MEDICAL INTERMEDIARY SERVICE FOR THE CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION AUTHORITY

Publishing an early engagement opportunity to make the market aware and to seek some information with which to shape our possible future invitation to tender:

The provision of specialist medical examination or a diagnosis or prognosis from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist based on an applicant's medical records (for a disabling mental injury) to assess, whether on balance, an applicant has sustained a qualifying injury.

INTRODUCTION

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is the government body responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (''the Scheme'') in England, Scotland, and Wales. CICA is an Executive Agency, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice that also provides a service on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The Scheme is government funded and can award compensation to people who have been physically or mentally injured because they were the victim of a violent crime. The Scheme is not intended to fully compensate victims but to recognise their suffering and provide some financial support to help them move on.

CICA sometimes need to commission a specialist medical examination or a diagnosis or prognosis from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist based on an applicant's medical records (for a disabling mental injury) to assess, whether, on balance, an applicant has sustained a qualifying injury. The commissioning of medical examinations or evaluations and prognoses enables CICA to identify the correct injury award-banding and potential future loss of earnings figures.

A tiered approach is expected with desk-top reviews being undertaken and in-person assessments where that is deemed necessary. CICA will commission services based on a desk-top review or special medical examination as needed on a case-by-case basis. The Contractor may arrange a medical examination for desk top review cases where the nature, extent and duration of an injury are unclear. On these occasions, the Contractor must explain why a medical examination is deemed necessary and obtain approval or instruction from CICA on how to proceed.

It should be noted that CICA are NOT referring an applicant for treatment, but rather seeking a medical expert to assist the Authority in making a proper assessment for compensation.

Additional information:

Please complete the questionnaire at the following link. The purpose of the questionnaire is for us to gauge the scale of a future procurement.

Please note that any queries will not be answered until w/c 20 September, due to annual leave commitments.