Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2019 to Question 208914 on Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations, what her Department’s definition is of prescriptive.

The word ‘prescriptive’ is not defined in the Personal Independence Payment audit criteria.

Where DWP considers that assessment reports are not fit for purpose it may return them to Assessment Providers for rework, which will be carried out at their expense.

The criteria are that reports will be:

• fair and impartial;
• legible and concise;
• in accordance with relevant legislation;
• comprehensive, clearly explaining the medical issues raised, fully clarifying any contradictions in evidence;
• in plain English and free of medical jargon and unexplained medical abbreviations;
• presented clearly; and
• complete.

The rework action to be taken by Assessment Providers will vary on a case-by-case basis. Wherever possible, cases should be discussed with the original Health Professional or referred back to them for further action to be taken.