders of brain

[...]

G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis

Note that in ICD-10, Chronic fatigue syndrome is not included in Volume 1: The Tabular List, Chapter VI under the parent term:

G93 Other Disorders of brain

but “Chronic fatigue syndrome” does appear in Volume 3: The Alphabetical Index, where it is indexed to G93.3.

In a forthcoming post, I shall be publishing important information about proposals for parent terms, classifications and codings in the ICD-11 Alpha Draft.

 

Related material:

ICD-9-CM

For information on the current codings in ICD-9-CM (US Clinical Modification) see the NAME U.S. page: WHO ICD Codes section

American Psychiatric Association on DSM-5

In a 10 December Press Release, the American Psychiatric Association said:

“Extending the timeline [for DSM-5] will allow more time for public review, field trials and revisions”

and

“The extension will also permit the DSM-5 to better link with the U.S. implementation of the ICD-10-CM codes for all Medicare/Medicaid claims reporting, scheduled for October 1, 2013. Although ICD-10 was published by the WHO in 1990, the “Clinical Modification” version (ICD- 10-CM) authorized by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is not being implemented in the U.S. until 23 years later.

“The ICD-10-CM includes disorder names, logical groupings of disorders and code numbers but not explicit diagnostic criteria. The APA has already worked with CMS and CDC to develop a common structure for the currently in-use DSM-IV and the mental disorders section of the ICD- 10-CM.

“The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is published by the WHO for all member countries to classify diseases and medical conditions for international health care, public health, and statistical use. The WHO plans to release its next version of the ICD, the ICD-11, in 2014.

“APA will continue to work with the WHO to harmonize the DSM-5 with the mental and behavioral disorders section of the ICD-11. Given the timing of the release of both DSM-5 and ICD-11 in relation to the ICD-10-CM, the APA will also work with the CDC and CMS to propose a structure for the U.S. ICD-10 CM that is reflective of the DSM-5 and ICD-11 harmonization efforts. This will be done prior to the time when the ICD-10-CM revisions are “frozen” for CMS and insurance companies to prepare for the October 1, 2013, adoption.”

ICD-11 Alpha Draft, iCAT Collaborative Authoring Platform and PVFS, ME, CFS

ICD-11 Alpha Draft, iCAT Collaborative Authoring Platform and PVFS, ME, CFS

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2Ui

The information in this report relates to proposals for ICD-11. It does not apply to ICD-10-CM, the forthcoming US “Clinical Modification” of ICD-10.

 

Whither the ICD-11 Alpha Draft?

According to documents published by the ICD Revision Steering Group (RSG) and the Agenda for the iCAMP2 and Revision Steering Group meeting on 19-23 April 2010, it was projected that an alpha draft for ICD-11 would be ready by 10 May 2010 [Key document 1a].

The RSG meeting Agenda proposed that the alpha draft should be presented to the World Health Assembly (WHA) between 17-25 May. A proposal for a press launch was also tabled for discussion.

It is understood that the ICD-11 alpha draft is being created for internal users, was not expected to be complete by May 2010, but released as a “work in progress” towards the beta stage. The beta draft for ICD-11 is scheduled for 2011, which will be subjected to systematic field trials and then made available for public comment.

10 May has come and gone, and there has been no public launch of an alpha draft or the iCAT – the wiki-like collaborative authoring platform through which ICD-11 is being drafted.

As the Minutes of the April RSG meeting are not yet available, it remains unclear how on target the alpha draft is or whether the goals for 2010 have had to be revised. (See Page 7, ICD-11 Revision Project Plan – Draft 2.0 for Project milestones and budget, and organizational overview.)

When the RSG does release information on the status of the alpha draft and the operational status of the iCAT, I will post an update.

In the meantime, I have raised a number of queries around the status of the alpha draft, whether the RSG intends to make a draft available for public viewing, at what point, and in what format(s). I have also asked for information about the availability of Topic Advisory Group proposal forms for stakeholder input, up to what stage in the development process timeline these might be used, and which stakeholders are going to be permitted to make use of proposal forms.

