28 November 2007 – New training for nurses will help get patients back to work
A new training programme designed to help nurses get their patients ready for work following an injury, disability or period of ill-health, is launched today by Lord McKenzie, Minister for Health and Work, and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The training will cover the relationship between work and health, focusing on rehabilitation and workplace adjustments. It has been written by the RCN, with input from the Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health. It will be on the RCN website and available to nurses across all nursing specialties.
Lord McKenzie said:
“If we are serious about helping people back into work after periods of ill health, injury or disability then we need to make sure our nurses are fully supported.
“The nursing profession has a vital role to play in the health and work agenda. Nurses interact with patients in so many ways, across the full range of health services. And just like GPs, their advice and actions help to shape the patients views and influence their actions.
“We’ve known for a long time that work is the best route out of financial poverty and social exclusion. But crucially evidence now shows that work is good for our health too.”
RCN General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:
“Every person who is able to work deserves the opportunity to work. It's absolutely vital that we should give people support to get back into the workplace when they are well enough to do so.
“The RCN has long recognised that we need to engage with the whole nursing workforce if we are make to progress in the areas of health, work and well-being.
That’s why, with the help and support of the DWP, we have developed a new learning zone on our website. The learning package we’ve jointly developed is aimed at every nurse in every healthcare sector and is designed to raise awareness, change thinking and enhance practice.”
Notes for Editors
- The module incorporates the key findings of the evidence review published by Waddell and Burton in 2006.
DWP Press Office: Ruth Allman – 020 3267 5134
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
Royal College of Nursing Press office: 0207 647 3633