Pro Installer September 2015 - Issue 30 | Page 54

54 PRO BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 2015 PRO INSTALLER www.proinstaller.co.uk New Return To Work Help Service Goes Live A new support service, designed to help working people who face long-term sickness absence return to work more quickly, is now available across the whole of England. The free and confidential service, known as Fit for Work, will provide the services of occupational health professionals to employed people if they have been, or are likely to be, off work for four weeks or more. According to government statistics, around 815,000 working people in England each year have sickness absence of four weeks or more. Research indicates that, without support, a significant proportion will struggle to return to their jobs. From today, all GPs in England will be able to offer their working patients a referral to the new service, which includes an in-depth assessment, followed by a personalised Return to Work Plan and managed support to get back to their jobs. Employers will also be able to refer their employees to the service from the autumn. The service, which is entirely voluntary, is intended to help the hundreds of thousands of people in England each year who are, or are likely to be, absent from work for more than four weeks due to illness or related issues. It will also help employers reduce the impact of long-term sickness absence on their businesses. The service is expected to be of particular value in small and medium-sized firms where there is no, or limited, employer occupational health support available. It is estimated that only 31% of employees currently have access to occupational health services through their place of work. During a series of events over recent months, GPs and practice managers in England and Wales have been briefed about the new service to which they can refer eligible patients, provided the individuals concerned give their consent.