Lord WINSTANLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
- (i) how many medical examinations are carried out annually by the Department of Health and Social Security regional medical officers and assistant medical officers on persons currently advised by their GPs to refrain from work by reason of medical incapacity;
- (ii) what percentage of these people are found, in the opinion of the Department's doctors, to be fit to return to work;
- (iii) how many of these do, in fact, return to work;
- (iv) what is the Government's estimate of the saving to the National Insurance Fund, brought about by this use of highly-trained medical manpower.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLThe information requested is as follows:
(i) In 1975, the last year for which figures have been published, 740,000 persons who were supporting claims to benefit with evidence of their incapacity for work, were referred to the Regional Medical Services in England, Wales and Scotland. 300,000 medical examinations were carried out.
(ii)Of the 440,000 not examined
224,000 were considered incapable of work on the basis of further medical evidence obtained;
46,000 ended their claims after receipt of notice to attend, examination; and 170,000 failed to attend for examination.
Of the 300,000 examined
212,000 were considered incapable of work;
839WA20,000 were considered incapable of their normal occupation, but not incapable of alternative work; and 68,000 were considered not incapable of work.
Thus, 29 per cent. (that is, 88,000) of those examined were, in the opinion of the examining medical officers, fit to return to work.
(iii) Figures are not available to show how many of those found fit for work do, in fact, return to work immediately (as opposed, for example, to registering as unemployed) but certainly the great majority do.
(iv) The saving to the National Insurance Fund will depend on the period for which, and the rate at which, benefit would have continued in payment but for the examination.