DWP has clarified its stance on the ‘set symptoms list’
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified its stance on the “set symptoms list” for those receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP). It’s been confirmed that PIP assessments don’t solely focus on diagnoses or conditions.
In response to concerns raised by politicians, PIP claimants have been reassured they won’t be evaluated against “a set symptom list for a condition” during their assessment, reports Birmingham Live. Liberal Democrats MP Richard Foord posed a question to DWP chief Pat McFadden: “What assessment he has made of the accuracy of the symptom lists used in disability and capability assessments for people with fibromyalgia; and whether his Department plans to update that guidance.”
Sir Stephen Timms said: “The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment and the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) are functional assessments.
“They do not evaluate claimants based on their medical diagnosis or health condition alone and claimants are not assessed against a set symptom list for a condition when attending an assessment. Instead, the assessment focuses on how a claimant’s condition affects their mobility and ability to carry out everyday activities.”
“The DWP is committed to ensuring that people with Fibromyalgia and other health conditions receive high-quality, accurate assessments. All health professionals (HPs) undergo comprehensive training in disability analysis. Their focus is on understanding the functional impact of a claimant’s condition, rather than its clinical diagnosis.
“To support this, DWP provides suppliers with core training and guidance materials on Fibromyalgia. These resources include detailed clinical and functional information relevant to the condition to assist HPs in delivering informed and accurate assessments.
“Additionally, all training and guidance materials are currently undergoing a comprehensive review and update. A dedicated team is leading this work to ensure that all materials are aligned with national best practice standards. Independent clinical experts are being engaged to provide external quality assurance, helping to ensure the content remains accurate, relevant, and consistent.”
