Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 36
36
Not Addressed
Devise a systematic way to record and annually publish serious harms and deaths
Recommendation
We recommend the Department work with its Chief Medical Advisor, DWP’s Caldicott Guardian, and coroners to devise a way to record more systematically all cases of serious harms and deaths where the individual affected was in receipt of working-age benefits. The Department should then commit to publishing this information annually to aid transparency. (Recommendation, Paragraph 152)
Government Response Summary
The government noted the Chief Medical Advisor's existing involvement in public Coroner reports and stated it is reviewing and exploring how to strengthen their roles, and how the Caldicott Guardian will be included in ethical data considerations, but did not commit to systematically recording or annually publishing all cases of serious harms and deaths.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Since 2024 the Chief Medical Advisor has been actively involved in all departmental responses to Coroner-issued Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports. These reports are already part of the public record, reinforcing transparency and accountability. A review is currently under consideration to assess and strengthen the Chief Medical Advisor’s role in this process. As part of this, the Department will also explore how it engages with coroners to further enhance learning and prevent future harm. The role of the Caldicott Guardian was established in DWP for the first time in 2024 and continues to evolve. The Department is currently exploring how the Caldicott Guardian will be included in wider departmental ethical data considerations, including relevant commercial contracts.