§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any form of evidence of sickness, other than that of a qualified medical practitioner on the standard DHSS form, is accepted by his Department for purpose of paying sickness benefit.
§ Mr. OrmeMost sickness benefit claims are decided on the basis of medical evidence issued by registered medical practitioners on the standard DHSS forms. However, the independent adjudicating 57W authorities will consider any other evidence, both medical and lay, when deciding whether a claimant has proved that he is incapable of work for the purposes of a claim to sickness benefit. Only evidence provided by registered medical practitioners on the standard forms and evidence of in-patient treatment in hospital are acceptable for periods of anticipated incapacity.