§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are used by the Benefits Agency to decide whether to call an invalidity benefit claimant for a medical examination.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 15 January 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what criteria are used by the Benefits Agency to decide whether to call an Invalidity Benefit claimant for a medical examination.All claims for Invalidity Benefit are subject to scrutiny which may take the form of a reference to the Benefits Agency Medical Services to obtain a second opinion on incapacity for work. The selection of customers for reference is made impartially on the basis of standing instructions. The main considerations are the diagnosis or disorder causing incapacity for work and the length of time the person has been away from work as a result.Cases received by Medical Services are scrutinised by a doctor who decides whether or not to call a customer for a medical examination. That decision is based on the doctor's experience of the likely effects of the particular medical condition on a person's capacity for work, information that has been provided by the doctor who has signed the statement of incapacity and any information from previous references that is relevant.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.