To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the introduction of Logic Integrated Medical Assessment, with particular reference to its (a) efficacy in describing (i) multiple conditions and (ii) intermittent conditions, (b) development to cover a wider range of disabling conditions and (c) use by GPs of the same protocols. (91706)

Logic Integrated Medical Assessment (LiMA) is a tool developed to support healthcare professionals carrying out personal capability assessments (PCA). It uses rules derived from evidence-based medical protocols to guide healthcare professionals into making logical decisions. But it remains the responsibility of the healthcare professional to ensure that all the appropriate data are input into the system, including information about multiple or intermittent conditions.

The available evidence-based medicine protocols cover about 85 per cent. of all disabling conditions being assessed. As part of the ongoing work in relation to the review of the PCA we will be looking at what changes will be required to LiMA, including development of new protocols to cover conditions not yet represented on the system.

The LiMA evidence-based medical protocols are freely available to GPs or others who wish to use them for continuous professional education.