§ Mr. Alan HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what process he plans to oversee the clinical standards of service provided by contractors providing medical services for the Benefits Agency. [17620]
§ Mr. BurtI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 19 February,Official Report, column 591.
§ Mr. HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which private sector companies took part in the Benefits Agency medical services partnering project; on what basis they were chosen; and if he will place a copy of their reports in the Library. [17618]
§ Mr. BurtThe private sector companies which took part in the partnering project were BMI, Capita and Serco. Seventeen companies responded to an advertisement in the national press and were sent a questionnaire which was designed to identify specific strengths and formed the basis of a formal sift. Particular emphasis was placed upon practical experience, commitment to quality and customer service.
The companies reports are commercial in confidence and will not be placed in the Library. To do so would prejudice the effective conduct of commercial activities.
§ Mr. HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information has been(a) requested and (b) obtained by his Department from each of the private companies contracting to provide medical services to the Benefits Agency concerning (i) safeguarding the records of benefit claimants and (ii) the broad business objectives of the contractors. [17616]
§ Mr. BurtI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 February,Official Report, columns 203–4.
The broad business objectives of the successful contractor(s) in relation to the delivery of a medical service to the Department must conform to the objectives of the Benefits Agency. The shortlisted companies have provided copies of policy statements relating to specific areas of the business to be contracted out.
§ Mr. HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to start an evaluation of the performance of contractors providing medical services to the Benefits Agency; and by what methods this evaluation will be carried out. [17619]
§ Mr. BurtThe formal contract management procedure to evaluate performance will be in place at the time of the handover of the business to the successful contractor(s). The procedure is currently in the process of development.
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§ Mr. HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what net savings he expects to accrue from the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical service. [17615]
§ Mr. BurtI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 7 November 1996,Official Report, column 681.
§ Mr. HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to begin the process of system audits and computer audits in each site used by contractors providing medical services to the Benefits Agency; and at what intervals he plans to repeat these audits. [17617]
§ Mr. BurtAudits of the IT systems will commence when the medical service is handed over to the successful contractor(s). The procedure is currently in the process of development.