HC Deb 10 January 1996 vol 269 cc269-70W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average period of general practice experience of a Benefits Agency medical service doctor in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Wales and (c) England. [6260]

Mr. Andrew Mitchell

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ron Davis, dated 9 January 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what is the average period of General Practice experience of a Benefits Agency Medical Service (BAMS) Doctor in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Wales and (c) England. All BAMS Doctors should have at least five years experience in General Practice, Occupational Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine or similar related disciplines, when recruited. In some cases, however, the Benefits Agency will accept a minimum of three years for fee paid Doctors who have been working in a relevant specialist field. Precise details of the number of years experience obtained in General Practice are not kept, but it is a prerequisite that BAMS Doctors must be experienced medical practitioners who have, since full registration, consolidated their clinical skills. I hope you find my reply helpful.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the maximum period of time which can elapse between a doctor's experience of general practice and employment by the Benefits Agency medical services; [6261]

(2) what is the minimum experience of general practice required for a Benefits Agency medical service doctor. [6262]

Mr. Mitchell

The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ron Davies, dated 9 January 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about what is the maximum period of time which can elapse between a Doctor's experience of General Practice and employment by the Benefits Agency Medical Service (BAMS) and what is the minimum experience of General Practice required for a BAMS doctor. There is no specific period of time which can elapse between a Doctor's experience of General Practice and employment by the BAMS. Each case is, however, considered on its merits. Doctors, employed on a permanent basis by BAMS, are required to have at least five years experience in General Practice. The BAMS prefer fee paid Doctors to have five years experience but will, in some cases, for example, if a fee paid Doctor has been working in a relevant specialist field, accept a minimum of three years experience. I hope this reply is helpful.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of doctors who work for the Benefits Agency medical service on a part-time basis are currently in clinical practice in(a) the United kingdom, (b) Wales and (c) England; [6256]

(2) what percentage of current Benefits Agency medical service doctors are specialists in the field of mental health. [6258]

Mr. Roger Evans

Information is available only at disproportionate cost.