Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answers of 5 April 2017 to Questions 69584 and 69583, whether the training given to healthcare professionals and decision makers referred to in each Answer is the same.

The role of the Assessment Provider’s Health Professional and the DWP Case Manager differs therefore they do not receive the same training.

All Health Professionals undertaking assessments on behalf of DWP must be registered practitioners who have also met requirements around training, experience and competence. Approval to work as a Health Professional must be conferred by the DWP Chief Medical Officer on behalf of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Case Managers undertake internal departmental training to carry out their duties with full decision making powers acting on behalf of the Secretary of State regarding claimant entitlement. Personal Independence Payment Case Managers are trained in general disability awareness.

The Case Manager will make their decision on entitlement to PIP based on the evidence supplied by the claimant, and the personalised consultation report provided by a qualified Health Professional which may also include reports from the claimants Doctor or Consultant where applicable.