Government is right to say ëWork is good for youí say Doctors

Occupational health doctors today welcomed the Governmentís response to the first ever review into the health of the working age population – Working for a Healthier Tomorrow.

Many workers currently have no access or very limited access to occupational health services. Indeed, those workers in jobs that have the highest risk of work-related injuries and illness often have the worst access to workplace health care. The Faculty and Society of Occupational Medicine believe that the initiatives outlined in todayís announcement are a crucial step in addressing this inequality.

For most people, work is a key factor in their self-worth, family esteem and identity – yet too many people are not helped quickly enough when they become sick and find themselves on a downward spiral into long-term sickness and a life on benefits.

ìThe fact that for most people work is good for them has for a long time been overlooked. î said Dr Tony Stevens, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine. ìThe positive links between work and health need to be recognised by all. Too many people are still told that they canít work, when with specialist occupational health support they can. The Society of Occupational Medicine is delighted that this Government has sought to redress this and promote the health benefits of employment to the entire population.î

As occupational health services are not available to the majority of workers, the Government is also right to recognise the crucial role General Practitioners will play in changing this. However, the majority of General Practitioners have had little or no training in occupational health. The Society and Faculty, in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners, are currently developing educational initiatives to address this and we are pleased that the Government has pledged ongoing support for this. However, we believe there is a need to go further; it is essential that training in occupational medicine is embedded in the curriculum for all general practitioners and forms a vital part of their continuing professional development as they progress through their careers.

Helping people with health problems stay in work is not just about medical treatment; it is much more complex and sometimes needs expert help. In some difficult cases, General Practitioners will need the ability to refer on to specialist occupational health consultants and other expert professionals. For this purpose, the review recommended that ìFit for Workî services be developed and piloted. It is good that Government has agreed to pursue this proposal, and particularly that it appreciates the need for rigorous evaluation. We need to ensure that any interventions are carefully evaluated and audited. We believe that specialist occupational health doctors are uniquely well placed to lead services of this sort.

As well as improved support for GPs, there is a need for better-coordinated training and updating of specialist occupational health professionals, founded on strong science. This will be one of the priorities for the new Council of Occupational Health that is being set up by our own and other professional organisations. We are grateful for Governmentís encouragement in this important undertaking.

We are already working actively with other professional groups to develop a system of standards and voluntary accreditation for occupational services. The aim is to promote best practice, and at the same time to assist employers in making the best choices when they engage occupational health services. Again, we are encouraged by the support that Government has promised for this exercise.

ìThe Government is moving in the right direction on this,î said Professor David Coggon, President of the Faculty of Occupations Medicine. ìWe particularly applaud their commitment to working in partnership with health professionals, employers and other stakeholders. It is now up to all of us who work in occupational health to ensure that we build on the opportunities presented.î

Overall, the Society and Faculty of Occupational Medicine view the Governmentís response as a major step forward in the drive to improve the health of people of working age.