EPN494 Scheme Medical Adviser – Reminder to register for training events.

Date posted: 14/03/2017

Audience:

• Civil Service, Agency and NDPB employers responsible for Scheme Medical Adviser (SMA) referrals and case-handling
• New Fair Deal employers using the SMA for referrals under the Civil Service pension arrangements
• Departmental Occupational Health providers (OHPs)

Action:

• To provide Cabinet Office with the name and contact details of individuals who will benefit from taking part in SMA training events by 17 March. It is essential that all employers register for the training by e-mailing smatraining@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
• If you are not someone who is responsible in your organisation for SMA referrals and case handling or part of your OH provider, please ensure that the information in this EPN is passed to the appropriate person or team.
• To ensure that your Occupational Health provider is made aware of the training opportunity and engages with it.

Timing

Action to be completed by 17 March 2017

Detail

1.  In EPN 489 published on 17 February 2017 it was announced that Cabinet Office and Health Management Limited (HML) are offering training events for those who will be using HML’s SMA services.

2.  You were asked to provide Cabinet Office with the contact details of the individual(s) within your organisation who are best placed to receive this training, this could be, but not limited to:

• Those staff who are responsible for making the current referrals to the SMA for your organisation;
• HR staff who advise staff on the process for making an Ill-Health Retirement referral;
• Staff who can operate as a ‘train the trainer’ for your organisation;
• In-house occupational health providers.

3. The response so far from employers has been low, only 25% of employers have signed up for the training. It is vital that all employers register for the training.

Please note: only those who attend the training will receive an access code which is a requirement when setting up log-ins to the online Portal. Without the access code, applications for ill health retirement or injury benefit may be delayed unnecessarily.

4. To reiterate, HML will be hosting a series of web-based seminars that your nominees will be able to access. We will shortly be confirming the dates and times of these. And we will send them via an EPN. Once you have registered for the training you will be able to confirm with HML your training preferences. Confirmation and log-in details will then be provided.

5. In addition to the training HML will provide fully detailed user guidance that takes users through the various stages of the online application process – from registering and receiving an access code and login, to being able to track cases, raise certain MI and receive the SMA’s advice.

Action for you to take now.

6. Please ensure that the appropriate person or persons register for the training by emailing the following details to the SMA Training mailbox at smatraining@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

• Name
• Organisation
• Job Title
• Official email address
• Official telephone number

If you require any further assistance on the content of this EPN please contact andy.black@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you have a question about the distribution of EPNs contact employerpensionnotice@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

You can find electronic copies of the Employer Pension Guide, all current EPNs and forms on our website.

This notice is for employers and should not be issued to scheme members.

If members have a question about their pension they can find information by contacting the Civil Service Pension Scheme.