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Health Transformation Programme
11 September 2023 - After concerns raised about the pre-application eligibility question on the online PIP claims platform, Tom Pursglove confirms in written answer that ‘There are no current plans to remove the optional eligibility questions from the online service, but we will keep this under review as we develop the service.’
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-09-04/197634
23 October 2023: List of postcode areas for online PIP claims is now in the public realm
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-10-13/201483
6 November 2023: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/welfare-rights/news/item/dwp-provides-progress-update-on-the-development-of-its-integrated-health-assessment-service
From the article:
‘Delivering a presentation last week to update stakeholders on its progress, the DWP set out what it has achieved so far within the pilots, including that they have -
- enabled assessment details to be viewed across all health benefits (PIP, ESA and universal credit);
- enabled documents to be viewed across different benefits and claims;
- created a flexible appointment booking system; and
- developed claimant-led assessments, where healthcare professionals have the ability to move freely through the assessment journey depending on the claimant, their experience and how they express themselves, rather than attempting to follow a script that does not meet the claimant’s needs.’
20 November 2023 - update on various HTP/white paper initiatives from Tom Pursglove MP
Including health impact record (HIR), severe disability group (SDG) and enhanced support service (ESS). Also health assessment channels trial which is described as nearing completion: ‘we have been analysing whether there is a difference in award outcomes for assessments completed remotely, compared to face-to-face’
Statement: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-11-20/hcws44
29 November 2023 - Public Accounts Committee report on the HTP
TL;DR
‘...we believe the greatest risk to the programme is that the Department focuses exclusively on the delivery of a new digitalised service, without achieving the important transformational change in the experience of claimants on which the wider benefits of the programme rely.’‘
Not sure why a warning was needed. Not one of these programmes has ever delivered anything meaningful. Why would this be different?
Not sure why a warning was needed. Not one of these programmes has ever delivered anything meaningful. Why would this be different?
BAMS - useless
EMP’s - ?
SEMA - useless
ATOS - useless
And on and on we go.
Not sure why a warning was needed. Not one of these programmes has ever delivered anything meaningful. Why would this be different?
BAMS - useless
EMP’s - ?
SEMA - useless
ATOS - useless
And on and on we go.
EMPS - 8:30 am visits on weekends before going to play golf/ “has hard skin on feet so can walk in excess of 150 metres”/ “went on holiday therefore not disabled” etc.
Not sure why a warning was needed. Not one of these programmes has ever delivered anything meaningful. Why would this be different?
BAMS - useless
EMP’s - ?
SEMA - useless
ATOS - useless
And on and on we go.
EMPS - 8:30 am visits on weekends before going to play golf/ “has hard skin on feet so can walk in excess of 150 metres”/ “went on holiday therefore not disabled” etc.
Yup. And often inappropriate comments about the inside of claimants’ homes.
5 December 2023 - PQ confirming that you cannot apply for PIP online (even if you live in the selected postcode areas) if you are already claiming PIP or DLA, or have a previous PIP/DLA claim. Also, geographical roll-out of the online claim option across England, Wales and Northern Ireland due to be complete by end of 2024.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-11-29/4480