To J Newman
C/o xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: VTR 2799-IR31
DATE 15 February 2012
Dear J Newman,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request that was received by the Department for
Work and Pensions (DWP) Adelphi on 18 January 2012 and forwarded on 19 January 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,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Department for Work and Pensions's handling of
my FOI request 'HCP expertise - contradiction'.
I am afraid you have done it again, so I am confused.
In my original question dated19/10/11, I pointed out that in FOI request
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/phrase_on_esa85_report#incoming-218494
you have said "the HCPs will have detailed knowledge of the principles and practice of
diagnostic techniques".
In VTR 3129, you have confirmed this by saying “An HCP does require detailed knowledge of
the principles and practice of diagnostic techniques”
You have now said in VTR 3578 that “there is no need for HCPs to be a diagnostic specialist .”
There is a direct contradiction here. Please explain.
As Reviewing Officer, I have read your letter and accepted this as a request for an Internal
Review in order that I can check that the information sent to you clearly and accurately
answered your request. I have therefore conducted a full investigation into your original
request and the information supplied to you.
I therefore find that the original response of the MSCCT Freedom of Information Officer dated
21 December 2011 and the information supplied by the DWP in FOI 2629-3578 was correct, in
that there is no requirement for HCPs conducting medical assessments for the DWP under the
Medical Services Contract, to be a Diagnostic Specialist or Consultant in a specific medical
condition.
There has not been a contradiction in the information provided to you, as you were provided
with the stated training requirements of Healthcare Professionals employed by Atos Healthcare
as opposed to the required qualifications etc that clinicians (who are employed as Specialists
or Consultants in hospitals) have.
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