Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Charlotte Leslie (Conservative) on Monday, 2 February 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 February 2015 (named day). It was answered by Lord Harper (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 February 2015 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

ME/CFS: Mental Health Services

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of ATOS's use of cognitive behavioural therapy for people suffering from Myalgic Encephalopathy and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Answer

Atos have contracts with the Department to conduct assessments pertaining to different welfare benefits. Within these contracts, Atos do not use or conduct any form of therapy with any claimant and they do not refer claimants for any therapy.

DWP’s internal occupational Employee Assistance Programme provides the opportunity for face to face counselling with staff where it is appropriate. Some counselling practitioners may use CBT techniques in their sessions depending on the counsellor’s training and preferred therapy techniques. Employee occupational and health records are confidential and DWP has not carried out any analysis of the efficacy of the use of CBT for its employees. Our understanding is that the use of CBT is minimal and therefore any analysis would not be statistically significant.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
222856
Session
2014-15
Subjects
ME/CFS Mental health services
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk