Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Friday, 16 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 2004. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 26 January 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to improve access for incapacities benefit claimants to personal capability assessment tests by introducing peripatetic surgeries in rural areas.

Answer: Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to improve access for incapacity benefit claimants to personal capability assessment tests by introducing peripatetic surgeries in rural areas. [149716] Maria Eagle: Under the contract for provision of Medical Services, SchlumbergerSema must ensure that customers are not required to travel for more than ninety minutes by public transport, on a single journey, for an examination, unless previously agreed with the customer; SchlumbergerSema will pay all reasonable and actual expenses to customers who attend for an examination and apply for reimbursement. Information leaflets are provided to customers, advising them to contact the Client Help desk if they expect to experience difficulties in travelling to the Medical Examination Centre. Under certain circumstances, SchlumbergerSema will authorise the refund of taxi fares if agreed in advance with the Client Help desk; domiciliary visits can also be arranged, where it is determined that a customer is unable to travel on medical grounds. We have no plans to change these arrangements at present.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 417 c101-2W; 149716
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Access Incapacity benefit Medical examinations Rural areas SchlumbergerSema
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk