§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there have been any demonstrable savings in income support and disability benefits since the Benefits Agency Medical Services were contracted out to SchlumbergerSema. [HL4967]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamProcessing times have improved on sickness and disability benefits since the contracting out of medical services to SchlumbergerSema. The National Audit Office in its recent reportProgress in improving the medical assessment of Incapacity and Disability benefits (HC1141) estimates that this has resulted in a one-off saving to the taxpayer of some £29 million and an annual saving of some £21 million.
47WA
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there are any conflicts of interest between SchlumbergerSema and any of its subsidiary companies with particular regard to decisions made in industrial injury benefit and disability benefit cases. [HL4968]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamThe role of the medical services doctor is to provide an independent, impartial opinion on the medical aspects of benefit claims. The evidence they provide forms just one part of the evidence used by decision-makers in determining benefit entitlement.
In addition our contract with SchlumbergerSema contains a specific clause requiring them to use all reasonable endeavours to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What services SchlumbergerSema provides for the Department for Constitutional Affairs. [HL4911]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Lord Filkin)The Department for Constitutional Affairs also replies on behalf of its associated offices and the Court Service.
Since 2001–02, SchlumbergerSema has provided occupational health services, project and programme management and consultancy services to the department.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether doctors employed as medical examiners by SchlumbergerSema are accountable to the General Medical Council. [HL4966]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)It is for SchlumbergerSema to decide if the medical examiners they employ should be medically qualified and registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC provides guidance on the duties of a doctor registered with them, and makes it clear that serious or persistent failure to meet these standards may put their registration at risk.