Angry claimants are to march on one of six GP surgeries in Islington that is to embed DWP funded Remploy job coaches in its practice, the Guardian is reporting.{jcomments on}
The pilot scheme allows GPs to refer patients who are unemployed and have long-term health problems to job coaches based within the surgery.
The job coaches will “work with patients to establish their previous work experience, knowledge and skills, to build confidence, set goals and identify job or educational opportunities.”
It is intended that the job coaches will have the power to write entries in patients’ medical records.
The main target of the project is claimants with mental health conditions.
There is considerable concern amongst activists that vulnerable claimants will be pressured into seeing job coaches and then further pressured into attempting unsuitable work or training as coaches attempt to hit targets.
The DPAC protest will take place on 4 March, 3pm at the City Road Surgery, 190-196 City Road, London EC1V 2QH
Full details of the protest are on the DPAC website
