Work and Pensions

Atos Healthcare

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value is of his Department’s contract with Atos Healthcare; and when the contract will next be reviewed. [12280]

Maria Miller Minister for Disabled People: The Department for Work and Pensions re-awarded Atos Origin IT Services Ltd., trading as Atos Healthcare, a new contract to perform medical services on behalf of the Department from 1 September 2005. The total cost of these services amounts to approximately £100 million per annum. This figure not only covers the total number of examinations undertaken across all benefits, but also costs relating to written and verbal medical advice, fixed overheads, administrative costs, investment in new technology and other service improvements. The contract covered a seven year period with an option to extend for a further five years and is therefore currently under review.

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether (a) any disciplinary action has been pursued and (b) any complaints have been received and investigated by his Department in respect of Atos Healthcare in the last two years. [12281]

Chris Grayling Minister for Employment: Following completion of investigations, if appropriate, a range of actions can be taken including remedial action which may involve re-training or removal from the list of approved health care professionals and employment terminated. Depending upon the findings ¦66of the investigation the General Medical Council may also be informed. A statistical breakdown is not available.

The Department as a whole does not keep statistics on the number of complaints made about Atos Healthcare, however Atos Healthcare themselves have received 7,476 complaints over the last two years. For the last quarter ending May 2010 the total complaints, which includes complaints relating to accommodation, staff and operational processes, compared to the number of medical assessments completed was 0.57%.

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information his Department holds on any bonuses or incentives paid by Atos Healthcare to staff undertaking incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance medical assessments. [12282]

Chris Grayling Minster for Employment: The role of the health care professional is to provide an independent, impartial assessment of the effects of a customer's illness or disability on their everyday lives. Neither Atos Healthcare nor their health care professionals receive any kind of bonuses or financial incentive in relation to the outcome of benefit claims.

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department plans to review the terms of the Medical Services Contract with Atos Healthcare in relation to the trial of reassessments for incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance medical entitlements. [12283]

Chris Grayling Minister for Employment: The Department is currently negotiating the terms of the services to reassess incapacity benefit recipients.