MPs’ experiencing strain on their mental health
By William Smith
Reports have been rife this week about the effect that the new expenses system, which was introduced after the MPs expenses scandal, is having on the mental health of Members of Parliament.
The doctor who tends to the health of MPs spoke out at an investigation by a committee set up to investigate the operation of the new rules. Dr. Ira Madan said that frustrations with the new expenses system (Ipsa) have played a large part in damaging MPs’ mental wellbeing.
Dr. Madan is the consultant occupational physician at the House of Commons. She said that the expenses watchdog ‘Ipsa was being raised by more and more politicians as a source of pressure.
According to Madan MPs are also increasingly fed up with being the butt of expenses-related jokes. These concerned were expressed by Dr. Madan who has been dealing with MPs for more than a decade.
‘The frustration and difficulties that members are experiencing with Ipsa are contributing to poor mental wellbeing’ Madan told the members’ expenses committee.
‘The efforts MPs are putting into their work have increased for a variety of reasons, and one of those is Ipsa, and the rewards have decreased,’ she added.
‘They are concerned that the way the expenses are reported by Ipsa is picked up by their local constituency press. There can be some vitriolic reporting,’ Madan concluded.
Whilst poor mental wellbeing is unwelcome in all circumstances I feel a surprisingly uncharacteristic lack of sympathy for MPs who find themselves stressed by these circumstances. Their colleagues, if not themselves, were blatantly abusing the old system and it is, therefore, to be expected that changes had to be made.
The implication is that their workload has been increased by Ipsa regulations but this increase comes at a time when all workers have increased work pressures imposed on them by the recession. Nurses and police officers are just two professional groups who are required to perform extra duties owing to paperwork requirements.
Wouldn’t it be great if all groups of workers had a health professional who reported back on the effects that their work responsibilities have on their mental wellbeing?
