To Mr R Bray-Hurran
C/o xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: VTR 3588-2823
DATE 17 August 2012
Dear Mr Bray-Hurran,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request that was received by the Department for
Work and Pensions (DWP) Freedom of Information Requests on 20 July 2012 and forwarded
on 23 July 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:-
1. Are any recording devices to be used by ATOS for the recording of benefit claimants'
medical assessments sMe pace / home office compliant machines, as used by DWP
fraud office?
2. If the answer to 1 is NO, what differs between these machines and those?
In response to your questions there is no requirement for the audio ecording devices to be sMe
pace / Home Office compliant this is because the purpose of recording Work Capability
Assessments (WCA) is to provide both parties with a record of the discussion between the
claimant and the Healthcare Professional during the WCA. I would advise that the recording
must be made on equipment of a high standard, properly calibrated by a qualified engineer
immediately prior to the recording being made. The equipment must have facility for
reproduction so that a copy of the recording can be retained by both parties.
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-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. 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