Atos Website - WCA process chart

The request was partially successful.

Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

On its website at
http://blog.atoshealthcare.com/2012/11/w... Atos provides a step by step guide to a WCA.

1) At what point in this process does the HCP inform the claimant that they may be undertaking a wheelchair assessment? The point at which this is discussed is not covered by the WCA Handbook either.

I am looking for the the (documented) assurance that the assessment cannot take place without a discussion with the claimant first and that it cannot in effect be undertaken in secret.

2) How much training (hours or days) is given to HCPs to ensure specifically that they perform a wheelchair assessment within a WCA to precisely the same standards and with the same rigour as any recognised such assessment performed elsewhere?

Yours faithfully,

J Newman

DWP freedom-of-information-requests, Department for Work and Pensions

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DWP DWP Medical Services Correspondence, Department for Work and Pensions

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Mr Newman

Please see attached reply to your Freedom of Information request

Many Thanks

Business Management Team | Department for Work and Pensions | Contracted Customer Services Directorate | DWP Operations | Room 306, Block 3, Norcross, Norcross Lane, Blackpool FY5 3TA | www.dwp.gov.uk | Please consider the environment before printing

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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 'Atos Website - WCA process chart'.

Response to Q1:
I am requesting an IR as this response contradicts the WCA Handbook.

You have stated here that “it is not a requirement that the assessment cannot take place without a discussion with the claimant first”. However, the Revised WCA Handbook ESA (LCW/LCWRA) Amendment Regulations 2011 (which supposedly demands honesty, integrity and professionalism) states in section 3.1.3.2 Interview Technique

“Remember the claimant may be apprehensive, and that it is good practice to EXPLAIN THE PROCESS and purpose of the interview and examination.”

“Explaining the process” would of course naturally include mention of a wheelchair assessment if one was thought to be appropriate. Are you saying here that DWP sanctions the principle of HCPs choosing NOT to make mention of it contrary to the instructions in the Handbook?

If you confirm that the Handbook MUST be followed, what action will DWP take if HCPs fail to do so and Atos’s internal audit processes fail to highlight it?

Response to Q2:
I am requesting an IR as your response talks around, but does not directly address the request. I will explain the basis of it again.

Wheelchair Assessment is long-established area of expertise within the NHS requiring specific skills, training and experience, the specification of which has been developed over many years. It is therefore safe to assume that it is now wholly fit for purpose. The approach necessary for the assessment is well documented as are the reasons why absolute rigour is required – clearly being forced to used a wheelchair for the first time is literally a life-changing experience and cannot be treated glibly.

It goes without saying that any wheelchair assessment in any context should be performed to the same standard and as I am sure you will agree, this applies to Atos and its HCPs as well as to anyone else. Clearly there is absolutely no justification for an Atos wheelchair assessment being any different from the traditional NHS wheelchair assessment.

Membership of the professional bodies you quote does not in itself guarantee that HCPs have this expertise and many would not be qualified to perform wheelchair assessments within the NHS. It is possible that this is incorporated within the WCA training programme, but if it is to the necessary level, HCPs would be provided with evidence that they have achieved the appropriate standard. This being the case, they would then be qualified to perform wheelchair assessments within the NHS. However, this is NOT the case indicating that the Atos wheelchair assessment is performed to a lower standard.

The specific information I am seeking is:
• Evidence that the Atos wheelchair assessment mirrors the NHS wheelchair assessment

• Evidence that Atos audit procedures are designed to ensure that the correct standard IN THIS AREA are maintained.

• If the Atos wheelchair assessment has not been validated against the NHS version, the justification for applying an alternative methodology and where this methodology is documented. [Note that the WCA manual refers in many places to wheelchairs but not all the issues an effective assessment must take into account).

• If Atos is applying a different wheelchair methodology to the NHS, who has authorised its application and evidence that this authority has been granted.

• Evidence that after Atos training a HCP is qualified to perform wheelchair assessments in the NHS.

Please note that in referencing any other documents you must point me to precisely where the relevant information is contained rather than just the document itself. Also the information is not just confined to reports and official publications.

Finally, a further matter of clarification.

The WCA manual states in section 3.1.4.1 Conclusion of the examination:

“It is vital that you (the HCP) do not enter into discussions that are out with the role of the Disability Analyst or suggest treatment options.”

If appropriate, a GP would consider use of a wheelchair within the scope of a patient’s recuperation plan and would prescribe one if they considered it a valuable aid and in the best interests of their patient. It is therefore undoubtedly part of the patient’s overall treatment programme. It is ridiculous that DWP tries to deny this is the case. If the HCP and/or Decision Maker believe that a wheelchair is genuinely in the best interests of the claimant they should have no problem in saying so.

I am looking for any information that explains this clear contradiction.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/at...

Yours faithfully,

J Newman

DWP freedom-of-information-requests, Department for Work and Pensions

This is an automated confirmation that your request for information has
been accepted by the DWP FoI mailbox.

By the next working day your request will be forwarded to the relevant
information owner within the Department who will respond to you direct. 

If your email is a Freedom of Information request you can normally
expect a response within 20 working days.

Should you have any further queries in connection with this request do
please contact us.

For further information on the Freedom of Information Act within DWP
please click on the link below.

[1]http://www.dwp.gov.uk/freedom-of-informa...

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References

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DWP DWP Medical Services Correspondence, Department for Work and Pensions

2 Attachments

Dear Mr Newman

Please see your FOI response attached

Kind regards

Health & Disability Assessments (Operations)/Department for Work and Pensions/Room 306/Block 31/Norcross/Norcross Lane/Blackpool/FY5 3TA

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