May. 10 2024

Found: They need a system that can respond quickly in recognising work related illness and disease in th e

May. 08 2024

Found: It was noted that costs can be particularly high when caring for someone with a terminal illness.  

S6W-26935

Asked by: Whitham, Elena (Scottish National Party - Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to address any long waiting times for applications to Social Security Scotland, in light of reports that nine children have died while waiting for an application for the Child Disability Payment to be processed.

Answered by Somerville, Shirley-Anne - Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who sadly died before a decision could be made on their application.

We know some people waited an unacceptably long time for Child Disability Payment and urgent action was taken to address this resulting in improved processing times.

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and have an accelerated application process for people who have a terminal illness diagnoses. We urge anyone who is applying on behalf of a terminally ill child or young person to use this dedicated route and ensure their application is given utmost priority.

While we cannot comment on individual cases, there are a number of factors that impact on how long it takes to make a decision including the time taken to gather information to support an application from a professional such as teachers or health care practitioners. This can take time – but under the DWP, people had to do this themselves – and we know people greatly value this service.

S6W-26934

Asked by: Whitham, Elena (Scottish National Party - Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Social Security Scotland staff reportedly do not work to timelines or key performance indicators, and what its position is on whether key performance indicators would help to improve the organisation’s efficiency.

Answered by Somerville, Shirley-Anne - Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

Social Security Scotland is focused on making the right decision first time, whilst aiming to process all applications as quickly as possible.

Our Charter sets out a range of standards for our performance and each year we publish the Charter Measurement Framework to share how we are delivering against our Charter commitments. As part of this research, we invite feedback from our clients and stakeholders on our performance, through our annual client survey.

In addition, we have committed to processing Funeral Support Payment applications within 10 working days of receipt of a completed applications and to process Special Rules for Terminal Illness disability payment applications within seven working days.

All colleagues have agreed work objectives which are reviewed as part of our performance management process and are further supported to perform effectively through learning and development programmes. We also use system data and internal management information to promote continuous improvement.

We have for example taken extensive action to drive down processing times and have seen significant improvements. Latest published figures show that average processing times for Adult Disability Payment have fallen by almost 40%.

Correspondence May. 01 2024

Found: when introducing PADP , including the introduction of short -term assistance and a new definition of terminal

Mentions:
1: McNair, Marie (SNP - Clydebank and Milngavie) It was put in place 50 years ago to help to prevent workplace accidents, illness and death, during a - Speech Link
2: Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Con - Highlands and Islands) The oil from the platform was piped to the Flotta oil terminal in Orkney, which is opposite my home. - Speech Link

Apr. 30 2024

Found: Race Disparity Audit Summary Findings - March 2018 7 International Labour Organization - Injury and Illness

Correspondence Apr. 30 2024

Found: The removal of the qualifying period for those with terminal illness is welcome .

Apr. 29 2024

Found: dis-applied in the same circumstances as it would be for Scottish disability benefits, including in cases of terminal