Sheffield GP’s fears for patients over benefits changes

The cost of living crisis was making people ill and there would be a “flood” of people needing support as benefit changes came into force, a Sheffield GP has warned.

Dr Maria Read said the Dovercourt Surgery at Sky Edge where she worked was braced to deal with more patients as the changes were introduced at the same time as bills were increasing.

Ms Read said: “The fear now about the benefit changes is palpable, people are terrified.”

Responding, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said the social security system would always be there for those with severe health conditions and a new premium was being introduced for those who would never be able to work.

Last month, the government announced plans for major changes to the benefits system aimed at cutting the growing amount the UK spent on welfare.

Those changes would include stricter tests for personal independence payments and the halving of incapacity benefits under universal credit for new claimants.

Ms Read, who has been a GP for 44 years and who works in a disadvantaged area of Sheffield, said people had been struggling since the Covid pandemic, but things were getting worse.

“It has been going on for years, but in the last few months it feels like the pressure on households has stepped up,” she said.

“We have known for a long time that people who struggle with finances have their life chances and aspirations affected very much – and with the cost of living crisis things are getting gradually worse.”

Ms Read said while people needed to try and live healthier lives, that was a “big problem” because many “simply can’t afford healthy food or warm homes”.

“The benefits changes are going to be crippling,” the GP said.

“I understand people need to be helped back into work, but for people who have been out of work with chronic pain or multiple conditions there has to be some kind of provision.

“Anxiety levels are huge and that affects people’s ability to go to work. It’s anxiety that is not caused by medical issues and if we just focus on medication, we are only papering over the cracks.”

Ms Read said she worked in an area where people were affected by long-term conditions “much earlier” than in more affluent areas.

“They are getting more than one long-term condition in their late 30s and early 40s, compared to their 70s in more affluent areas.”

Meanwhile, she said that GPs often found themselves depending on voluntary organisations to help support people.

“We are afraid we are going to be flooded with people calling up about their benefits changes, but this is not something we can deal with,” Ms Read said.

“This is why the voluntary sector is so important and incredibly helpful.”

In a statement, a DWP spokesperson said 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.”

That would be backed by “a £1bn support offer to guarantee tailored help into work”, the spokesperson said.

Such help would ensure people were “supported to live with dignity and independence, while making sure everyone who can realise the benefits of work is expected and supported to do so”, they added.