Menu
19/10/2004
GPs urged to help end 'sick note' culture
Doctors have today been urged to resist signing people off on long-term sick leave as it could seriously interfere with their attempts to get back to work.
The latest figures on Incapacity Benefit (IB) have found that over the last two decades the number of people on the benefit had trebled. And nine-out-of-10 people who go onto IB want to get back into employment - but research shows that the longer they are on the benefit, the longer they are likely to be stuck on it.
Periods of inactivity can also damage mental and physical health - suicide rates are 35 times higher in long term unemployed than employed, according to government figures.
Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine's 'Pathways to Work: Enabling Rehabilitation' two-day conference, Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson said that signing some people off as long-term sick was not always the best way to deal with their health problems.
"For people who are able to work again, a job can itself be an important step in the road to recovery and rehabilitation," he said.
"Rather than rest being the best remedy for back pain, for example, research now shows it can actually delay recovery and make things worse. Advising patients to stay active can help them get back to work and on with their life."
This month the government extended the Disability Discrimination Act to 600,000 disabled workers and seven million jobs. Both the draft Disability Discrimination Bill and Age Discrimination legislation are designed to help increase the opportunities for work so that for those who want to work the jobs are available.
(gmcg/mb)
The latest figures on Incapacity Benefit (IB) have found that over the last two decades the number of people on the benefit had trebled. And nine-out-of-10 people who go onto IB want to get back into employment - but research shows that the longer they are on the benefit, the longer they are likely to be stuck on it.
Periods of inactivity can also damage mental and physical health - suicide rates are 35 times higher in long term unemployed than employed, according to government figures.
Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine's 'Pathways to Work: Enabling Rehabilitation' two-day conference, Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson said that signing some people off as long-term sick was not always the best way to deal with their health problems.
"For people who are able to work again, a job can itself be an important step in the road to recovery and rehabilitation," he said.
"Rather than rest being the best remedy for back pain, for example, research now shows it can actually delay recovery and make things worse. Advising patients to stay active can help them get back to work and on with their life."
This month the government extended the Disability Discrimination Act to 600,000 disabled workers and seven million jobs. Both the draft Disability Discrimination Bill and Age Discrimination legislation are designed to help increase the opportunities for work so that for those who want to work the jobs are available.
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
18 February 2009
Over 100,000 People Get Back To Work With LEPs
Over 100,000 people have been helped back into work through the Government's pioneering Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs), Minister for Employment Tony McNulty has announced.
Over 100,000 People Get Back To Work With LEPs
Over 100,000 people have been helped back into work through the Government's pioneering Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs), Minister for Employment Tony McNulty has announced.
17 August 2005
Government recommends care home changes
A Government's action plan to improve the quality of care home services has been welcomed as a "positive response" by the OFT. However, consumer group 'Which?' prompted the original OFT inquiry, has criticised the proposed reforms as "vague" and called for more detail to be included.
Government recommends care home changes
A Government's action plan to improve the quality of care home services has been welcomed as a "positive response" by the OFT. However, consumer group 'Which?' prompted the original OFT inquiry, has criticised the proposed reforms as "vague" and called for more detail to be included.
10 October 2005
Blunkett announces welfare reform principles
Work and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett has urged thousands of people on incapacity benefit to return to work, as he launched his ‘principles of welfare reform’ on Monday. Mr Blunkett said that for many of the 2.
Blunkett announces welfare reform principles
Work and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett has urged thousands of people on incapacity benefit to return to work, as he launched his ‘principles of welfare reform’ on Monday. Mr Blunkett said that for many of the 2.
10 February 2014
Over 960,000 On Sick Leave For One Month Or More
As many as 960,000 employees were on sick leave for a month or more each year on average between October 2010 and September 2013, the government has revealed, as it prepares to launch a new Health and Work Service to combat the problem.
Over 960,000 On Sick Leave For One Month Or More
As many as 960,000 employees were on sick leave for a month or more each year on average between October 2010 and September 2013, the government has revealed, as it prepares to launch a new Health and Work Service to combat the problem.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some low cloud lingering in the north and west through the day, although cloud should burn back to the coast as the day goes on. Elsewhere some good sunny spells with very little cloud. Warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
