To Debbie Sayers
C/o xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: VTR 3057-1244
DATE 17 April 2012
Dear Ms Sayers,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request that was received by the Department for
Work and Pensions (DWP) Adelphi on 19 March 2012 and forwarded on 20 March for
response by DWP Medical Services Contracts Correspondence Team (MSCCT) Freedom of
Information Officer.
In your email you asked to be provided with information answering the following questions:-
Dear Department for Work and Pensions,
I would like to request for a copy of all information or guidelines for ATOS examiners and
'medical' staff responsible for Work Capability Assessments in relation to ME, FIBROMYALGIA
and CFS.
Under the freedom of information act.
In answer to your request please find attached the following guidance Training & Development
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia; Continuing Medical Education
Programme Fibromyalgia - Guidelines for the Disability Analyst, and the Evidence Based
Protocols for the Disability Analyst for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia.
These requested documents have been produced as part of a programme for Healthcare
Professionals (HCPs) to carry out medical assessments as approved HCPs. All HCPs
undertaking these medical assessments must be registered medical or nursing practitioners
who in addition, have undergone training in disability assessment medicine and more specific
training. The training includes theory training in a classroom setting, supervised practical
training, and a demonstration of understanding as assessed by quality audit. These documents
must be read with the understanding that, as experienced medical or nursing practitioners, the
HCPs will have detailed knowledge of the principles and practice of diagnostic techniques and
therefore such information is not contained in these documents. In addition, these are not
stand-alone documents, and form only a part of the training and written documentation that a
HCP receives. As disability assessment is a practical occupation, much of the guidance also
involves verbal information and coaching. Thus, although the documents may be of interest to
non-medical readers, some of the information may not be readily understood without
background medical knowledge and an awareness of the other training and guidance given to
HCPs.
The information supplied to you continues to be protected by copyright. You are free to use it
for your own purposes, including for private study and non-commercial research, and for any
other purpose authorised by an exception in current copyright law. Documents (except
photographs) can be also used in the UK without requiring permission for the purposes of
news reporting. Any other re-use, for example commercial publication, would require the
permission of the copyright holder.
Most documents produced by the Department for Work and Pensions and/or Atos Healthcare
will be protected by Crown Copyright. Most Crown copyright information can be re-used under
the Open Government Licence (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-
licence/). For information about the OGL and about re-using Crown Copyright information
please see The National Archives website -http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-
management/uk-gov-licensing-framework.htm .
Copyright in other documents may rest with a third party. For information about obtaining
permission from a third party see the Intellectual Property Office’s website at www.ipo.gov.uk.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-of-
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
. or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, 5th Floor The Adelphi, 1-
11, John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT. Any review request should be submitted within two months
of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you
have exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF
www.ico.gov.uk