Cochrane pleased at further reforms to Work Capacity Assessment

Alliance East Belfast MLA, Judith Cochrane, has welcomed the publication of the fifth and final review of the Work Capacity Assessment and the decision of the Department for Social Development to accept all the recommendations made by Dr Paul Litchfield.

Some of the recommendations include having healthcare professionals at appeal hearings, reviewing the policy of audio recording of face to face assessments and improving the sharing of information between different Departments and agencies.

Judith Cochrane MLA said: “It is very important that our Government policies are monitored by independent experts and recommendations are put forward to improve the system. The four previous reports resulted in some important changes and I am pleased to see a number of useful proposals in this report which will help claimants.

“I have been in correspondence with the Social Development Minister on behalf of constituents over the last year and these changes will help to address many of their issues.

“I am pleased that the recommendations have been accepted and hope that this will lead to a more efficient system for claimants.”

ENDS