18.02.13
English NHS trusts to help Atos assess benefit claimants
Atos is to subcontract work to a number of NHS trusts in England, it has emerged.
Last year the company contracted trusts in Scotland to help carry out medical assessments of people claiming benefits. The trusts carry out assessments for the new disability benefit Pip (Personal Independence Payment), which is set to replace DLA from 2013.
The move raised concerns about whether it was good value for money to outsource work to Atos, only to have it subcontracted back to the public sector.
At the time, Atos described its contract with NHS Lanarkshire as a ‘partnership’ and stated: “It means that consultations will take place where people feel most comfortable – in the heart of their local community – and they will be conducted by health practitioners that have first-class expertise in dealing with the needs of disabled people.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “We are taking a new approach working with regional providers for a service which best meets local needs. It was open to NHS organisations to bid for a place on the health and disability assessment framework but none did so.
“We believe that it is right for Atos to partner with the NHS to offer Pip claimants familiar surroundings and experienced health professionals. The partnership proposed here demonstrated best value for money for the department and its claimants.”
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