 

iCAT production server

In the posting ICD-11 Alpha Draft scheduled to launch between 10 and 17 May, 6 May, I reported that it is already possible to view a “Demo and Training iCAT Platform” and also access the iCAT production server.

I cautioned that until an official ICD-11 Alpha Draft is released, it cannot be determined how far the various Topic Advisory Groups have progressed with revising classifications and populating textual content according to a common “Content Model” for the ICD Chapters and categories of interest to us [Key document 1b].

I noted that the Demo and Training iCAT Platform, at that point, was sparsely populated for content and that the classifications and codings listed within the various chapters appeared to have been imported from ICD-10, with little discernable change – presumably as the starting point for the drafting process.

A revised Demo and Training iCAT Platform is now accessible, the content of which is also viewable on the iCAT production server and it is to these proposed revisions that I want to draw your attention.

Note that anyone can view the Demo and Training iCAT Platform and iCAT production server but only WHO, ICD Revision and IT personnel and the Managers and members of the various Topic Advisory Groups (TAGS)will have editorial access. External reviewers recruited by TAG Managers will also use the iCAT to upload reviews and comment on proposals and content.

I have compiled a series of screenshots and very brief notes on what is viewable at the moment for the chapters and categories of interest to us.

Note: Screenshots are taken from the Demo and Training iCAT Platform and iCAT production server as they stood at 24 May 2010. Alpha drafting is an ongoing process and what currently appears may be subject to revision, refinement and additions before an official Alpha Draft is released. Not all the classification and content work currently undertaken may have been entered into the iCAT.

Note also that when viewing the iCAT in your browser, the left hand side of the screen displays the ICD Categories listings with the category Definition, Term, Clinical Description, Diagnostic Criteria etc displaying on the right of the screen. Because this view is too wide to display on my website template, the screenshots have had to be split in two. On your screen the iCAT will look like this:

BERJAYA

 

When you have read this report and familiarised yourself with the way the iCAT functions, I suggest you poke around – you can’t break anything as members of the public have no editing access.

All screenshots as they stood at 24 May 2010

A wiki-like Collaborative Authoring Tool (known as the iCAT)) is being used for the initial authoring of the alpha draft.

The iCAT production server and Demo and Training iCAT Platform can be accessed here:

https://sites.google.com/site/icd11revision/home/icat

iCAT production server at: http://icat.stanford.edu/

Demo and Training iCAT Platform at: http://icatdemo.stanford.edu/

Load either (they may take a minute or more to load and appear less inclined to hang in Firefox).

One loaded, you will be presented with an Entry Page – this is the My ICD Tab

Welcome to iCAT – the Initial ICD 11 Collaborative Authoring Tool!

Select the ICD Content Tab and ICD Categories by chapter will populate down the left side of the screen.

Scroll down and open up the + next to 06 VI Diseases of the nervous system

ICD Categories:

BERJAYA

 

Scroll down and note that ICD-10 codings between G83.9 and G99.8 are being reorganised and have been assigned the labels GA thru GN (some of which, like GN, are parent categories with child and grandchildren categories).

Open up the + next to GN Other disorders of the nervous system

which is a parent to category Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

(Note: Gj92 is known as a “Sorting label”. A Sorting label is a string that can be used to sort the children of a category. This is not the ICD code.)

Note that Postviral fatigue syndrome and Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis are not currently accounted for in the ICD Categories List as children of the parent category GN Other disorders of the nervous system. Only Chronic fatigue syndrome is listed and assigned the Sorting Label “Gj92″. [See Glossary: Inclusions]

 

BERJAYA

 

Click on the double speech bubble icon next to Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome which will display 1 Category Discussion Note (Click Expand to display the full note. Discussion Notes can also be accessed via the Category Notes and Discussions Tab, from which the screenshot below, orginates).

Discussion Note for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome:

BERJAYA

This Discussion Note records a Change in hierarchy for class: G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome because its parent category (G93 Other disorders of brain) is removed.

Note that the removal of the parent G93 Other disorders of brain will affect other categories also classified under G93 in ICD-10, not just G93.3. Open up the double speech bubble icons next to other category listings and you can view the Discussion Notes on proposed restructuring for other G8x and G9x categories.

