§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the total sum paid in each of the last five years to doctors for examining DSS claimants and appellants;[37534]
(2) What remuneration is paid, and how it is calculated, to doctors who examine claimants for DSS benefits and appeals; and if she will make a statement. [37535]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe administration of the Benefits Agency Medical Services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
394WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Marshall, dated 7 April 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what remuneration is paid, and how is it calculated, to doctors who examine claimants for DSS benefits and appeals, and what is the total sum in each of the last five years to doctors for examining claimants and appellants.Doctors who conduct examinations for Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance are paid £47.00 per home visit. Doctors conducting examinations for Incapacity Benefit/Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance are paid £30.70 per hour if the medical is performed at a BA Medical Centre, and £37.90 per one and a half hours if the medical is performed by the visit to the customer's address. In addition, doctors are paid £37.90 per one and a half hours for War Pension medical examinations at the customer's home.Information on the cost of the fees paid to doctors in each of the last four years is contained in the table below:
Year Total costs (£) 1997–98 118,664,242 1996–97 20,593,749 1995–96 16,788,556 1994–95 12,762,000 1993–94 n/a 1Up to February 1998. n/a = Information not available.
I hope that this is helpful.