§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many medical assessments have been undertaken at the Sheffield DHSS office this year, broken down by month.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of medical assessments is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 28 June 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many medical assessments have been undertaken at the Sheffield DHSS office this year, broken down by month.
Firstly, I should explain that I have taken your question as referring to the Medical Boarding Centre located in Queens St. Sheffield. This is the office that deals with medical assessments for the area.
The information that you have requested has only been recorded since 2 February 1993. I am therefore unable to provide you with any figures for the month of January 1993. Additionally the figure provided for the month of June 1993 represents a count of medical assessments completed up to 18 June 1993. The table below sets out, by month, the number of medical assessments that have been undertaken in 1993. The numbers quoted arc in respect of Severe Disablement Allowance, Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit customers.
Month Numbers February 236 March 334 April 357 May 387 June 200 I hope that this reply is helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.