Next, with the ICD Content Tab selected, click on Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome and the Details for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome will display on the right side of the screen. Allow a few moments for the text in the boxes to load.

With the Title & Definition Tab selected (the Tab may read Definition only, depending on whether you are viewing the iCAT production server or the Demo iCAT), you can view the

Details for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

To view a Glossary of Terms page, which defines the terms in the Tabs click on the blue question mark icons which will load the iCAT Glossary.

Content for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome:

[See Glossary: Definition] The full text of External Definitions (imported from affiliate classification publications) which is partly hidden in the screenshot, is appended at end of this post. According to discussion on the iCAT Users Google Group, it is proposed that External Definitions might be given less prominence when displaying in the iCAT.

BERJAYA

 

Now click on the Terms Tab.

Terms for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome:

Benign myalagic encephalomyelitis currently appears listed under Inclusions to Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Note that Postviral fatigue syndrome is not listed under Inclusions and that Synonyms and Exclusions for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome have yet to be populated. [See Glossary: Synonyms, Inclusions, Exclusions]

Very few of the other Content Tabs have been populated but it is envisaged that they will be in due course.

BERJAYA

I provide no screenshots for Benign myalagic encephalomyelitis or Postviral fatigue syndrome because these are not listed in the ICD Categories List. [See Glossary: ICD Title, Synonyms, Inclusions, Exclusions]

Extract from the iCAT Glossary

6. Inclusions

Short definition: Inclusion terms are either synonyms of the category titles or subclasses which are not represented in the classification hierarchy.

Details: Inclusion terms appear in the tabular list of the traditional print version and show users that entities are included in the relevant concept. All of the ICD-10 inclusion terms have been imported and accessible in the iCat. These are either synonyms of the category titles or subclasses which are not represented in the classification hierarchy. Since we have synonyms as a separate entity in our ICD-11 content model, the new synonyms suggested by the users should go into the synonyms section. In the future, iCat will provide a mechanism to identify whether an inclusion is a synonym or a subclass.

7. Exclusions

Short definition: Exclusion terms help users eliminate entities that should be assigned to a different ICD category because of differences in meaning or terminology.

Details: Exclusion terms help users eliminate entities that should be assigned to a different ICD category because of differences in meaning or terminology.

 

I am including some screenshots of other Chapters which will be of interest.

Chapter 5 (V) Somatoform Disorders at F45 (currently same as or near ICD-10):

BERJAYA

 

Neurasthenia remains in Chapter 5 (V) at F48.0:

BERJAYA

 

Inclusions and Exclusions for Neurasthenia:

BERJAYA

 

Chapter 18 (XVIII) displaying R53 Malaise and fatigue (this is the Chapter under which the US Clinical Modification, ICD-10-CM, proposes classifying Chronic fatigue syndrome, at R53.82):

BERJAYA

 

Inclusions and Exclusions for R53 Malaise and fatigue:

BERJAYA

 

Here are the two Category discussion Notes that appear directly beneath 06 VI Diseases of the nervous system (no ICD10 concepts from Chapter 06 VI are currently moved into either of these “holding pens”).

1 Discussion Note for: Needing a decision to be made

BERJAYA

 

1 Discussion Note for: To be retired

BERJAYA

________________________________________________________________________

  

External Definitions: (Imported from affiliate classification publications, these remain the same as my 6 May posting.)

External Definitions for Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

A syndrome of unknown etiology. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a clinical diagnosis characterized by an unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic fatigue that is of at least six months duration, is not the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest, and results in substantial reduction of previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities. Common concurrent symptoms of at least six months duration include impairment of memory or concentration, diffuse pain, sore throat, tender lymph nodes,headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity, and nonrestorative sleep. The etiology of CFS may be viral or immunologic. Neurasthenia and fibromyalgia may represent related disorders. Also known as myalgic encephalomyeltis.

Ontology ID UMLS/NC12007_05
E

distinctive syndrome characterized by chronic fatigue, mild fever, lymphadenopathy, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, depression, and memory loss: candidate eitiological agents include Epstein-Barr and other herpesviruses.

