Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 50
50
Accepted in Part
Claimants should be able to request expert medical advice for higher 'impact on life' awards.
Conclusion
Given that the Home Office has yet to use its capacity to seek expert medical advice to support determinations on these complex awards, it should be open to claimants to be able to request expert medical advice if they are seeking a higher level award and in particular as part of the review process if they dispute their level of award. (Paragraph 177) Loss of access to employment
Government Response Summary
The government uses medical evidence provided by or on behalf of applicants but does not routinely seek its own expert medical advice; however, it commits to setting out a process for claimants to obtain expert medical evidence on their own behalf where appropriate.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
We do use medical evidence to support the decision-making process. This is information obtained by us on the applicant’s behalf and by them to support their applications. We do not routinely seek to obtain expert medical advice to support determinations on complex awards as generally this would not increase the amount awarded and delay offers. We are mindful that some people did not inform their GP about status issues, and some people didn’t visit their GP at all whilst they were attempting to resolve their status issues. With that in mind, we assess the appropriateness of attempting to obtain further information. We are committed to setting out a process whereby customers can obtain expert medical evidence on their own behalf where appropriate.