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From: DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-RequestDepartment for Work and Pensions

2 May 2012Our Ref: VTR 3115-1502

Dear Mr Smith,

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request that was received by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Adelphi on 02 April 2012 and

forwarded that day for response by DWP Medical Services Contracts Correspondence Team (MSCCT) Freedom of Information Officer.

In your email you asked to be provided with information answering the following questions:-

1) Could you let me know how many Audio Recording Devices Atos have available to them throughout their entire 141 Assessment centres in the UK?

2)Could you please let me know the make and model of the Audio Recording

devices used?

3)How many people employed by Atos are qualified to operate the Audio Recording devices?

4)What happens when a claimant request's their assessment be recorded but the Atos HCP refuses to be recorded?

5)Can you confirm or deny that claimants who have requested a home assessment have also been granted the request to have their home assessment audio recorded?

In reply to Q1 & Q2, Atos Healthcare currently deploys 11 dual CD recording devices across the country. The model used is Neal 9102 dual CD interview recorder.In response to Q3, guidance on how to use the equipment is available to all Healthcare Professionals (HCP).

In answer to Q4, a request for the recording of a Work Capability Assessment must be made in advance by contacting the Atos Healthcare Contact Centre. This is so that Atos Healthcare can make an appointment when the necessary equipment and consenting HCP is available.

Requests for recording of assessments can only be agreed with the

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* prior consent of the Healthcare Professional (HCP),* use of approved recording equipment.

These criteria must be in place so as to ensure that stringent safeguards are in place to produce recordings that are complete,

accurate and that the facility provides for simultaneous duplicate copies to be made available to both the claimant and the HCP.

In reply to Q5, I can confirm that a Work Capability Assessment has never been recorded by Atos Healthcare during a home assessment.

If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely,

DWP Central FoI Team

------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act

If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing [DWP request email]. or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, 5th Floor The Adelphi, 1-11, John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT. Any review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner's Office for a decision.Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House,Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF www.ico.gov.uk

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