§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his policy for fees paid to doctors working for the Benefits Agency Medical Service and on the progress of talks between Sema/NDA on the level of fees. [83606]
§ Angela EagleThe provision of medical services was contracted out to Sema Group Medical Services on 1 September. There are now no doctors employed by the Benefits Agency.
The question of fees to be paid to the doctors is an issue for negotiation between the doctors, their representatives, and the companies employing them (Sema Group Medical Services and Nestor Disability Analysis).
Discussions regarding fees have taken place between Sema Group Medical Services and the British Medical Association. Although agreement has not yet been reached discussions with individual doctors are ongoing.