Ontology ID UMLS/CSP2006

A syndrome characterized by persistent or recurrent fatigue, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, and subjective cognitive impairment of 6 months duration or longer. Symptoms are not caused by ongoing exertion; are not relieved by rest; and result in a substantial reduction of previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities. Minor alterations of immune, neuroendocrine, and automatic function may be associated with this syndrome. There is also considerable overlap between this condition and FIBROMYALGIA.
(From Semin Neurol 1998;18(2):237-42: Ann Intern Med 1994 Dec 15;121(12):953-9)

Ontology ID UMLS/MSH2008_2
008_02_04

 

Based only on the information visible in the iCAT as it stood at 24 May 2010, it appears that instead of:

ICD-10 (version for 2007) Tabular List

http://apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/?gg90.htm+g933

Chapter VI (6)

Diseases of the nervous system
(G00-G99)

[...]

Other disorders of the nervous system
(G90-99)

[...]

G93 Other disorders of brain

[...]

G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis

(with Chronic fatigue syndrome indexed to G93.3 in Volume 3: The Alphabetical Index)

that what may be being proposed at this point is:

that G83.9-G99.8 codes in ICD-10 Chapter VI: Diseases of the nervous system are being restuctured;

that G93 Other disorders of brain is removed as a parent category for G93.x codings;

that GN Other disorders of the nervous system

is now the parent to a large number of categories previously classified between G83.9 and G99.8

that GN Other disorders of the nervous system is the parent to

Gj92 (Sorting label) Chronic fatigue syndrome

that Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome is included in ICD-11 Chapter 06 VI Diseases of the nervous system (Neurology chapter) in the ICD Categories list as an ICD Title term;

that there is currently displaying no Gj9x Sorting label (or any other Sorting label) listing for Postviral fatigue syndrome or Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis in ICD Categories list or any Category Details for either term;

(Whether this is because Inclusion terms appear in the tabular list of the traditional print version but not in the iCAT version, or because of proposed hierarchy changes to the relationship between these three terms or because text remains to be entered into the iCAT for these two terms, cannot be determined from the information available at 10 June – please refer to Glossary of Terms which sets out the relationships between an ICD Title and its inclusion in the iCAT Categories list and between an ICD Title and its Synonyms, Inclusions and Exclusions.)

that Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome is an ICD Title term with a Details page, a Definition and an Inclusion term (but with no Synonyms or Exclusions or other fields yet populated);

that Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis is listed as an Inclusion to Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

that Chapter 5 V Details for F48.0 Neurasthenia specifies
“postviral fatigue syndrome” as an Exclusion with References

G93.3 -> Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

that Chapter 18 XVIII Details for R53 Malaise and Fatigue specifies
“fatigue syndrome postviral” [sic] as an Exclusion with References

F48.0 -> F48.0 Neurasthenia,
G93.3 -> Gj92 Chronic fatigue syndrome

but that in the absence of further information, it is currently unclear what the proposed hierarchical status of Postviral fatigue syndrome and Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis will be in relation to Chronic fatigue syndrome, and in relation to each other.

I shall continue to monitor the iCAT production server closely and report on any changes to proposals for Category listings and on the progress of the population of content.

 

[1] Key documents:

a) ICD-11 Revision Project Plan – Draft 2.0 (v March 10) [PDF format]
Describes the ICD revision process as an overall project plan in terms of goals, key streams of work, activities, products, and key participants.

b) Content Model Specifications and User Guide (v April 10)
Identifies the basic properties needed to define any ICD concept (unit, entity or category) through the use of multiple parameters.

c) Alpha Drafting Workflow (v 06.10.09)
Sets out lines of responsibility between the various contributors for the alpha drafting phase.

d) Further documents eg Style Guide, ICD-11 Conventions:
ICD Revision Google site

Summary ME Association Board of Trustees meetings 14, 15 June 2010

Summary of ME Association Board of Trustees meetings 14 and 15 June 2010

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2Ua

ME Association  |  17 June 2010

This is a summary of key points to emerge from two meetings of The ME Association Board of Trustees.

These meetings took place at our Head Office in Buckingham on Monday afternoon, June 14th and on Tuesday morning, June 15th 2010.

