health director wants 'Fit for Work' service
Thu 20 Mar 2008
20/03/2008
Dame Carol Black has proposed a 'Fit for Work' service be established and run by the National Health Service. It would be the focus of her drive to improve workers' ill health which she claimed was costing the UK £100 billion a year. The new service would be located either in or near primary care centres and would offer specific treatments relevant to the work place. Case managers could refer people for exercise plans, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, physiotherapy and occupational health support. She said that occupational health practices are "failing to meet current needs" and suggested that occupational health practices be extended to all people of working age. Dame Carol said that good work related support was limited to only a few employers and the report suggested trade unions could also help improve workers' health.
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