Delay in Finalising IHR and IOD Cases

By way of update, following the recent assembly election and failure to form an Executive, this has had a direct impact on the work of the Northern Ireland Policing Board (the Board) and specifically Police Administration Branch. 

You will be aware that Police Administration Branch is responsible for administering the Ill Health Retirement (IHR) and Injury on Duty (IOD) process for serving and retired officers. You will also be aware that it is the Board’s Resources Committee which ultimately considers and provides final decisions in all IHR and IOD cases.

Following the assembly election, political members have not been nominated to the Board. Therefore they are not fully constituted as per the requirements of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. As such, it has not been possible to convene any further meetings of the Board or its Resources Committee. 

Board Officials have indicated they will continue to progress casework in the normal manner to include the scheduling of all medical assessments at Waterside Tower. However, final determinations on all case will not be able to be provided until the Board has been fully reconstituted.  All affected will be written to on a case by case basis to explain same following their attendance with the Selected Medical Practitioner or Independent Medical Referee. The Police Administration Branch will also continue to work to the established monthly cycle meaning any applicants who have attended for assessment within the preceding month will be issued with a holding letter at the same time that they would ordinarily have received their full result letter further to the Resources Committee.

A further update will be provided when this impasse has been capable of being rectified.

L J Kelly

Secretary

PFNI Pensions Lead