The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published guidelines for individuals and healthcare professionals regarding patients about to return to work.
It outlines the support available and legal requirements for employees, employers and medical staff to assist in returning people to work.
Bodies including medical Royal Colleges and charities have been consulted on the document which spells out details for patients re-entering work:
• following a surgical procedure,
• following a period of mental ill health, or
• while managing a chronic or fluctuating health condition.
It explains how work can be good for an individual's health and well-being and that work can play a positive part in an individual's recovery.
And the Department hopes the guidance will aid discussion between clinicians and patients and between employers and employees.
The ‘Work Life' guide is primarily aimed at staff and employers and was the result of work led by the MS Society, working with a number of charities, employment organisations, and other healthcare professionals.
More targeted information for clinicians is available from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) websites.
