Rehabilitation provision needs to be brought up to the standards of other industrialised countries
Victims of workplace injury and illness are being let down by inadequate rehabilitation services, according to a joint consultation report from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The report, Getting Back To Work, calls for an overhaul of rehabilitation services in the UK, with a more co-ordinated approach to provision and greater involvement from employers.
According to the report, Britain falls behind other industrialised countries in providing rehabilitation services for people injured at, or made ill, by work. As a result 27,000 people leave employment each year and never return. An estimated 14.5 million working days are lost each year, costing £14bn a year.
Mary Francis, director general of the ABI, said: 'Britain's rehabilitation services are far from healthy. The current system is failing ill and injured workers and their families. The longer someone is off work ill, the less chance they have of returning. This can have far-reaching consequences for the injured person, their family and their employer. Insurers recognise the important role they have to play, and are keen to play their part in pushing for much-needed improvements to rehabilitation practices.'
Getting Back To Work gave the reasons behind the lack of rehabilitation as: a lack of early intervention, a fragmented system with no clear leadership in co-ordinating rehabilitation services or research and uneven distribution of rehabilitation resources throughout the UK.
The report suggests improving rehabilitation services including improved awareness of the importance of rehabilitation among those injured or ill, employers, insurers, legal representatives and general practitioners. It also calls for responsibility for rehabilitation within one Government department and greater employer commitment, through, for example, a mandatory rehabilitation policy.
Rehabilitation is a major benefit of income protection plans. John Richie, head of distribution, employee benefits, at Swiss Life, said: 'As an employer, are you prepared to be negligent about your cost base and the people in your community? If you are not active in rehabilitation, insurers are a fantastic access point to facilitate rehabilitation ' you need the widest possible range of professionals that you can call on. An insurer can help employers to help themselves and group income protection is a cost-spreading device.'
Between now and 1 September the ABI will be seeking the views of all interested parties, including rehabilitation providers, the Government, insurers, and personal injury and insurance lawyers. The ABI is keen to hear the views of any individual or organisation with an interest in rehabilitation.
