11 October 2007 – Government links with business and medical profession to improve health of working age people
Practical steps to improve people’s health and help them remain in or return to work are the aim of the Government’s 'Call for Evidence' issued today, as part of the first ever review of the health of the working age population.
At the launch, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Peter Hain and Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson heard evidence from leading business and medical professionals on what action needs to be taken. Dame Carol Black, the Government’s first ever National Director for Health and Work, will lead the review and chaired today’s round-table event.
Peter Hain said:
“Last year 175million working days were lost to sickness absence, costing organisations about £650 per employee. But the human cost is worse. Without the right support people can slip into a life on benefits and lose contact with the labour market. We know nine out of 10 people coming onto incapacity benefit expect and want to get back into work.
“This means that we urgently need to address how we can improve people’s health and support them to stay in or return to work. That is why we have asked Dame Carol to scrutinise this area and provide us with some answers”.
Alan Johnson said:
"Helping people to stay healthy and well at work improves staff morale as well as a business' productivity, yet there is a surprising lack of clarity about what exactly helps us to improve people's health in the work place.
"Dame Carol's work to understand how we can improve health and well-being in the workplace, combined with the extension of psychological therapies that I announced yesterday, has the potential to help millions of people.
"Each year many people are unnecessarily forced to give up their jobs because of health problems, which is a terrible waste of talent for British business. If we can understand what exactly helps people to stay well and in work then it has the potential to keep people working, saving business' huge amounts in sick leave."
Dame Carol said:
“People that work are healthy, wealthier, and live longer than the unemployed. The benefits to the individual are clear; but employers also have much to gain. A motivated and engaged workforce is far more productive and efficient. It also dramatically cuts the cost of unnecessary sickness absence – which is no better for the individual than it is for business. Ultimately investment in workplace health will yield multiple returns.
“But why don’t more employers invest in this area? Do GPs provide the right advice to patients? What support should the Government provide? And what are the true costs of ill-health – to society, business, and individuals? I will be seeking answers to tough questions like these over the coming months.”
People and organisations are encouraged to contribute to the consultation at www.workingforhealth.gov.uk or to take part in a series of events around the country which Dame Carol will host. She will provide her recommendations to Ministers early next year.
The questions Dame Carol is seeking answers to are:
- How can we keep working age people healthy and how can the workplace be used to promote health?
- How can people best be helped to remain in or quickly return to work when they develop health conditions including chronic disease or disabilities?
- How does the age of the person affect the support that is needed?
- How can we encourage action to improve employee health?
- What underlies the apparent growth in mental health problems in the working age population and how can this be addressed?
- What constitutes effective occupational health provision and how can it be made available to all?
- What would be the impact on poverty and social inclusion of a healthier working age population?
- What are the costs of working age ill-health to business and what are the benefits to companies of investing in the health of their staff?
Participants at the round-table included Hamish Meldrum (BMA), Mayur Lakhani (RCGP), Maura Buchanan (RCN), Francis O’Grady (TUC), Stephen Howard (Business in the Community), Nick Kirwan (ABI), David Snashall (FOM), Alan Maryon Davis (FPH), Steve Barnett (NHS Employers), Gary Booton (EEF) and Judith Hackitt (HSC).
Notes to Editors
- Last September the DWP published an independent review, Is Work Good for your Health and Well-being? which concluded that ‘good work’ is beneficial for physical and mental health, boosting self esteem and quality of life. It showed that when people return to work from unemployment their health improves by as much as unemployment damages it.
- The Health Work and Well-beingstrategy was launched in October 2005 and is led by Dame Carol Black, the National Director for Health and Work. The strategy is a groundbreaking partnership between Government (Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive), employers and healthcare professionals. Its main themes are engaging stakeholders, improving working lives and healthcare for working age people.
- The Health, Work and Well-being strategy is about improving the health of the working age population, preventing work related injury or illness, intervening early when health problems arise, and providing rehabilitation support. The strategy reflects the Government’s Welfare Reform agenda which is committed to helping more people enter into, remain in, and return to work.
Media enquiries
DWP press office: Victoria Francis on 0203 267 5137
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk