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Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Volume 485: debated on Monday 15 December 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what system is used to operate the Work Capability Assessment; and what the unit processing time for each assessment is. (240264)

The Medical Services Referral System is the IT system used to manage referrals for work capability assessments (WCAs), while the logic integrated medical assessment is a tool developed to support health care professionals carrying out WCAs. It uses rules derived from evidence-based medical protocols to guide healthcare professionals into making logical decisions.

The WCA is made up of the limited capability for work, limited capability for work related activity (LCW/LCWRA) and the work focused health related assessment (WFHRA). The LCW/LCWRA assessment will take on average approximately 43 minutes to complete and the WFHRA, where required, will take on average 30 minutes. However, both are independent medical assessments and the time taken will vary according to individual customer needs.