Healthy Working UK

 

Healthy Working UK - a website providing doctors and other healthcare professionals timely access to information, guidance and training on the management of health and work: www.healthyworkinguk.co.uk

 

 

We know that the longer people are away from work, the lower the likelihood that they will return. Return rates drop sharply after the first few months – 80% of those off work for more than six months will still be out of work five years later.

 

Of course this is not beneficial for the employers who lose vital skills, nor the government who must pay these benefits. This is also bad for the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of the people concerned and their families. Evidence consistently shows that good quality work is good for mental and physical health.

 

Research from EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, found that about 20% of companies indicated that the new fit note had made a tangible difference to their employees. This is a positive start one year on from the launch of the fit note, and shows what can be achieved. However many more employers and employees have yet to experience the benefits in practice.

 

So, the new fit note is starting to have an effect, but there is more health professionals and employers can do together to help employees with health conditions recover more quickly and avoid them falling out of work altogether.

 

Healthy Working UK is a one stop shop with searchable catalogues of leaflets, guidance, learning resources, and information on local and national services available. Together, these create an excellent launch pad to answer any questions you may have on health and work or the fit note.

 

Healthy Working UK now has a new look and updated resources. A visit is essential to learn more about this important topic.

 

 

Health e-Working Primary Care: Six RCGP accredited half hour e-modules accredited covering health and work topics designed to support the GP in their everyday practice.

 

Health e-Working Secondary Care: Six short scenario-based e-learning units built in collaboration with the Colleges and speciality societies illustrating how work and health issues can be incorporated into the daily management of patients.

 

Fit for Work Decision Aid: Now available as a downloadable app this decision aid assists GPs in assessing patients' fitness for work as well as advising on how to complete the fit note.

 

Fit Note Guide: This quick guide shows how to complete the fit note using examples, to provide more information to patients and employers about the functional effects of their condition.

 

 

Healthy Working UK was developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners, in collaboration with the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, and Society of Occupational Medicine with funding from the Department for Work & Pensions, Department for Health and the Welsh Assembly Government.