Minister Announces Extensive Review Of Working Age People’s Health

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton has announced a comprehensive review of the health of the working age population, assessing current health levels and providing a benchmark against which to measure future workplace health improvements.

The review will increase understanding of the beneficial link between work and health, and help identify where the greatest improvements can be made to the health of those who are in or want to return to work. It will be led by Dame Carol Black, the National Director for Health and Work, and was commissioned by the DWP in conjunction with the Department for Health.

Speaking at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) annual conference in Shropshire, John Hutton said: “Today the UK has one of the best health and safety records anywhere in the world. This achievement is a tremendous tribute to all those who have fought to improve the conditions at work – from the leadership of professional bodies such IOSH and the evolving partnership between employers, Government and health and safety practitioners across the UK.

“But thirty million working days are still lost every year due to occupational ill health and injury, leading to lower quality of life and economic prospects for many people, and reducing the productivity of the workforce.

“Preventing people from becoming ill at work – and acting to support and rehabilitate those who do become ill – is not only right for individuals, it is also crucial for the success of business, for a strong economy and a strong society.

“That’s why the review I have announced today is so important, not just to help change public perceptions about the links between work and health, but also to help us refine our approach and maximise the impact of the Health Work and Well-being Strategy.”

John Hutton added that the Government intends to work more closely with IOSH. He said: “We are keen to maximise the contribution of health and safety practitioners, ensuring that Government provides them with the right support and encouraging partnership among all those with an interest in public and occupational health.”

Dame Carol Black said: “Since taking up my role last autumn I have seen many people showing great commitment to improving the health of the working age population. I have also seen many interesting projects and pilots across government, the private and voluntary sectors.

“This is an excellent point at which to review where we are, what has been learnt and to build on the good work already in place. We need to find the most productive ways forward, identify what really makes a different, and integrate the work across government, primary and secondary care, employers, occupational health and voluntary groups.

“This review will be invaluable in helping us to achieve our goals of tackling the root causes of ill-health and helping more people benefit from staying in or returning to work.”