A PENSIONER has been left without compensation or disability allowance after a medical examiner acting for the Government ruled he was not suffering from the asbestosis that had been diagnosed by his GP and a hospital consultant.

A PENSIONER has been left without compensation or disability allowance after a medical examiner acting for the Government ruled he was not suffering from the asbestosis that had been diagnosed by his GP and a hospital consultant.

James Bosworthick, 77, of Magdalen Road, Hadleigh, said he had been pushed from pillar to post between Government departments in his quest for help.

Mr Bosworthick said his GP had been treating him for asthma as he became increasingly short of breath and had sent him to Ipswich Hospital for further tests.

In April, 2001, a hospital consultant diagnosed asbestosis and advised him to apply to the Government for compensation.

Mr Bosworthick then completed all the necessary forms. He was then sent to be examined by a medical officer, who said

Mr Bosworthick did not have asbestosis.

Then he got a letter from the DSS saying he could not claim industrial diseases benefit because he had not worked in one of the hazardous jobs on its list since July 5, 1948.

Mr Bosworthick appealed against the decision. In February this year the Department for Work and Pensions turned him down, but advised that he could appeal again.