FOI-03497

Thank you for your request for information about the following: 

<strong>Request</strong>

You asked us:

<i>‘I would like to request information on the average timeframes for medical assessor outcomes under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme’</i>

On 23 January 2026 we received your clarified response:

<i>‘To clarify, the information I am seeking is as follows:<br>
<ul>
<li>Time period: From the start of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme to the most recent data available.
<li>Vaccine specificity: This request is not limited to a particular vaccine; it relates to all vaccines covered under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.
<li>Average timeframes: By “average timeframes for medical assessor outcomes,” I am referring specifically to the time taken from the date a completed application is submitted, including the mandatory disclosure date, to the point at which a medical assessor outcome is reached and communicated to the claimant.’</i></ul>

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 30 December 2025 and your clarified request on 23 January 2026. 

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

<strong>Our response</strong>

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested.

The data is as of 31 December 2025 and relates to all eligible vaccines. Please note that the answer only refers to claims processed by NHSBSA, as the previous administrators, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), did not record an equivalent date to "Date notified of outcome". 

The length of time it takes to progress a claim to the medical assessment stage depends on how long it takes for the healthcare providers listed on the claim form to send medical records to us. We’re working with healthcare providers to speed up their response times to requests for medical records.

For initial claims, between 1 November 2021 to 31 December 2025, the mean average time from receiving a claim to a medical assessor outcome being communicated was 283 days.  This  covers all accepted and rejected claims and covers the period from when an initial completed application is received by the NHSBSA to the date the outcome is posted to the claimant.

<strong>Data Queries</strong>

Please contact <a href=mailto:foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk>foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a>  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.

<strong>Reusing the data and copyright</strong>

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact <a href=mailto:communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk>communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk</a>. 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:<br>
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.


Tags: NHSBSA corporate, Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, nhsbsa, vdps
Organization: Freedom of Information Disclosure Log