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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY COMMITTEE BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY, 5th JULY 2005
Question
In answer to my question on 15th March 2005, regarding LTIA, the President stated that the Committee was not aware of difficulties in assessment' for LTIA carried out by the Medical Board. Is the Committee satisfied that the Medical Board system works well and equally for all those assessed for percentage awards for incapacity due to mental illness, and why is there no psychiatric expertise employed on such Boards?
Answer
Neither the Committee nor the Department have received any representation that LTIA Medical Boards for claimants suffering from a mental illness are not carried out fairly, though certain individuals may be dissatisfied with the results of the Boards. Built into the system is the ability to create a review board of different doctors and, ultimately, an appeal can be made to the Medical Appeal Tribunal.
Psychiatric Medical Boards have always been handled sensitively to avoid further distress on claimants. The Department has used, and continues to use consultant psychiatrists from the U.K. and Guernsey to screen, perform and advise on Medical Boards. In fact the Law has been changed to allow external experts to determine on claims and this is likely to increase as clinical governance issues spread from the U.K. to Jersey.