Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to (a) maintain and (b) bolster the effectiveness of the Access to Work scheme.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 27% and we have continued to streamline delivery practises. We remain committed to reducing waiting times for claims, prioritising customers starting a job within the next four weeks.

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Department has assessed the proportion of medically discharged personnel who report feeling unprepared for civilian life.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Medical discharge process policy is delegated to the three Services to afford each of them the necessary flexibility to respond effectively to the unique and varying environments in which their people serve. However, Defence’s Tri-Service policy for medical discharge boards aligns the Services in terms of procedure and consistency of process. The board can recommend a medical category that may lead to a Service Person’s discharge from the Armed Forces.

Defence recognises the need to develop a Tri-Service Occupational Health Service to simplify policy and process, improve patient experience and support the retention of Armed Forces personnel. Work is underway to review timelines for referral to medical boards to ensure consistency across the single Services.

Our comprehensive policies and procedures facilitate a smooth discharge process, providing a timeline of actions to be taken from nine months before leaving. These actions include arranging a final medical and dental examination, meeting with a resettlement officer, submitting pension forms, and ensuring personal records are accurate. The process also includes returning Service property and identifications, taking terminal leave, and receiving a Service leavers' pack. Support is also offered through the Career Transition Partnership and Defence Transition Services (DTS), which provide help with employment, housing, health, and other aspects of transitioning to civilian life.

Defence also has a comprehensive policy in place for managing personnel who are wounded, injured, or sick, which includes coordinated support for those medically discharged. Medical discharges follow a specific process involving a medical board review, and personnel may be eligible for compensation. Before personnel leave, they are provided with a final case conference to ensure their issues are resolved or a plan is in place to manage them.

Whilst Defence has not assessed the proportion of medically discharged personnel who report feeling unprepared for civilian life, all are automatically referred to DTS or the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). Service leavers, veterans, and their families can access support, help and information with issues that may endure beyond discharge irrespective of their reason for discharge. Healthcare support is tailored to their needs and preferences, ranging from simple transitional needs to enduring support for more complex challenges.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what procedures are in place to ensure an effective handover of medical records from Defence Medical Services to the NHS for personnel that are medically discharged.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the importance of facilitating the transfer of healthcare information to civilian healthcare provider(s) when an individual leaves the Armed Forces,.

Personnel are advised to register with an NHS GP one to three months before discharge. On leaving Defence Medical Services (DMS) care, Service personnel are provided with a medical care summary, known as an FMed133, and advised to provide a copy of their FMed 133 to their NHS GP. If a patient’s full DMS health record is required, this is provided on request from their NHS GP.

To improve the transfer of healthcare information, DMS is working towards the greater interoperability with NHS systems and the electronic transfer of medical records from DMS to NHS GPs and expects to implement changes over the next one-two years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure consistency in the medical discharge process across the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Medical discharge process policy is delegated to the three Services to afford each of them the necessary flexibility to respond effectively to the unique and varying environments in which their people serve. However, Defence’s Tri-Service policy for medical discharge boards aligns the Services in terms of procedure and consistency of process. The board can recommend a medical category that may lead to a Service Person’s discharge from the Armed Forces.

Defence recognises the need to develop a Tri-Service Occupational Health Service to simplify policy and process, improve patient experience and support the retention of Armed Forces personnel. Work is underway to review timelines for referral to medical boards to ensure consistency across the single Services.

Our comprehensive policies and procedures facilitate a smooth discharge process, providing a timeline of actions to be taken from nine months before leaving. These actions include arranging a final medical and dental examination, meeting with a resettlement officer, submitting pension forms, and ensuring personal records are accurate. The process also includes returning Service property and identifications, taking terminal leave, and receiving a Service leavers' pack. Support is also offered through the Career Transition Partnership and Defence Transition Services (DTS), which provide help with employment, housing, health, and other aspects of transitioning to civilian life.

Defence also has a comprehensive policy in place for managing personnel who are wounded, injured, or sick, which includes coordinated support for those medically discharged. Medical discharges follow a specific process involving a medical board review, and personnel may be eligible for compensation. Before personnel leave, they are provided with a final case conference to ensure their issues are resolved or a plan is in place to manage them.

Whilst Defence has not assessed the proportion of medically discharged personnel who report feeling unprepared for civilian life, all are automatically referred to DTS or the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). Service leavers, veterans, and their families can access support, help and information with issues that may endure beyond discharge irrespective of their reason for discharge. Healthcare support is tailored to their needs and preferences, ranging from simple transitional needs to enduring support for more complex challenges.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Department has assessed the potential impact of the medical discharge process on Armed Forces recruitment and retention.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Medical discharge process policy is delegated to the three Services to afford each of them the necessary flexibility to respond effectively to the unique and varying environments in which their people serve. However, Defence’s Tri-Service policy for medical discharge boards aligns the Services in terms of procedure and consistency of process. The board can recommend a medical category that may lead to a Service Person’s discharge from the Armed Forces.

Defence recognises the need to develop a Tri-Service Occupational Health Service to simplify policy and process, improve patient experience and support the retention of Armed Forces personnel. Work is underway to review timelines for referral to medical boards to ensure consistency across the single Services.

Our comprehensive policies and procedures facilitate a smooth discharge process, providing a timeline of actions to be taken from nine months before leaving. These actions include arranging a final medical and dental examination, meeting with a resettlement officer, submitting pension forms, and ensuring personal records are accurate. The process also includes returning Service property and identifications, taking terminal leave, and receiving a Service leavers' pack. Support is also offered through the Career Transition Partnership and Defence Transition Services (DTS), which provide help with employment, housing, health, and other aspects of transitioning to civilian life.

Defence also has a comprehensive policy in place for managing personnel who are wounded, injured, or sick, which includes coordinated support for those medically discharged. Medical discharges follow a specific process involving a medical board review, and personnel may be eligible for compensation. Before personnel leave, they are provided with a final case conference to ensure their issues are resolved or a plan is in place to manage them.

Whilst Defence has not assessed the proportion of medically discharged personnel who report feeling unprepared for civilian life, all are automatically referred to DTS or the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS). Service leavers, veterans, and their families can access support, help and information with issues that may endure beyond discharge irrespective of their reason for discharge. Healthcare support is tailored to their needs and preferences, ranging from simple transitional needs to enduring support for more complex challenges.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including data for a Latin American ethnic group in national statistics.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 8th of December is attached.