Request

You asked us:

‘I am writing to request specific information regarding the medical assessment process used in relation to claims under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS).

This information is important to ensure transparency and confidence in the fairness and accuracy of the VDPS assessment process.’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 26 April 2026.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

Question 1 - Firstly, I would like to request details of the medical assessment agency or agencies currently responsible for assessing VDPS claims. Please include the name(s) of the organisation(s) and their role in the assessment process.

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested.

The NHSBSA administers the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We contract a third-party medical assessor supplier, Crawford & Company, for the provision of medical assessments under the scheme.

Each claim is assessed by a General Medical Council registered doctor with a licence to practise.

Secondly, I wish to understand how to formally raise serious concerns regarding the ability or conduct of the agency responsible for carrying out these assessments. In particular, I would be grateful if you could provide:

This information is important to ensure transparency and confidence in the fairness and accuracy of the VDPS assessment process.’

Under Section 21 of the FOIA we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you.

If you wish to make a complaint about the service you have received, you can find more information about how to do this on the NHSBSA website at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaints

Our complaints policy explains the process of reviewing your complaint and what you can do if you remain unhappy following our response.

If you wish to challenge a decision about a Vaccine Damage Payment

If a claim is rejected and the claimant wants to challenge the decision, they can submit a request for their claim to be reassessed. Claimants are given information on how to challenge the decision if their claim is rejected. You can challenge the decision about your request for a Vaccine Damage Payment by submitting a reversal or by appealing the decision to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) if you have already submitted a reversal request. You cannot do both.

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2026” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.