Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Freud (Conservative) on Monday, 28 November 2011.

Health: Assessors

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 14 November (WA 104), how, if Atos Healthcare does not assess patients according to their illness label, they distinguish between claimants with neurological conditions and those without.

Answer: Identification of claimants who require assessment by a practitioner with specific competencies is performed at the file work stage. This is a consideration of all the available evidence, prior to a face-to-face assessment, and often includes diagnostic information (such as the medical certificate completed by the GP) or other indicators that an individual may require a specific assessment (such as the GP completed ESA113 form or results from a previous assessment).

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 13527; 733 c18WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Monday, 14 November 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Medical examinations Social security benefits Neurology Atos Healthcare
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk