Action for M.E. hosts DWP spotlight training

I have been searching the Action for ME website to try to find out more about the SEE ME project this Toolkit booklet is based on.
So far I've found this page:
https://www.actionforme.org.uk/living-with-me/managing-work/see-me-project/
This page includes these claims:
Remarkable results
Independent evaluation of the project found that 72% of SEE M.E. clients achieved their employment goal, including:
  • successfully returning to their job after lengthy sickness absence
  • starting a new job
  • achieving their best possible exit from unsustainable employment
  • achieving more sustainable existing employment
  • starting volunteering or a training course.
The project also demonstrated significant value for employers and clinicians.

  • 60% of clinicians said SEE M.E. freed up clinical time previously spent supporting patients with their employment needs. This time saving of saving of two hours per week equates to £24,000 per annum.
  • 83% employers or union representatives said SEE M.E. made a positive difference to their anticipated case outcome.
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And this video in which 2 workers on the project, 2 people with ME who were helped by the project and Hazel O'Dowd who runs the NHS ME/CFS clinic it was based in talk a bit about it.


The page also gives an idea of funding and who was involved
People who have M.E. tell us that they, their employer and the people supporting them need more information about how to effectively manage M.E. at work.

We developed SEE M.E. in response to this, delivering it in partnership with the specialist M.E. clinic at North Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Action on Disability and Work UK, Jobcentre Plus, Remploy and Pluss (an award-winning social enterprise). The project was funded by SEE M.E. was funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, the Henry Smith Charity, Lloyds Bank Foundation, Rayne Foundation, Denman Charitable Trust and Dame Violet Wills Trust.
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Interesting that the one patient perspective would appear to be of someone who works for the University or the Health Trust. It is certainly disconcerting that a charity supposedly for people with ME has the concerns of clinicians and job advisors as its major priority.

I do not doubt that there is useful work to be done in this area. That video does no provide evidence that this is it.
 
I have watched the video and read the page linked above. In a way it all sounds commendable. The patients talked about being in a confusing fog of things to cope with when they got sick - getting their employer to make reasonable adjustments so they could go on working, help with filling in benefit forms, understanding their rights, etc. And O'Dowd talked about how it helped at the clinic because they could focus on the therapy and pass the patients' employment worries over to the project workers.

So it looks like the service was being offered at the same time as patients were having the clinic therapy whatever that was - CBT, I assume.

If this were a service based in the health service, I can see the benefits of it if handled sensitively and realistically and the advisors keep their advice within the bounds of helping people get their rights either within their employment if still able to work, or to state benefits if not able to work.

The problem comes when, on the basis of seeing 120 patients through their system presumably for the brief period they are also undergoing O'Dowd's therapy, they decide this is appropriate for all pwME except a few severe patients, and add not only advice on rights, but inaccurate and harmful advice on their version of pacing, goal setting, increasing activity and rehabilitation.

And they put this in a booklet and give it to DWP advisors. :(
 
  • 60% of clinicians said SEE M.E. freed up clinical time previously spent supporting patients with their employment needs. This time saving of saving of two hours per week equates to £24,000 per annum.
    Click to expand...

I don't understand the maths of that, so if they spent 40 hours a week on it they're earning £480,000 a year :jawdrop:
 
And this video in which 2 workers on the project, 2 people with ME who were helped by the project and Hazel O'Dowd who runs the NHS ME/CFS clinic it was based in talk a bit about it.
Click to expand...

I just watched this heap of s**t. Basically it's unwatchable with the bloody carp (anagram) background music going on. I was constantly distracted by that music, it was TOO LOUD and I couldn't take in the talk stuff. Though what I saw of the talk stuff it wasn't worth listening to anyway. :rolleyes: As to O'Dowd, I'd better not say anything actually other than IRRITATING.
 
The CCC Overview indicates about 5 percent of pwME recover, so where they get the idea very ill people will do well with rehab is baffling.

Also this rehab, and support stuff is just coercive CBT. Along with increasing activities, GET, as others have said, this is GET/CBT in sheep's clothing.

Guess this group is doing this for money?

Good letter @Trish. Hope they rescind the toolkit.
 
chrisb said:
Does any documentation presented to patients about this disclose the source of funding for Afme's intervention? There does seem to be a potential for failing to adequately disclose any COI. Charities have salaries and bills to pay.
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If a charity has a tax number, then it's my understanding their books are open to public scrutiny. Charities may have to publish their income and expenses online. That's how it seems to be done.
 
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