Police officers on Ill Health Retirement process from 2020 to 2024

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.043319

I note you seek access to the following information:

For the past five years: (2020-2025)

1. The number of police officers who have started the Ill Health Retirement (IHR) process
   a. (i.e., those referred to Occupational Health for IHR consideration).
2. The number of officers who have retired on ill-health grounds as a result of the IHR process.
3. The number of officers who have submitted Injury on Duty (IOD) claims under the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006.
4. The number of officers whose IOD claims were successful.
5. The number of officers whose IOD claims were unsuccessful.
6. A breakdown of the IOD banding decisions for successful claims,
   a. (bands 1-4 as defined by PIBR 2006)
7. A copy of the force’s policy on the IOD process
   a. (not the IHR, sickness, Attendance Management or similar policy, but specifically how the force manages IOD claims after an officer has left).
8. The length of time taken to process each IOD claim.
9. Average time to process IOD claims.
10. The resources/personnel/team/department allocated to managing IOD claims (including the number of personnel assigned).
11. Whether the force conducts any follow-up or impact assessments to understand the long-term effects of the process on officers who have retired due to IOD.
12. Please breakdown of the data by borough, district, or department.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1- The number of police officers who have started the Ill Health Retirement (IHR) process.
a. (i.e., those referred to Occupational Health for IHR consideration).

2020 – 26
2021 – 25
2022 – 52
2023 – 43
2024 – 62
2025 – 19

Q2 - The number of officers who have retired on ill-health grounds as a result of the IHR process.

2020 – 28
2021 – 33
2022 – 28
2023 – 27
2024 – 46

Q3 - The number of officers who have submitted Injury on Duty (IOD) claims under the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006.

2020 – 30
2021 – 22
2022 – 15
2023 – 21
2024 – 23

Q4 - The number of officers whose IOD claims were successful.

2020 – 20
2021 – 13
2022 – 10
2023 – 13
2024 – 16

Q5 - The number of officers whose IOD claims were unsuccessful.

2020 – 10
2021 – 9
2022 – 5
2023 – 8
2024 – 7

Q6 - A breakdown of the IOD banding decisions for successful claims,
a. (bands 1-4 as defined by PIBR 2006)

2020 – 15 x Band 1; 5 x Band 2; 0 x Band 3; 0 x Band 4
2021 – 5 x Band 1; 6 x Band 2; 0 x Band 3; 2 x Band 4
2022 – 3 x Band 1; 3 x Band 2; 3 x Band 3; 1 x Band 4
2023 – 5 x Band 1; 7 x Band 2; 1 x Band 3; 0 x Band 4
2024 – 5 x Band 1; 7 x Band 2; 2 x Band 3; 2 x Band 4

Q7 - A copy of the force’s policy on the IOD process.
a. (not the IHR, sickness, Attendance Management or similar policy, but specifically how the force manages IOD claims after an officer has left).

The ex-officer is asked to complete an application form and to provide any documentary evidence in support of their claim. The Police Pension Authority (PPA ) will then authorise referral to the Selected Medical Practitioner (SMP) to consider causation and calculate the degree of disablement if appropriate.

Q8 - The length of time taken to process each IOD claim.

This information is not recorded. There is no timescale within the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006 to either applying for or processing IOD applications however, the aim is to process all applications in a timely manner. Not all applicants have been medically retired and permanent medical unfitness will therefore need to be established first. Awards are backdated and arrears paid.

Q9 - Average time to process IOD claims.

See Q8.

Q10 - The resources/personnel/team/department allocated to managing IOD claims (including the number of personnel assigned).

Currently one member of staff allocated to managing IOD claims based within the HR Department.

Q11 - Whether the force conducts any follow-up or impact assessments to understand the long-term effects of the process on officers who have retired due to IOD.

It is not clear whether the questioner is referring to the long-term effects of the IOD application process itself, in which case, no, there is no follow up. If the questioner is referring to the long-term effects of the IOD, the ex-officer may request a review of their entitlements if their condition has either deteriorated or improved.

Q12 - Please breakdown of the data by borough, district, or department.

This information is not recorded.