Patsy McGlone 21st June 2012

Written Answer from the Minister for Social Development

Work Capability Assessments

Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail the qualifications that people who conduct the Work Capability Assessments are required to have to carry out assessments on people with (i) mental health disabilities; (ii) anxiety disorders; (iii) respiratory conditions ; (iv) cardiovascular disease; (v) chronic fatigue syndrome; and (vi) arthritic and rheumatic conditions.

(AQW 12851/11-15)

Minister for Social Development:  The qualifications required of healthcare professionals who conduct Work Capability Assessments are:

(a) in the case of a Medical Practitioner:
to hold a current registration to practice in the United Kingdom;
to have 3 years post-registration full-time equivalent experience across a range of relevant clinical disciplines (within the last 6 years prior to an advertisement for positions being placed); and
to hold a full and unconditional registration with the United Kingdom General Medical Council.

(b) in the case of a nurse:
to be fully registered, without restrictions or conditions, with the Nursing and Midwifery Council; and
to have a minimum of 3 years post registration experience.

(c) for all other healthcare professionals:
to be fully registered, without restrictions or conditions, with the relevant licensing body;
to have a minimum of 3 years post registration experience;
to possess good communication skills;
to have an understanding of customer care issues; and
to have an understanding of disability issues.

Whilst healthcare professionals are not required to have specialist qualifications in areas (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), as part of their initial training every practitioner is provided with specific training material and is given access to Evidence Based Medicine protocols, which include protocols on a number of mental health, cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurology and rheumatology conditions, and include one specifically addressing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

ENDS