Occupational health: New scheme aims to improve health of working population
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new initiative to promote healthy living in the working population.
The scheme, A strategy for the health and well-being of working age people, is designed to cut occupational ill health, a drain that is costing the UK economy 40 million working days a year.
Among the key proposals laid out in the strategy is a new position of national director for occupational health who will work across the DWP, the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive. The primary role of the director will be to oversee implementation of the Government's new strategy and to raise awareness about the relationship between work, good health and well-being. The director should be appointed by the end of the year.
Other plans detailed in the document include establishing a national stakeholder council and network, holding a stakeholder summit and developing a charter for health, work and well-being by Spring 2006.
The new scheme was announced as new research conducted by Harvard Medical School and the American Institute for Health and Productivity Management found that staff offered health promotion packages were far more productive than those who were not. In the survey, a group of 600 employees increased productivity by 9% after being given access to occupational health services.
Over the same period, a control group, which was not given any health promotion, saw productivity remain static.
The new scheme aims to improve the health and well-being of the working population, increase employment, improve attendance and increase productivity.
"We know that people in work have better health than those out of work and it is clear that work can improve your mental and physical health," said Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health, when announcing the launch.
"This strategy will help break the cycle of deprivation, where poor health leads to unemployment and wasted lives as people fail to reach their full potential," she added.
The launch of the scheme coincided with the first Association of British Insurers (ABI) health conference. The proposals were praised by ABI director general Stephen Haddrill: "The creation of the new post of director of occupational health is a big step forward. On behalf of the insurance industry, we stand ready to play a full and committed part in delivering the Government's strategy," he said.
