To B Adams
C/o xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: 3585-2832
DATE 17 August 2012
Dear B Adams
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request that was received by Department for Work
and Pensions (DWP) Freedom of Information Requests on 22 July 2012 and forwarded on 23
July for response by the 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:-
Please could you provide me with a copy of the Descriptor Handbook as used by DMs and
HCPs and which are used to provide consistency in the way that ESA descriptors are
interpreted both at the assessment and decision making stages
In reply to your request please find attached a copy of the Employment and Support Allowance
(ESA) Filework Guidelines (For HCPs) which is information relating to the pre-board check of
the Limited Capability for Work questionnaire (ESA 50) and weblinks to a copy of the Revised
Work Capability Assessment (WCA) ESA (LCW/LCWRA) Amendment Regulations 2011
Handbook
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/#other that is issued to
approved HCPs employed by Atos Healthcare, and the Decision Makers (DM) Guide (DMG)
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/decisio-makers-guide/ which is used by
DMs as guidance when deciding on benefit entitlement.
The first 2 documents have been produced as part of a programme for approved Healthcare
Professionals (HCPs) to carry out medical assessments. 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.
All 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 DWP 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 Inte
llectual 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-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
