§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the current operating difficulties in the Benefits Agency Medical Services. [61874]
§ Angela EagleThe provision of Medical Services was contracted out to Sema Group on 1 September 1998. One of the objectives of contracting out medical services was to improve service provision. With this in mind the targets that have been set in the contract reflect the improvements the Department is seeking. Sema, however, are not yet achieving the targets that have been set for Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, and Industrial Injuries. The contract recognises that service improvements cannot be achieved overnight and allows a six month period before remedies are applied for failure to deliver to contract levels.
Sema Group have developed a Service Improvement Plan which demonstrates how continuous improvements will be made to the service. This is being closely monitored by the Contract Management Team and we are regularly apprised of progress.
In addition there have been some difficulties in respect of payment of fees to doctors for the work they have performed since 1 September 1998. As a result of new procedures some payments have been delayed or wrongly calculated. Sema have acted quickly and made additional payments where errors have been identified. They are also improving procedures to ensure that errors do not occur in the future.
We are monitoring the situation closely.