Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are employed in the NHS Business Services Authority's quality assurance processes for reviewing Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme claims relating to covid-19 vaccinations; and how many claims initially recommended for acceptance have been overturned as a result of those processes.

NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) employs a number of clinical specialists to quality audit a sample of vaccine damage payment scheme assessment reports prepared by the independent medical assessment supplier. We are not able to disclose the exact number of clinicians currently employed by the NHSBSA to carry out these assessments, because the total number falls below five and clinicians could be identified when combined with other information that may be in the public domain or reasonably available.

The purpose of the quality audit undertaken by NHSBSA’s clinical specialists is to check that the independent medical assessor has followed guidance and available scientific evidence in a way that is consistent and fair. The clinicians may request that the independent medical assessor provides clarification of points raised within a report before a claim outcome is finalised. However, the NHSBSA does not overturn decisions.