§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why his Department has employed AMI Healthcare Group to carry out medical health checks of staff at some benefit offices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe health screening is a three-month pilot exercise to assess the costs and benefits of this provision for staff. AMI Healthcare Group was selected from a number of leading companies in the field of corporate health screening invited to submit tenders.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list his Department's benefit and other 317W offices where the AMI Healthcare Group is carrying out medical health checks on the staff; what is the cost to his Department per individual; and what is the total cost to his Department.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe estimated 3,000 members of staff participating in the health screening exercise are from our local offices at Ayr, Basildon, Devonport, Edmonton, Gateshead, Glasgow (Springburn), Hull (West), Manchester (Sale), Mansfield, Norwich (Mountergate), Poole, Rotherham (South), St. Helens, Southampton, Telford, Worcester, central offices at Blackpool and Newcastle, the Information Technology Services Agency at Lytham St. Annes, the London South regional office and London headquarters offices. To disclose the costs of the exercise at this stage would prejudice competition should there be negotiations with other companies following an assessment of the results of the pilot programme.