Request

‘while I acknowledge your statement that independent medical assessors are GMC-registered doctors with a minimum of five years of experience, I must formally request clarification regarding their specific expertise in vaccine-related injuries and SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration).

1. Does the medical assessor assigned to my case have direct experience in post-vaccine neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and neurological complications?

2. Will my case be reviewed by a specialist in vaccine injuries, given the complexity of my medical evidence?’

Our response

Question 1 - does the medical assessor assigned to my case have direct experience in post-vaccine neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and neurological complications?

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. This is because the medical qualifications and experience of the medical assessors are the responsibility of the third-party medical assessment supplier.

I hope, however, that the following information provides reassurance on this point:

• all claims are assessed by the independent medical assessment company with a consistent approach
• each case is considered on its own merits, by an experienced independent medical assessor

The contract with our supplier does not require them to tell us details of the qualifications of the medical assessors or their experience.

The contract requires that all assessments carried out are undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced Registered Medical Practitioners. This includes being registered on the UK General Medical Register (GMC), with a licence to practise and meet or exceed the following requirements:

• they are a registered medical practitioner with at least five years post graduate experience; and
• they have experience of the performance of medical and/ or disability assessment, addressing questions of causation and impact in the context of legislative or policy requirements to assist the decision maker

Question 2 - Will my case be reviewed by a specialist in vaccine injuries, given the complexity of my medical evidence?

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA. This is because the assignment of claims for assessment to an assessor as well as the medical qualifications and experience of the medical assessors are the responsibility of the third-party medical assessment supplier.

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 2025” 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.