Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the NHS Business Services Authority in processing applications for permanent injury benefit under the NHS injury benefits scheme.

The NHS Business Services Authority is responsible for the administration of the NHS Injury Benefits Scheme on behalf of the Secretary of State. The Injury Benefits Scheme covers NHS workers with injuries or diseases contracted through their employment before 31 March 2013.

The NHS Business Services Authority will process Injury Benefits applications received up to and including 30 March 2018 but only in respect of injuries or diseases occurring on or before 30 March 2013. An exception to this rule is that the NHS Business Services Authority will process Injury Benefit applications received by 30 March 2038 for applicants who can provide evidence that there has been a delayed onset of their symptoms, such that application was not possible before 30 March 2018.

The NHS Business Services Authority has always had a dedicated team to process Injury Benefit applications, and the Department is content with the efficacy of their administration.