Annette Brooke MP (Liberal Democrat and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on ME) tabled the following written question for the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that specialist training on (a) ME or chronic fatigue syndrome and (b) other fluctuating conditions is given to healthcare professionals assessing claimants for the personal independence payment. [198106]
It was answered as follows on May 14 by Mike Penning MP, Minister of State at the DWP:
The Department requires the health professionals carrying out personal independence payment assessments to have a broad and thorough training in disability analysis, as well as training in specific conditions, including fluctuating conditions. Both organisations providing the assessment have to conform to a rigorous set of quality and recruitment standards which are closely monitored by the Department for Work and Pensions.