§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many medical members of disability appeal tribunals are involved in examining claimants for the purpose of the all-work test. [11087]
§ Mr. Roger Evans[pursuant to his reply, 23 January 1997, c. 719]: A comparison of Benefits Agency medical services and independent tribunal service records indicates that 88 doctors who perform work for Benefits Agency medical services on a fee-paid sessional basis involving incapacity benefit are also members of disability appeal tribunals.
Sources:
Independent Tribunal Service.
Benefits Agency Medical Services.
Note:
Data are provisional and subject to change.
565W
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances medical members of disability appeal tribunals are involved in examining claimants for the purpose of the all-work test. [13327]
§ Mr. Evans[pursuant to his reply, 30 January 1997, c. 362–63]: Medical members of disability appeal tribunals may be involved in examing claimants for the purposes of the all-work test if they are qualified and contracted to do so by Benefits Agency medical services on whose behalf such examinations are carried out.
Sources:
Independent Tribunal Service. Benefits Agency Medical Services.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) medical members of disability appeal tribunals and (b) doctors appointed to sit as medical assessors in appeals involving the all work test are employed by the Benefits Agency; and in what capacity. [11086]
§ Mr. Evans[pursuant to the reply, 27 January, 1997c. 107]: No doctor who is currently employed by the Benefits Agency medical services, in a salaried capacity, may be appointed as a medical member of a disability appeal tribunal or as a medical assessor.
A comparison of Benefits Agency medical services and independent tribunal service records indicates that 241 doctors who perform work for Benefits Agency medical services on a fee-paid sessional basis are also members of disability appeal tribunals. These doctors do not sit as a members of the tribunals which are considering cases in which they have been involved in connection with their work for Benefits Agency medical services.
Information on the number of doctors who perform work for Benefits Agency medical services on a fee-paid sessional basis who also act as medical assessors to Social Security Appeals tribunals is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a doctor who performs work for Benefits Agency medical services on a fee-paid sessional basis which involves incapacity benefit is not eligible for appointment as a medical assessor. On appointment as a medical assessor, it is emphasised that an individual cannot undertake sessional work for Benefits Agency medical services in connection with incapacity benefit because of the possible conflict of interest.
Sources:
Independant Tribunal Service. Benefits Agency Medical Services.
Note
Data are provisional and subject to change.