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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations (a) he has made to Healthcall Ltd. and (b) he has received from other organisations, concerning the fee paid to consultants by Healthcall Ltd. for the medical assessment of ex-miners. [157581] Mr. Hain: Following discussions with the solicitors representing the miners, and in light of the need to attract more Respiratory Specialists to undertake medical assessments, the Department asked the Medical Reference Panel (MRP), the panel of respiratory specialists that advises the Department and claimants' solicitors on the Coal Health Compensation Scheme, to advise on appropriate rates for the work done. They proposed a rate based on the British Medical Association (BMA) scales. Healthcall has revised its rates accordingly. The rate for centre-based assessments has been increased significantly. Rates for domiciliary visits and deceased assessments were already in line with the proposed new rates and have not changed. The revised rate, which has been agreed by the MRP, will be effective from 1 April, and will be reviewed in three months time. Healthcall is also investigating how doctors can be used more flexibly to get greater volumes of MAPs completed.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

157581; 366 c420W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Compensation Coal Consultants Fees and charges Industrial diseases Medical examinations Mining Healthcall

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk