Lucy Ashton
BBC News, South Yorkshire Political Reporter
Lucy Ashton / BBC
Sheffield GP Maria Read says that changes in services could prove to be “paralyzing” for many people
The cost of living crisis made people sick and there would be a “flood” of people who need support as the changes in services have come into force, warned a Sheffield GP.
Dr. Maria Read said Dovercourt surgery in Sky Edge where she worked has been prepared to deal with more patients because the changes were introduced at the same time as invoices increased.
Ms. Read said: “The fear now for changes in services is palpable, people are terrified.”
Answer, a spokesman for the Ministry of Labor and Pensions (DWP) said that the social security system would still be there for those who suffered from serious health problems and that a new bonus was introduced for those who could never work.
Last month, the government announced major changes to the system of benefits aimed at reducing the growing amount that the United Kingdom spent on well-being.
These changes would include stricter tests for personal independence payments and the reduction of incapacity benefits under universal credit for new applicants.
“Paralyzing changes”
Ms. Read, who has been a general practitioner for 44 years and who has worked in an disadvantaged area in Sheffield, said that people had trouble since the pandemic cochem, but things are getting worse.
“It has been going on for years, but in recent months, it seems that the pressure on households has intensified,” she said.
“We have known for a long time that people who fight against finances have their chances of life and their affected aspirations – and with the cost of the life crisis, things are getting worse.”
Ms. Read said that if people had to try to live a healthier life, it was a “big problem” because many “just can’t afford healthy food or hot houses”.
“Advantage changes will paralyze,” said the general practitioner.
“I understand that people must be helped at work, but for people who have been without work with chronic pain or multiple conditions, there must be a kind of disposition.
“The levels of anxiety are enormous and that affects people’s ability to go to work. It is anxiety that is not caused by medical problems and if we focus only on drugs, we only make papers on the meshes of the net.”
“Dignity and independence”
Ms. Read said that she was working in an area where people were affected by long -term “much earlier” conditions than in richer areas.
“They obtained more than one long -term condition at the end of the 1930s and the early 1940s, compared to their 1970s in richer areas.”
Meanwhile, she said that general practitioners have often found themselves based on volunteer organizations to help support people.
“We are afraid that we are flooded with people who call their benefits changes, but that’s not something we can manage,” said Read.
“This is why the voluntary sector is so important and incredibly useful.”
In a statement, a DWP spokesperson said that the government “would protect people in need”.
“Our reforms will unlock work for sick and disabled people who can and want to be in employment.”
This would be supported by “a support offer of 1 billion pounds sterling to guarantee tailor-made aid,” said the spokesperson.
Such aid would ensure that people were “supported to live with dignity and independence, while ensuring that all those who can achieve the advantages of work are expected and supported to do so,” they added.
