Some time ago I remember reading a report into the quality of the assessments made by medical services on behalf of the DWP, but I can't remember who published it.

In particular I remember it referring to a medical done by a male doctor on a female muslim claimant, who spoke no english. The doctor asked the claimants young son to act as a translator.

Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Thanks

Is it the Citizens Advice report What the doctor ordered? perhaps?

It wasn't the CA report, though many of the findings were similar.

I have a feeling that it was related to the number of incorrect decisions based on poor medical evidence that are made and subsequently overturned at tribunal, and I think it may have been produced either by the DWP, or the Tribunal Service, or a select committee.

The President of the Appeals Service produces an annual report that has fairly consistently criticised the assessment of medical evidence and standards of decision making related to this issue, so maybe one of those reports instead?

I've looked at the president's reports that are on the tribunal service website, but these are not in the same format of the report that I remember - there are no case studies of claimants' experiences. The report also looked at the guidelines for writing medical reports and had percentages for the number of reports that failed to meet the basic standards - one was legibility so you can imagine how many failed on that basis.

Sorry but can't think of what it is then I'm afraid. Let us know if you do find it.

was it this ...

'We have been told that claimants whose first language is not English can face problems in obtaining interpreters so that they can communicate with EMPs. For example, we were told that:

"Often other family members act as general interpreters. In one case the male doctor had arrived without appointment, so there was no interpreter or other adult present. The doctor had expected the eight year old son to interpret for his mother. Naturally the mother did not want to disclose to her son her incontinence problems. So the doctor did not hear them either. This was a totally inappropriate expectation of the doctor to place on a young boy. More commonly we are glad to report that doctors seem willing to re-list assessments if there is a need for an interpreter but one has not been provided. But possibly if claimants are not aware of this facility they are afraid to tell the doctor to go away."

That's the one I was thinking of, thanks Shawn

JK