Recommendation 8

We recommend that as a part of a systems-based approach to safeguarding, the Department introduce an explicit requirement that all significant new policies and policy changes, including those that fall outside the disability service area, are assessed by the Chief Medical Advisor’s team to understand their potential health impact on claimants. This should be accompanied by an appropriate expansion in resources for the team if needed. In light of the Government’s commitment to improve safeguarding practices, to accompany the safe implementation of health and disability benefit reforms, we suggest it would be appropriate for the Department to consider reinvesting a portion of the estimated savings to fund this work. (Recommendation, Paragraph 39)