Applicants whose NHS employment ceases on or before 30 March 2018 need to make their application on form AW13, which is available from employers. Part of the form is completed by the employer and part of it by the applicant.
Whilst employers can express an opinion as to an individual’s entitlement to PIB they cannot deny an individual’s right to apply for PIB.
Applications can be completed whilst an employee is still employed, but the outcome cannot normally be decided until they have left their NHS employment or moved to a permanent lower paid job.
In the course of a PIB application the employee must provide the Scheme administrators with the following information:
- the injuries sustained or the disease contracted (i.e. the condition), its treatment and prognosis
- how it is connected to their NHS employment or duties (i.e. what caused it)
- how or whether the injury or disease has caused a permanent reduction in earning ability.
With the PIB application form, employers must include copies of:
- all accident reports
- all Occupational Health Department notes and records
- reports of any internal investigation connected with the claim
- a full job description
- sick leave records
- a full statement of events explaining what injury/disease the applicant is claiming for and the circumstances leading to the claim. Employers who do not support the claim must still provide a statement, and whatever other information the Scheme administrators require to process the claim.
Applicants are required to provide, on the application form, a statement explaining the details of the injury sustained or disease contracted and its effect on their ability to work and carry out daily activities. They are asked to check the information provided on the form by their employer and any other accompanying documentation, and to provide copies of all documents or reports in their possession that relate to their application. These might include accident book records, DWP accident declarations or medical assessment papers, witness statements, GP or hospital records, compensation claims and any other evidence they think might be useful in supporting their application.