§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to change the criteria currently used for the recruitment of doctors employed by the Benefits Agency. [9137]
§ Mr. BurtI have today approved proposals for the Benefits Agency to trial new arrangements for the recruitment of full-time medical advisers involved in dealing with claims for incapacity benefit. Operational experience so far has indicated that experience in particular areas of medicine is as important as more general clinical experience of the assessment of capacity for work. The initiative will provide the agency with the opportunity to test out the possibilities of operating some flexibility to ensure a continuing capability to recruit appropriate medical support.
361WThe trial will take place in Newcastle and in the Manchester and Merseyside area, and involve the recruitment of up to 20 doctors. Applicants will be required to have three years post-registration experience, including at least one year in general practice and at least six months experience of psychiatry or rehabilitation- 362W occupational health medicine rather than the current five years general practice experience currently required. All doctors recruited under the trials will undergo the current rigorous training and approval process and receive additional monitoring as part of the evaluation of the trials.