Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 29
In response to this Report, we ask the Government to outline the methodology used to...
Recommendation
In response to this Report, we ask the Government to outline the methodology used to determine when Internal Process Reviews are carried out, and how it has improved its collection of data on deaths and serious harms since the NAO report on Information held by the Department for Work & Pensions on deaths by suicide of benefit claimants in 2020. In addition, DWP should publish anonymised data annually on all instances Health assessments for benefits 89 of deaths or serious harms associated with health assessments, disaggregated to show incidence of suicide, the issues that led to these deaths, and the steps it has taken to remedy issues raised.
Government Response Summary
The government responds by stating that the Department's assessments are not comparable to clinical assessments and that it routinely carries out evaluations of policy changes. It claims it would be extremely difficult to objectively separate the impact of the process on mental health from other confounding factors.
Paragraph Reference:
29
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Health assessments for benefits 7 comparing them to assessments undertaken elsewhere in Government, such as social care. It should also ensure external researchers have access to good quality, anonymised data to complement this with independent research. (Paragraph 38) The Department’s assessments are not comparable to clinical assessments, because these focus on functional impairment, as set out in regulations. There are a range of ways in which government reviews health impacts, from the clinician in a health setting to a more metric or qualitative assessment in other settings. A direct comparison would not be feasible as there is not a like-for-like assessment. The Department does routinely carry out evaluations of policy changes, including many where external researchers are engaged. Methods used for each of these are designed to be appropriate to the specific type of intervention being evaluated. However, it would be extremely difficult to objectively separate the impact of the process on mental health from other confounding factors.