§ Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what advice she has received from the Benefits Agency Medical Services in the Yorkshire Region concerning the delay in applicants receiving medical examinations for respiratory diseases; and if she will make a statement; [21624]
(2) what was the average length of time applicants in the Normanton constituency waited for medical examinations for respiratory diseases (a) for the six months from January to June, and (b) from July to December 1997; and if she will make a statement; [21625]
(3) what action she intends to take to promote efficiency in the Yorkshire office of the Benefits Agency Medical Services; and if she will make a statement; [21626]
(4) what proposals she plans to introduce to ensure a sufficient number of trained doctors to carry out medical examinations in the Yorkshire Regions for chronic bronchitis and emphysema; and if she will make a statement. [21627]
§ 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 the hon. Member.
201WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Bill O'Brien, dated 12 January 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary questions about the operation of Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) in the Yorkshire area.Performance in all areas of the Benefits Agency (BA), including the clearance of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit referrals in respiratory disease cases, is routinely monitored. There were temporary problems with examinations in the Yorkshire region earlier this year due to recruitment of new staff and a reorganisation of boundaries within BAMS. Appropriate action has been taken by local management to deal with those problems.Information on performance targets is available for the Leeds Medical Services Centre (MSC), which includes Normanton. BAMS are set national performance targets when dealing with claims to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) from clients suffering from respiratory diseases. The performance of Leeds MSC against these national targets since January is set out on the attached table. I would like to reassure you that BAMS is fully committed to continuing this improvement.Since July, there has been no shortage of suitably trained doctors to carry out medical examinations in the Yorkshire Regions for chronic bronchitis and emphysema.Much of the delay in dealing with respiratory disease cases is not directly related to arrangements for the actual medical examination. Once a case is at the examination stage it normally takes only 2–3 weeks to arrange and carry out the relevant medical procedure. However, it may be necessary to obtain further medical evidence before any examination is carried out and it is here that delays can occur, many of which are outside the BA's control. There is a legal requirement, for example, to obtain original X-rays when the client has had an X-ray taken during the last 18 months. This is connected with radiation protection and avoids the necessity for further exposure. Hospital case notes, consultant's reports, etc may also be needed.I hope this reply is helpful.
Clearance of industrial injuries disablement benefit referrals in respiratory disease cases Percentage cleared in 33 working days Percentage cleared in 70 working days Target 60 90 January to June 19.2 46.7 July to November 45.9 91.4