Communities and Local Government

Appeals should be submitted to the ODPM with the following evidence:

• 2 copies of the fire authority's award decision letter.
• 2 copies of the appellant's notice of appeal (with attached Consent for Release of Medical Records).
• 2 copies of the medical opinion with which the appellant is dissatisfied.
• 2 copies of the form H2 - Appeal Notification from Fire Authority to ODPM.
• 2 Copies of the form H2 - Documents Form.
• The complete GP record (3 copies for the Board of Medical Referees).
• The complete record from the brigade Occupational Health file (3 copies for the Board of Medical Referees).
• Accident and incident reports relevant to the appeal (3 copies for the Board of Medical Referees).
• Original x-ray/scan films where appropriate (mainly orthopaedic cases).
• Complete hospital and specialist records where appropriate e.g. in cardiac cases details of tests are required with the final report (3 copies for the Board of Medical Referees).
• Any additional medical reports available to the fire authority relevant to the appeal (3 copies for the Board of Medical Referees).

• Appellants and fire authorities will be asked to list dates when they and their representatives will not be available for appeal hearings for a period between 2 to 4 months from the date of the submission of papers.
• Appellants will be required to sign a consent form for the provision and release of medical evidence. A specimen can be found at Annex A. The consent form will have a life of six months.

• Appellants will be advised that cancellations or postponements will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances e.g. in respect of the appellant's illness (which will require a Doctor's certificate), attendance at a Court hearing, or bereavement (and then only of a close relative.) If an appellant is to be represented a substitute will have to attend if the representative is not available.

• Fire authorities will always be expected to find a substitute for any representative unable to attend.
• Appeal hearings will be at the venue nearest to brigade headquarters, but appellants may ask for the appeal to be heard at one of the other venues giving reasons for their preference. A Fire Authority will be able to raise reasonable objections.

An appeal Board will consist of three doctors:

• Chairperson - Consultant Physician who is a Fellow or Member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
• Second member - Consultant Physician who is at least an Associate Member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
• Third member - Consultant Physician* with the relevant medical expertise pertaining to the particular medical condition to be heard by the Appeal Board.

*It may be necessary to have more than one Consultant with the relevant medical experience if the appeal concerns more than one medical condition.

Appeals may be heard in the following locations:

• Birmingham - BUPA Occupational Health Transport & Engineering, 7^th Floor, 102 New Street, Birmingham, B2 4HQ.
• Bristol - Chesterfield Nuffield Hospital, Clifton Hill, Bristol, BS8 1BP.
• Edinburgh - BUPA Murrayfield Hospital, 122 Costorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6UD. (To be confirmed)
• Glasgow - To be advised.
• Leeds - To be advised.
• London - London Independent Hospital, 1 Beaumont Square, Stepney Green, London E1 4ND.
• Manchester - BUPA Hospital Manchester, Russell Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8AJ.

When an appellant is too ill to travel BUPA Wellness will discuss with the individual how best to arrange the appeal.

The following should be provided:

• A hearing room sufficient in size to accommodate the hearing i.e. three Board members, plus fire authority representatives* and appellant and any representatives*.
• A private room with appropriate medical equipment for the third Board member to undertake the specialised medical examination.
• A waiting room/area.
• Appropriate reception and toilet facilities.
• A facility to enable Board members to converse in private.

*Appellants and fire authorities/brigades will be asked to say how many people are likely to attend to ensure the venue is suitable.

• Appeals should be completed within 16 weeks of BUPA Wellness receiving all the required medical evidence.
• BUPA Wellness will acknowledge receipt of the appeal from ODPM within 5 working days and will advise fire authorities/brigades whether any additional information is required, copies to the appellant and ODPM.
• Appellants and fire authorities will be given 2 months notice of the appeal date, but if a short-notice or cancellation date can be offered BUPA will do so. But it will be for interested parties to agree whether an earlier date is acceptable.
• The Receipt of the Appeal Report should be within 10 days of the appeal hearing, (or 15 days in extenuating circumstances i.e. needing to obtain further information from a brigade or if the third Consultant is not available to sign, when BUPA Wellness will clear this with the ODPM).

BUPA Wellness will up-date ODPM regularly on the progress of the appeals it has on hand.

Any concerns the appellant or the fire authority has in regard to how the appeal process is operating or any policy issues should be put to the ODPM. Contact either:

Ashim Manikandan, Fire Policy Division, Zone B, 17^th Floor, Portland House, Stag Place, London SW1E 5LP. Telephone No. 020 7944 8087. E-mail. Ashim.Manikandan@communities.gsi.gov.uk or

Vidya Ramroop, at the same address, telephone number 020 7944 8157. E-mail Vidya.Ramroop.gsi.gov.uk.

Inquiries about arrangements for hearings should be made to:

The Price for an appeal will be £4,200, but if the two main targets are not met the cost could decrease to £3,800 i.e.

• If the appeal not completed within 16 weeks of receipt of all medical evidence the price will decrease by £200.
• If the report is not received within 10 working days of the appeal hearing (in extenuating circumstances, and with the approval of ODPM this deadline may be extended by a further 5 working days) the price will decrease by £200.

The cost could further increase if a fourth member of the Panel is required because more than one medical condition is involved. Each additional member would cost £570.

(not at BUPA Wellness' request) will be as follows: (please note that a working day is defined as Monday to Friday inclusive, excluding public holidays.)

• 1 working days' notice - £4,200.
• 2 working days' notice - £3,800.
• 3 working days' notice - £3,500.
• 4/10 working days' notice - £2,500.

Only in exceptional circumstances will appeal dates be postponed. If the appellant asks for a postponement/cancellation within the periods shown above, he/she could be asked to pay the above charges. Fire Authorities will always be expected to attend hearing dates.

BUPA Wellness will retain papers relating to any appeal for 12 months after completion of the report and will then destroy the medical records that have been sent to them.