§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many medical examination reports were graded A, B and C in each of the last three years in each of the three Sema contract areas; and if he will make a statement. [153573]
§ Mr. BayleyMedical Services conduct a national programme of audit on a random selection of cases. This yields results that are statistically significant by contract area, at benefit level and on a quarterly basis. Viewed across all areas of work carried out by Medical Services, an analysis of this audit shows the following results:
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Grade Contract area A B C September 1998 to August 1999 North 78.8 14.0 7.4 South West 82.6 12.1 5.4 South East 78.4 16.9 4.8 September 1999 to August 2000 North 78.0 15.6 6.4 South West 81.6 12.5 7.0 South East 74.2 19.6 6.3
Grade Contract area A B C September 2000 to February 2001 North 77.9 15.2 6.9 South West 83.6 10.7 5.7 South East 80.0 13.9 5.3 Note:
Figures may not add up to 100 per cent. because of rounding up or down to one decimal place.
It should be noted that during 1999, Medical Services were refining their quality audit system, and as a result applied more stringent quality criteria. This is a factor in any apparent deterioration in performance between 1998–99 and 1999–2000.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he has made with Sema to ensure doctors making medical examinations are given reports on(a) appeal outcomes and (b) grading of their medical reports; and if he will make a statement. [153575]
§ Mr. BayleyIn response to the recommendations of the Social Security Select Committee (SSSC) in its report on Medical Services, the Department of Social Security's Chief Medical Adviser and the President of the Appeals Service are establishing a formal process for feedback on the quality standards of medical reports in appeal cases. Interim arrangements for feedback have been in place since July 2000 and five cases have so far been referred.
All cases referred to the Chief Medical Adviser are forwarded to Sema for information, further investigation and remedial action with the doctor concerned, if appropriate.
Sema Medical Services monitor the quality standards of medical reports of all their doctors on a rolling programme, to volumes which are statistically significant over a three-month rolling period. The outcome of monitoring is recorded, and feedback given to each individual doctor on his or her performance. Where this has fallen below the standard expected, the doctor is given appropriate advice by an experienced full-time colleague; if necessary, arrangements are made for remedial training.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of doctors have completed the required training in(a) mental health, (b) disability awareness and (c) musculo-skeletal examinations in each of the last three years in each of the three Sema contract areas; and if he will make a statement. [153557]
§ Mr. BayleyThese training modules were all developed during 2000 (year two of the contract). Training in these topics has been delivered in 2000 and 2001. The proportion of doctors who are currently carrying out work on the Benefits Agency contract and who have completed the training are as follows:
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Percentage of doctors who have completed the required training Contract area North South East South West Assessment of people with mental health problems 91 85 86 Behaviours, attitudes and sensitivities for dealing with people with disabilities 89 85 86 Clinical skills in the assessment of musculo-skeletal problems 92 87 91 Any doctor who started with Sema Medical Services before 31 December 2000 will have completed their training by the end of June this year.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of DLA applications were decided after(a) medical examination and (b) scrutiny in each Sema contract area in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [153574]
§ Mr. BayleyThis information is not available.