Dame Carol Black launches Fit For Work Scheme
Support for those who are off work with ill health is set to improve in the Midlands, following the launch of a new scheme this week. Fit for Work was officially launched in Birmingham today (14 July) by Dame Carol Black, National Director for Work and Health.
Dame Carol called for a new approach to work related health services after her recent review found that ill health was costing the country £100bn annually. The Fit for Work scheme, which is funded by the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions, aims to get people in Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell and Solihull who are off ill back into work quickly by offering support, help, advice and assistance..
The scheme was officially launched today at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce to an audience of regional employers, GPs and health professionals. Dame Carol gave a keynote speech on the cost to the economy related to ill health and how the Fit for Work scheme is essential in getting the nation back to work.
Richard Mendelsohn, Clinical Director at NHS Birmingham East and North, comments: “Today’s launch is essential in marking an improvement in the health of people across the Midlands.
“Fit for Work is a free service available to anyone living in Birmingham, Sandwell, Coventry or Solihull who has been signed off ill by their GP for around two to three weeks. These people can be off work for many reasons, such as stress, depression, pain or injury, and need support and advice to get back into work quickly and safely.
“A case manager is assigned to everyone who contacts us, who keeps in regular contact over the telephone, or people can drop in and see their case manager at our base in New Street in Birmingham city centre. The case manager will also discuss various options with employers, such as a phased return, reduced hours or duties or additional equipment to help people to do their job.”
To join this service or to see how it could help you, call 0800 321 3180 (free from landlines) or 0121 632 2040, or email ffw@ingeus.co.uk.
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Notes to editors
Fit for Work is a free scheme to support people in Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell and Solihull, who have recently been signed off ill by their GP, to get back to work.
Everyone who joins the scheme has their own case manager, who helps them overcome any barriers they may face so they can get back to work quickly and safely.
The service is run by Ingeus and managed by NHS Birmingham East and North on behalf of the Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell and Solihull Commissioning Partnership.
For more information, go to the Ingeus website at http://www.workdirections.co.uk/pages/our_operations/236/fit_for_work.html or http://benpct.nhs.uk/fit-for-work.
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