Work Capability Assessment: Cancer Treatments

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Wednesday 21st March 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

My noble friend makes an extremely good point.

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

My Lords, what is the position with people undergoing chemotherapy? In many cases, if they are on a monthly cycle, the first week will be absolutely intolerable; then they will be fine for two weeks; then it will be absolutely ordinary living in the next week; and then they will start the cycle again. Is that treated as a total continuing period for a work capability assessment, or will they be expected to do something in the one week when they are better off?

[Lord De Mauley]

My noble friend makes a valid point. Of course she is right: they will be treated as being under treatment.