§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many qualified doctors were employed three years ago and currently by the Benefits Agency medical service; and how many more he expects to employ to cope with the introduction of incapacity benefit. [17721]
§ Mr. HagueThe administration of the Benefits Agency medical service is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 5 April 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about doctors employed by the Benefits Agency Medical Services.All the doctors employed by Medical Services are fully qualified registered medical practitioners who have several years experience. Three years ago (1992) the Department of Social Security employed 211 Medical Officers. As at January 1995 the Benefits Agency employed 182 Medical Advisers (previously known as Medical Officers).The Benefits Agency Medical Services has already recruited 91 additional doctors for Incapacity Benefit and is expecting to recruit a further 60 from a second recruitment exercise which has just been completed, making a total of 151. The additional 151 doctors have been recruited initially on two year fixed term appointments.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the Benefits Agency medical service(a) three years ago and (b) currently; and what estimates have been made of costs over the next three years. [17720]
§ Mr. HagueThe administration of the Benefits Agency medical service is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 5 April 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the cost of the Benefits Agency Medical Services.1218WThe internal record of Medical Services show costs in the year 1991/92 were £60m.It should be noted that three years ago the costs of Medical Services were included in Benefits Agency central budgets. Not all the costs of the Medical Services were separated from the costs of other Benefits Agency Directorates. For example, this figure does not include accommodation costs, administrative staff costs, bulk purchased supplies, support services etc. It does however include costs of medical evidence obtained in connection with Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and War Pensions which have since been re-allocated to the appropriate directorate or Agency.The cost of the Benefits Agency Medical Services for the current year is £38m. The drop in the costs is as a result of the devolution of costs of medical evidence in connection with Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and War Pensions to the appropriate directorate or Agency.The estimated cost for the year 1995/96 is £60m. This figure includes the re-allocation of administrative support costs into Medical Services from elsewhere in the Benefits Agency; the costs of the additional volume of claims being reviewed for the new Incapacity Benefit; and the additional volume of claims expected for disability benefits.It is projected that the costs of the Benefits Agency Medical Services over the following two years will be £70m per year. The projected rise takes into account the increased volumes of claims being reviewed for Incapacity Benefit.I hope you find this reply helpful.