HC Deb 24 July 1996 vol 282 c587W
Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has for the future of the Benefits Agency medical services currently based at Grove house, Swansea. [38997]

Mr. Burt

The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alan Williams, dated 23 July 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to our recent Parliamentary Question asking what proposals he has for the future of the Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) currently based at Grove House, Swansea. At present there are no plans to close down the existing operations at Grove House, Swansea in advance of the contractorisation. BAMS regularly review the use of resources to ensure maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness. Any changes to the use of Grove House in the light of changing work volumes or staffing levels will be made in full consultation with staff and their representatives. I hope you find this reply helpful.

Mr. Alan Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what safeguards will be put in place under the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services to ensure that personal medical information obtained about benefit claimants will remain confidential to those who hold the patients' fully informed consent to receive it and will be used exclusively for purposes related to the claim for state benefit. [39188]

Mr. Burt

The Department places strong emphasis on customer confidentiality and would demand the same standards from the successful or contractors. The contractor will have a mandatory contractual requirement to confirm to the security policy of the Department which is based on Government security policy.

The successful bidder or bidders will be required to ensure that any data or information passed to them by the Department or a third party, or revealed during the course of the contract, is used only for the purpose directly relating to the Department's business and only by the appropriate staff.

Rigorous monitoring systems will be put in place to ensure on-going compliance with the requirements.