HC Deb 21 November 1985 vol 87 cc288-9W
Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants requiring medical examination in order to establish eligibility for benefit have been referred to consultants in each district health authority in England and Wales and in each health board in Scotland in the last year.

Mr. Newton

I regret that the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the terms under which consultants undertake for his Department medical examinations in order to establish the eligibility of those claiming benefit.

Mr. Hayhoe

Consultants may be asked to examine claimants for benefit on an ad hoc basis which is outside their normal contractual commitments to their health authority. Under their terms and conditions of service (copies of which are in the Library), they are entitled to charge a fee for such work, which is known as category II work and for which there is an established scale of fees based on the National Health Service fees recommended by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body. We are currently reviewing the operation, costs and benefits of the category II arrangements.

Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether a claimant who refuses to attend a private hospital or clinic to which he is referred for a medical examination, to establish eligibility for benefit, is automatically asked to attend a National Health Service hospital instead; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

Claimants are referred to a consultant for medical examination. The place of the examination is entirely a matter for the consultant concerned. Should a claimant object to a particular consultant, alternative arrangements can be considered.

Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost to his Department of fees paid to consultants for undertaking medical examinations in order to establish the eligibility of those claiming benefit.

Mr. Newton

I regret that the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, since our central records of fees paid do not distinguish between GPs and consultants.