Contracted-out Health Assessments 2021-03-08
2021-03-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the accuracy and efficiency of health assessments for employment and support allowance and personal independence payment conducted by private companies.
What recent assessment has her Department made of the accuracy and efficiency of contracted-out health assessments for employment and support allowance and personal independence payment?
Throughout the pandemic, disability benefits have remained open. We are committed to ensuring high-quality service for claimants and continue to complete paper-based assessments where possible. Telephone and video assessment trials are underway.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a recent assessment or evaluation of accuracy and efficiency
Ensuring Benefits Remain Open
Commitment To High-Quality Service
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is dissatisfaction with outsourced disability benefit assessments, citing poor accuracy and excessive wait times for appeals, leading to financial hardship. A high success rate in appeal cases indicates potential flaws in initial assessments.
The outsourcing of assessments for employment and support allowance and personal independence payments to companies such as Capita has been a travesty. Constituents tell me how they have been signed off work by their GP, only for non-specialist assessors to refuse their claims. Appeals take excessive time causing severe hardship. Coventry Law Centre found 90% of appeals successful. Will the Minister scrap these cruel assessments and bring in a framework treating disabled people with dignity and respect?
We have increased support for those with disabilities by £3 billion. Assessors are trained and experienced, and 92% of claimants find their experience satisfactory or better. The Department closely monitors the quality independently.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to scrapping outsourced assessments or implementing a new framework
Increased Support For Disabilities
Assessors' Training And Experience
Response accuracy