Occupational Health Plan For Scottish Workers

A service that aims to tackle ill-health in Scotland’s workplaces was launched in Dundee yesterday.

People who work at small and medium-sized businesses in the city are being offered free access to specialist work health services.

The joint project, launched by the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives and the Dundee Community Health Partnership, is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

Working Health Services Dundee aims to support employees by offering help with common health problems such as back pain, skin conditions and mental-health problems.

The service allows employees access to a team made up of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, occupational health nurse, occupational health doctor, counsellor and complementary therapist.

If the two-year pilot is a success it may be rolled out to other health board areas in Scotland. The rehabilitation development manager at Healthy Working Lives, Kathleen Houston, said: “This new service is intended to provide a support network to keep people in employment and also assist those who have been off work for some time by providing them with advice, support and treatment best suited to their needs.

“For many, the workplace can be a challenging and stressful environment which can be the cause of many work-related ill conditions such as musculo-skeletal disorders, stress, hearing problems and heart disease.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are a key target for Healthy Working Lives because they have less than 250 employees and are often unable to provide dedicated work health services.”

To speak to a member of the Working Health Services Dundee team telephone 01382 825100.