§ 25. Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make a statement on the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services; [1722]
197W(2) if companies invited to take over the work of the Benefits Agency medical services will be encouraged to take over the adjudication functions of the agency; [766]
(3) what proposals his Department has to contract out the adjudication function of the Benefits Agency medical services. [736]
§ Mr. Roger EvansMany adjudicating medical practitioners are already fee-paid doctors working under contract. It is proposed to include the adjudication functions of the Benefits Agency medical services in the scope of work to be contracted out. This will be set out in the statement of service requirements to be issued shortly by the Benefits Agency. Including the medical adjudication function in the contract offers the greatest prospect of increased efficiency, while safeguarding the integrity and standards of decision making and protecting customers' rights. Decisions must continue to be taken as now in accordance with the facts and the law, with rights of appeal to an independent body.
We see no reason in principle to rule out involvement of the private sector in decision making. But we will want to examine this very carefully on a case-by-case basis to ensure that standards of decision making are maintained or improved. We make no presumption about the future extent of private sector involvement.