Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that staff conducting medical assessments of personal independence payment applicants are qualified to assess people with mental health issues.

Health Professionals undertaking assessments receive training on how to identify the impact of mental health conditions on claimants. This is followed by on-going professional training and support which continues for the duration of their employment in the role. Providers of assessments periodically engage with organisations / experts to help enhance their training materials.

In addition, Mental Health Champions support Health Professionals by providing additional expertise about mental health, cognitive, developmental and learning disabilities and can be referred to at any time during the assessment process.