1.1 Professional Standards Expected of an Approved
Disability Analyst
All work is performed in a manner which recognises everyone’s rights
This applies to both claimant and practitioner. Everyone is entitled to be
treated with respect whatever their gender, sexual orientation, race, religion,
nationality, culture, age, health, (dis)ability, marital status or physical
characteristics/ appearance.
When Dealing with Claimants and their Representatives you must be:
Accessible
Approachable
Punctual
Courteous
Reliable
Friendly
Presentable
During the assessment of a claimant, all examining practitioners will:
Introduce themselves to the claimant and wear a name badge, or offer
other official identification
Make the claimant welcome and feel at ease
Be polite at all times
Encourage a person accompanying the claimant to be present during the
assessment, if so desired by the claimant
Explain the purpose of the assessment
Explain what the assessment entails
Allow the claimant time to give their history, asking questions in a non-
adversarial manner and following the relevant benefit guidance
Carry out a relevant examination to provide the information necessary to
give and justify clinically reasonable advice
Avoid any unnecessary discomfort, where possible assessing active
movement of limbs before even considering whether to perform any
passive movements.
When giving advice:
Atos Healthcare will advise in an objective, independent, fair and
impartial, ethical manner in accordance with the practitioner’s contractual
obligations
It must conform to the consensus of medical opinion, and be based on
the balance of probability
It will be of an appropriate depth, scope and focus and presented with
clarity, permitting the DM to give reasonable consideration to the clinical
issues.
1.1.1 Conflicts
of
Interest
Although legislation does not exclude you from performing disability
assessments on current or recent patients, doing so potentially contravenes
natural justice. Therefore, to minimise any potential conflicts of interest,
only
in exceptional circumstances would it be appropriate for a practitioner to
assess current or past patients. These situations should be discussed with
a Medical Manager.
1.2 Terms, Concepts and Definitions
Objective
Based on evidence
Independent
Without the influence of carer responsibility, or involvement
in any other aspect of the claim
Fair and Impartial
With no personal interest, of any sort, in the outcome of the
claim under consideration
Everyone has the right to work without fear of harassment.
(This applies as much to the practitioner as it does to the
person being assessed)
Every employee and person acting on behalf of the
company has a duty to protect and respect this right
(Harassment is a generic term, which encompasses
bullying and victimisation)
Ethical
Conforming to the code of Professional Ethics as laid down
by the General Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery
Council and the Health Professions Council
Appropriate Depth Sufficient factual detail obtained to support the advice