NowMedical's Template
NowMedical produce their Advices on a standard template. I have analysed that template in this article, Standard NowMedical Arguments. I have now produced a video version.
Test for Vulnerability
The courts have laid down a test as to whether a homeless applicant should be regarded as vulnerable. Dr Keen and NowMedical have been applying a different test they call the “reasonable function” test. Its source is unknown. The Supreme Court in Hotak v LB Southwark [2015] UKSC 30 revised the test for vulnerability. I said it would be interesting to see if NowMedical revise theirs. They have not. And a further attempt to introduce "functionality" as part of the test failed in Guiste v LB Lambeth [2019] EWCA Civ 1758. See my article.
In the Press
I contributed to Maeve McClenaghan's article in Dec 2019 for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and to May Bullman's parallel articles in the Independent. James Moore also did a follow-up comment piece.
Highlights of Dr Keen's work for the Home Office are set out in Clare Sambrook's articles for OpenDemocracy, "Fit to fly?" and "Controversial doctor and Barnardo’s serve UK’s flawed child detention policy".
Private Eye published a piece in the 9-22 Dec 2011 issue on Dr Keen following his appointment to sit on a UK Border Agency advisory panel.
There was an article in the Guardian on Dr Keen and NowMedical on 29th August 2007. The Guardian also received some letters responding to the article.
Also see the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of Roof at pp35-37. (The author refused me permission to link to the article due to Dr Keen’s threats of libel action.)
Ending use of NowMedical
Islington Council decided, on recommendation, to end their contract with NowMedical and bring medical assessments in-house from April 2020, as reported in the Islington Tribune, the Independent and the Camden New Journal and by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. As of February 2022, they have employed an Occupational Therapist who actually sees or visits an applicant when necessary. If the results continue to be positive, they will look to expand the service.
According to a report in Southwark News, Southwark Council were also looking for an alternative. This was confirmed in their response to an FoI request.
Questions in Parliament
When he was an MP, Dr Ian Gibson asked questions in Parliament in 2006 about the use of NowMedical, as reported in Hansard.
Research
Important and useful research was carried out in 2013 into the use of medical evidence in homelessness cases, including the role of outside medical advisers.
Andrew's Story
NowMedical got a mention in Andrew’s Story, a book by Brenda Prentice about her adopted son’s 20-year fight with pancreatitis.
Immigrant Children
Dr Keen is not only active in housing. He has also been appointed to an “independent” Panel guarding the welfare of children detained by the UK Border Agency. Clare Sambrook, a journalist, has been following his role.
FoI
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets and, more recently, the London Borough of Southwark released some interesting information about their use of NowMedical in response to a FoI request.
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