Devolution delivers for injured police officers

11.44.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Oct 2010

Justice Minister David Ford

Justice Minister David Ford has today published the final report on the review of police injury award arrangements.

The Minister initiated a review in May 2010 in response to concerns that were raised about the efficacy and efficiency of the process.

David Ford said "This report is an excellent example of the difference devolution can make to the people of Northern Ireland. We listened to the feedback from the public and a number of stakeholders and immediately set about changing the practical arrangements of the scheme.

"The recommendations in the report represent a measured package and are aimed at all stages of the process from initial assessment through to review and appeal stage."

The Review team, jointly chaired by the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Policing Board have made a number of recommendations to improve the whole injury on duty process. They include:-

-A minimum 5 year period before review in all cases.

-Reviews to be set aside for those who are suffering from the most severe psychological conditions.

-Improving time taken for an appeal.

-Successful appeals against review decisions to be backdated to the date the award was reduced.

-A pool of doctors will be available to act as Selected Medical Practitioners (SMP).

-Individuals will have the option to have their appeal carried out by a different SMP from initial assessment.

-Further work to be carried out on the possibility of a 2 person appeal panel, chaired by an Occupational Health Specialist.

David Ford continued "The issue of backdating after a successful appeal was one of the most emotive issues presented to me. The Review Panel sought evidence from other police forces in the UK and appeal bodies in Northern Ireland and have recommended that successful appeals should have the decision backdated to the date the award was reduced. I feel that this is a fair and just recommendation.

"Recommendations have also been made as to how the appeals process can be improved both in the short term and in the future. Reducing the time taken for appeals can only be beneficial to those individuals going through the process."