This is a summary of the Board meetings – not the official minutes.

The order of subjects below is not necessarily in the order that they were discussed.

MEA website: http://www.meassociation.org.uk

PRESENT

Trustees:

Ewan Dale (ED) – Honorary Treasurer
Mark Douglas (MD)
Neil Riley (NR) – Chairman
Charles Shepherd (CS) – Honorary Medical Adviser
Barbara Stafford (BS) – Vice Chairman

MEA Officials:

Gill Briody (GB) – Company Secretary
Tony Britton (TB) – Publicity Manager

Apologies:

Rick Osman (RO)
Janet Thomas (JT)

FINANCES, ADMINISTRATION, PREMISES AND STAFF

ED updated trustees on the current financial situation. This was followed by a discussion on the monthly management accounts for the period up to the end of April 2010. There has been a drop in some areas of income during the past few months when compared to the same period in 2009 – unrestricted donations and bank interest in particular. As a result, general expenditure is currently running slightly ahead of unrestricted income.

However, income from fundraising has shown a significant and welcome increase over the same period in 2009 and in order to cope with the increased demand on fundraising support services it was decided to create a new part-time post to deal with fundraising administration with immediate effect. Details about this new post will be placed on the MEA website when trustees have agreed the job description.

There has also been a significant increase over the past twelve months in the ring fenced funding held by the Ramsay Research Fund for research purposes.

Trustees once again reviewed the current ‘best buys’ for interest-gaining options in relation to money kept in the business and Ramsay Research Fund deposit accounts.

The new computer equipment for Head Office staff is now fully installed and working in a satisfactory manner. GB reported that a few minor problems have still to be resolved.

Trustees discussed some possible changes to The MEA Memorandum and Articles of Association to take account of expected new charity legislation.

Trustees passed on best wishes to Lucy Kingham, at Head Office, who will be taking maternity leave in October.

FORWARD PLANNING

Trustees held a further discussion on the future growth of the MEA. This work includes looking at areas of priority for expansion of the services we already provide and new services that we would like to provide if/when the financial situation allows us to do so. Read the rest of this entry »

Two EDMs: Policy intentions toward Carers; Working Carers

EDM 128: New government’s policy intentions toward Carers  Hepburn, Stephen 02.06.2010

EDM 246: Working Carers  Cooper, Rosie 16.06.2010

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2U1

From Carer Watch  |  15 June 2010

http://carerwatch.com/

These next few weeks carers are going to be to the forefront with Carers Week imminent. Please take a few minutes to contact your MP and ask him/her to sign the following EDM. Please let Carer Watch know if your MP has signed.

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41044&SESSION=905

EDM 128

CARERS
02.06.2010

Hepburn, Stephen

That this House calls on the Government to make an early statement on its policy intentions toward carers; notes the selfless hard work and commitment displayed by the approximately six million carers in the UK; recognises the incalculable difference carers make to the lives of their loved ones; acknowledges that carers save the country an estimated £87 billion each year; and supports an immediate review of the current carers allowance level.

Also:

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41169&SESSION=905

EDM 246

WORKING CARERS
16.06.2010

Cooper, Rosie

That this House celebrates the valuable role performed by over six million carers in the UK, in the majority of cases without any financial recognition from the public purse, saving the country an estimated £87 billion per year; congratulates Carers UK for the valuable work it does in supporting carers and highlighting their needs during Carers Week; further congratulates the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers for its continued campaigning for a better deal for working carers; recognises that many carers need to work to make ends meet because Carer’s Allowance only pays £53.90 a week for a minimum of 35 hours caring; urges the Government to match the commitment of the 2008 National Carers Strategy to ensure that carers are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role and to support the recommendation of the Work and Pensions Select Committee 2008 report that ‘DWP should support adults who become carers during their working lives to combine work and care’; and therefore calls on the Government to remove the disincentive to work represented by the cliff-edge earnings threshold of £97 per week that prevents many carers from working at all and stops those in work from fulfilling their full working potential.

