MSPS are set to call for a Scottish Government probe into evidence benefits claimants are being subjected unnecessarily to stressful fitness-for-work tests.
Holyrood's welfare reform committee revealed figures in May showing thousands of claimants undergo tests as GPs are failing to provide the Department for Work and Pensions with medical information on time.
MSPs meeting tomorrow are expected to back calls for the Government to investigate. The probe should focus on health boards "where GPs are poor performers" according to proposals circulated to committee members.
DWP figures obtained by the committee under the Freedom of Information Act showed family doctors provided information requested by the DWP in only 60% of cases.
Medical information supplied by GPs is taken into account when the DWP considers claims for employment support allowance, a key benefit for people unable to work on health grounds.
In cases where the information is supplied on time, more than half of claimants were not required to undergo a test, known as Work Capability Assessments.
The tests, carried out by private contractor Atos as part of the Government's drive to move people off sickness benefits, have been blamed for causing stress.
The DWP's figures showed the department made 71,023 requests for medical information across Scotland in the 12 months to the end of February.
Doctors responded within the 14-day deadline in 58.9% of cases.
Doctors leaders have complained of being given "short timescales" to provide information.
Herald Scotland
MSPs meeting tomorrow are expected to back calls for the Government to investigate. The probe should focus on health boards "where GPs are poor performers" according to proposals circulated to committee members.
Medical information supplied by GPs is taken into account when the DWP considers claims for employment support allowance, a key benefit for people unable to work on health grounds.
In cases where the information is supplied on time, more than half of claimants were not required to undergo a test, known as Work Capability Assessments.
The tests, carried out by private contractor Atos as part of the Government's drive to move people off sickness benefits, have been blamed for causing stress.
The DWP's figures showed the department made 71,023 requests for medical information across Scotland in the 12 months to the end of February.
Doctors responded within the 14-day deadline in 58.9% of cases.
Doctors leaders have complained of being given "short timescales" to provide information.
Herald Scotland
