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Scrap ‘back to work’ test plan for cancer patients , says Citizens Advice

7 December 2011

Responding to government plans to force cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy to take medical tests and face 'back-to-work' interviews, Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“It’s shocking that cancer patients going through gruelling chemotherapy treatment should now be expected to prove they are too ill to work. The additional stress and anxiety this will cause threatens to drastically set back people’s recovery. It’s a brutal body blow at a time when people most need a helping hand, and the government must reject this proposal now.”

About the Citizens Advice partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support:

Macmillan funds 78 Citizens Advice Bureaux to provide advice on welfare benefits to people affected by cancer. Caseworkers advise clients about all benefits they are entitled to and provide help claiming them. They also ensure that they are aware of any available grants which could assist them, and can provide advice on other issues, for example debt, if necessary. Between January 2007 and April 2011 over 38,000 clients were helped, receiving income gain of over £77 million, with £1.1m of debt written off.

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see www.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.9 million problems from April 2011 to March 2012. For full 2011/2012 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,500 service outlets across England and Wales.