Kent County Council launches Fit for Work scheme in East Kent
The overall costs of working-age ill health in the UK exceed £100billion per year* and can have a serious impact on business, particularly small and medium-size companies.
In East Kent, a scheme is being piloted to make return to work faster and easier for employers and employees. The scheme is for employees registered at GP practices in eastern and coastal Kent in areas including Dover, Thanet Canterbury, Shepway, Ashford and Swale. This is being trialled until June 2011 and the service may be continued and widened if it proves to be successful.
Fit for Work is a free service that works with employers, employees, GPs and a range of specialists. It provides personal ‘back to work' support and advice in the early stages of sickness to tackle underlying health conditions and other barriers to work.
Kent Director of Public Health, Meradin Peachey, is urging businesses in East Kent to take advantage of the help that is there: "When staff go on long-term sick leave it is often very stressful, frustrating and time-consuming for everyone involved. This service offers both employers and their staff access to expert, personalised help, so recovery and return to work can happen much more quickly - and that's good news for everyone involved."
A referral to the service can be made by employers, the member of staff themselves, or their GP. Once a referral is made, a Fit for Work health professional will contact the employee to discuss a personalised programme and make sure they have the right help and support to get back to work.
A team of occupational therapists, employment specialists, psychologists and physiotherapists is available depending on the individual's needs.
The service is completely free and includes case management to ensure an effective and long term return to work. For more information about the scheme call 01843 830220 or visit http://www.kent.gov.uk/news_and_events/news_archive/fit_for_work.aspx.
*Black Report, 2008
Source: Kent County Council
