27 Nov 2012
The Countess of Mar (Crossbench):
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether during work capability assessments Atos Healthcare professionals and Department for Work and Pensions assessors are required to take into account the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalopathy (ME), and, in particular, NICE categories of CFS and ME.
Lord Freud (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Welfare Reform), Work and Pensions; Conservative):
While DWP acknowledges the value of the NICE guidelines on CFS/ME, this is a clinical guide. All healthcare professionals who undertake assessments on behalf of DWP are required to read an evidence-based protocol on CFS/ME as part of their induction training. In addition, all healthcare professionals are required to engage in a programme of continuing medical education, which includes modules on chronic fatigue syndrome. DWP decision-makers also have access to evidence-based guidance on CFS/ME.