 

Early Day Motions (EDMs)

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/Default.aspx

Early day motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few EDMs are actually debated. Instead, they are used for reasons such as publicising the views of individual MPs, drawing attention to specific events or campaigns, and demonstrating the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.

An MP can add their signature to an EDM to show their support. They can also submit amendments to an existing EDM. Although majority of EDMs are never debated, the group of EDMs known as ‘prayers’ may be debated. Prayers are motions to overturn Statutory Instruments (laws made by Ministers under powers deriving from Acts of Parliament). Further information on EDM procedure can be found in the Commons Information Office Factsheet Early Day Motions.

Up-to-date and searchable information on EDMs is available from the Early Day Motions database. The database is updated nightly with new EDMs and signatures added to existing EDMs. To look at EDMs from any session going back to 1989/90, select the session you want from the pull down menu in the top right hand corner of the screen. For EDMs and signatures prior to 1989/90, please contact the House of Commons Information Office (020 7219 4272).

To view current EDMs and lists of signatories: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMList.aspx

Posted in Benefits, Benefits and Work, Care, Politics. Comments Off

Benefits and Work: Tables turned – your chance to shop the DWP

Benefits and Work: Tables turned – your chance to shop the DWP

Shortlink: http://wp.me/p5foE-2TV

From Steve Donnison Benefits and Work

15 June 2010

Dear Subscriber,

Firstly an apology for the problems you may have had opening links in the last two newsletters – and a further apology in case it happens again this time. The links do all work, but something in the depths of the server stops working when many thousands of people visit at once.

We hope we’ve found the fault, but we have no way of knowing until the newsletter actually goes out. So, if the links don’t work right now, please do accept our apologies and call back later when the server has recovered itself.

In this newsletter we’re asking you to make sure the blame for much of the increase in the harassment of disabled people is placed where it belongs – at the door of the DWP and its ministers, with their constant campaign of vilification against sick and disabled claimants.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has begun an investigation into whether public bodies are fulfilling their legal obligations to prevent disabled people from being harassed. If you think the DWP are failing in this duty – and actually making things much worse – email EHRC and tell them so, your details will not be made public. Email:

disabilityharassmentfi@equalityhumanrights.com

And please, let other people know about this enquiry – the more people who contribute the harder it will be for the EHRC to ignore the DWP’s role in hate crimes. If you do contact EHRC, please consider posting something on our free blog to encourage others. There’s also more information and links on the same blog page at Tables turned – your chance to shop DWP and BBC.

Staying with the DWP, we have a mole’s eye view of the misery that employment and support allowance (ESA) is causing inside Jobcentre Plus and a leaked email that reveals that the DWP is in a panic because of the large numbers of GPs who are wilfully or incompetently failing to complete the new fit notes correctly. There is a question mark hanging over the legality of benefits decisions as a result and it’s a story that, until now, has been kept from the press and the public: Leaked email shows DWP fit notes panic (This article is members only)

We also have the first coalition statement on when current incapacity claimants are to be transferred to ESA: Transfer from IB to ESA: coalition timetable latest (This article is members only)

Plus a growing question mark over those four page DLA renewal forms that we’ve been warning members about. Why is it in the public interest for claimants to be kept in the dark about their future use? Read more in DLA short form – what are they hiding?

We also have a full list of DWP 0800 numbers that are free to call from most mobiles. Many thanks to the member who sent us the list, which they received in response to a Freedom of Information Act request: Full list of free to mobile DWP 0800 numbers

Finally, we’ve had lots of good news posts in the forum lately, below are links to some of them:

Success with DLA first time, A Big Thank You !!

ESA Success….YESSSS!

Another heartfelt THANKS to B&W

DLA tribunal success

Good News

Decision changed – appeal cancelled

ESA appeal

I do hope you find these posts cheering – if the server lets you open the links, that is. If it doesn’t please do call again later, we really are trying to get it permanently sorted.

Good luck,

Steve Donnison

(c) 2010 Steve Donnison. Benefits and Work Publishing Ltd. Company registration No. 5962666

You are welcome to reproduce this newsletter on your website or blog, provided you do so in full.

Posted in Benefits, Benefits and Work, ESA, Politics. Comments Off
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