Work Capability Assessment: Medical Examinations
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to increase the capacity of the Health Assessment Advisory Service to carry out Work Capability reassessments; and what service level agreements are in place to ensure that Serco meets the requirements of its contract for this work.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
We have increased the recruitment and training of additional healthcare professionals across all suppliers, alongside improvements to workforce planning to better match resources to demand. Assessments are delivered through a multi-channel approach ensuring that individuals are assessed in the most appropriate way based on their circumstances.
The department continues to monitor volumes closely and works with suppliers to ensure sufficient capacity is in place to reduce waiting times and support timely reassessment activity. In addition, improvements to digital systems and scheduling processes are helping to increase productivity and make more efficient use of available assessor time.
The department also works closely with its suppliers, including Serco, under robust contractual arrangements. Details of these contracts are publicly available here. Service level agreements (SLAs) are set out within the contracts and performance against these are monitored on a continuous basis through regular management information, formal performance reviews and governance meetings. Where performance falls below expected standards, the department can apply contractual remedies, including improvement plans and, where appropriate, financial remedies.
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