Improving health and work: changing lives, published on 25 November 2008, is the Government’s response to "Working for a Healthier Tomorrow", Dame Carol Black’s Review of the health of Britain’s working age population.
The report and the Government's response place emphasis on keeping those who are sick in work. New measures announced in the report are intended to support disabled people or those who become ill to return to, or stay in work, by helping them manage their condition and get the right help to keep their jobs.
These proposals include:
Replacement of the paper medical certificate with an electronic ‘fit note’ intended to help GPs switch the focus of their advice to what people can do rather than what they cannot.
A national education programme for GPs to improve knowledge and skills when dealing with health and work issues to enable doctors to adapt the advice they give to help people stay in or return to work.
Pilots for ‘Fit for Work’ services which will support people on a period of sickness absence to return to work. These pilots will start in 2009 and will run at least until 2011. The ‘Fit for Work’ service pilots will provide case-managed, multi-disciplinary support and various models will be tested.
Pilots for the embedding of Employment Advisers within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme from early 2009.
The extension of the Pathways Advisory Service, which places Employment Advisers in GP surgeries, for a further three years.
A business health check tool to enable employers to estimate the costs of sickness absence.
Development of a national strategy for mental health and employment aimed at bringing employment and health services closer together to tackle issues such as stigma and discrimination.
Expansion of NHS Plus to continue to develop clinical and occupational health standards.
Creation of a National Centre for Working-Age Health and Well-Being, which will form an independent, authoritative body providing a range of core functions related to the health and well-being of working-age people. The Centre will identify evidence gaps and encourage research to close those gaps.
Creation of Health, Work and Well-being Co-ordinators who will stimulate action on health, work and well-being issues in their areas, offering advice and support to help local partnerships and engagement with smaller businesses in particular.
Piloting an occupational health helpline for smaller businesses. The helpline will offer help to smaller businesses by providing business hours access to professional occupational health advice on individual employee health issues (including mental health).
A Challenge Fund which will encourage local initiatives that improve workplace health and well-being through innovative approaches to ensure worker engagement.
Review of the Health and Wellbeing of the NHS workforce done in partnership with employers and staff, which will identify action to improve the health and wellbeing of the NHS workforce.
You can view the both Dame Carol Black’s Review and the Government's response from the links below.
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