The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has awarded services company Atos Origin a £500m seven-year contract for the delivery of medical advice and assessment services.
Under the contract, Atos Origin will manage the provision of medical advice and assessments on behalf of the DWP for benefits including Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits, and others.
In addition, services will also be provided to the Ministry of Defence Veterans Agency.
Atos Origin will also focus on the recruitment, training, and career development of the DWP’s medical staff to ensure that it retains and attracts medical professionals with the qualifications, experience, and skills needed to carry out such assessments.
Other initiatives within the contract include the introduction of an electronic business-to-business referral system that will replace the existing paper-based system.
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The contract can be extended by a maximum of five years under two separate extension clauses: the first for three years, and the second for two years. These take the potential total contract value to in excess of £850m over 12 years.
