Certification

1. Certification • Med 3 and Med 5 • Med 4 • Med 6 • RM7 • DS1500 • Fitness for work • Return to work

2. Certification rules General rules for the issue of medical statements • completed in ink • completed and signed by a doctor • issued once • for Social Security purposes only • kept secure to prevent misuse and fraud • contains: • the patient’s name • the date of examination • an accurate diagnosis • the date the statement is issued • the address of the doctor • the signature of the doctor

3. MED 3 • Rules for the completion of form Med 3 • must examine the patient on the day, or the day before, you issue this statement • Periods of incapacity: Closed certificate Open certificate

4. MED 5 • Rules for the completion • base your advice on your examination of the patient on a previous occasion • be sure that you would have advised the patient to refrain from work from the date of examination for the entire period of the certificate. • The only exception is where the certifying doctor has a report from another doctor • the report was issued less than one month previously • the certificate you issue does not cover a forward period of more than one month.

5. MED 4 • Issued prior to PCA • Questionnaire to be filled for disability • After 28 weeks of disability A fully completed MED4 can : • Provide evidence of severe condition • Avoid undergoing an examination • Avoid further report • Reduce requirement for an appeal against the disallowance of benefit

6. MED 6 Rules for completion of MED 6 • If no diagnosis on MED 3, MED4, or MED5 • Notify local DWP • Brief report request by DWP An accurate diagnosis must be entered • Enable DWP identify patients who exempt appropriate test of incapacity • Allow collection of data about medical causes of incapacity

7. USE OF RM7 • An independent assessment of patient by DWP • Circumstance of doubts about patient’s incapacity • Continuing to issue statements • Request made on form RM7 to DWP and pension office for appropriate action

8. FORM DS1500 • For patient suffering from potentially terminal illness • Handed to patient/representative • Fee payable by DWP Report should contain details : • Diagnosis • Name and address of patient / Representative • Current and proposed treatment • Brief clinical finding

9. FITNESS TO WORK • Medical condition /duration • Functional limitation/type of task • Adjustment to workplace/disability discrimination act • Clinical guidelines – www.dwp.gov.uk/medical • Clinical management • Patient’s best interest • Patient’s expectation

10. REHABILITATION • Help from Jobcentre Plus – www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk • Assist patient back to work/alternative employment • Help from Disability service team & DEA Add comment on MED 3 Write to Jobcentre Exempt Work – without affecting entitlement of IB • Permitted work • Voluntary work • Duties as a local authority councillor • Duties as a disability expert/as a member of DLA advisory board

11. NEW DEAL FOR DISABLED PEOPLE • Support in finding & retaining paid employment • Voluntary programme through Job Brokers: • Help customers understand & compete • Agree with most appropriate route into employment • Support in finding & keeping paid employment • Work closely for additional support • Support during first six months

12. MEDICAL REPORTS FOR IB • Factual report for a medical officer • Full report currently available • Avoid benefit related examination • Prompt decision on their entitlement • Reduce the number of request for reports for appeal • Clinical information in writing requested by a Medical officer • Report returned within a reasonable timescale • Completed without charge to patient or DWP • Address fully all the medical officers questions

13. STATE BENEFIT & ASSESSMENT ENTITLEMENT • First seven days : self certification • SC2 for employer • SC1 for jobcentre plus/social security office • After seven days : • medical statement confirming refrain from work for a period not extending 6 months • Certificate for IB who has spells of incapacity totalling >7 days in 8 weeks • SSP up to 28 weeks • IB after 28 weeks

14. STATE INCAPACITY BENEFITS • Incapacity benefit • NI contribution • Paid during refrain from work • Paid at three rates according to length of incapacity • Paid after 28 weeks of incapacity • Income support and disability premium • Involve satisfying medical tests : OOT or PCA • Means tested for lack of NI contribution • Severe disablement allowance : not available to new claimants after 6 April 2001 • National insurance credits : credited with NI helps protect state retirement pension

15. TESTS FOR INCAPACITY FOR STATE BENEFIT PURPOSES • Own Occupation test (OOT) • Applicable for first 28 weeks of incapacity • Engaged in paid work at least 8 /21 weeks • could expected to be incapable of work in course of time • The Personal Capability Assessment ( PCA) • Insufficient record of recent work • Incapable of work for 18 weeks • Benefit will apply after 28 weeks

16. BENEFIT ENTITLEMENT DECISION Decision on entitlement are made by non-medical decision makers acting on behalf of the secretary of state • Patient meet the threshold of incapacity • Decision will be informed by jobcentre plus/social security office • No longer required to issue statements • Patient do not meet the threshold of incapacity • No longer issue MED3 except : • Condition deteriorated since assessment by DWP • Diagnosed condition causing incapacity for work has changed significantly