Response To Dame Carol Black Review - Norwich Union Healthcare

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 19 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Commenting on the Carol Black review, Gil Baldwin, MD of Norwich Union Healthcare, said:

"Carol Black's review shows the sheer scale of the impact of ill health on the economy. The report must act as a catalyst for a change within the workplace health culture in the UK.

"Our figures show that when it comes to workplace health there is a "guidance gap" emerging. A quarter of all companies do not know where to access information and support when it comes to occupational health. This rises to just under half amongst small businesses. This information vacuum needs to be a primary target for the Government if they are to make serious headway in workplace health.

"Getting the relationship right between employers and GPs is crucial. Our research shows that only 6% of GPs think employers are doing enough to help rehabilitate their staff to help them return to work sooner. Yet 85% of employers believe GPs are too quick to sign sick notes. Clearly this relationship needs to be improved.

"We will continue to work closely with the Government's Work, Health and Wellbeing directive, lending our expertise in the development of a 'wellness note' and encouraging the facilitation of a return-to-work culture where GPs, employers and employees all acknowledge their responsibility to make this a reality."

Norwich Union's Health of the Workplace 2 report (2008) finds that:

- Two thirds (64%) of businesses say occupational health is an important priority and that employee wellbeing has a sizeable impact on productivity levels.

- Sickness absence remains companies' most pressing workplace health concern (40%), followed by ageing workforces for large companies (20%) and lack of Government support and incentives for small and medium-sized businesses (23%).

- 40% of businesses believe there's a lack of understanding on behalf of the Government of the occupational health problems they face and 32% believe there's a lack of incentives for businesses.

- A quarter of all companies (24%) do not know where to access information and support when it comes to occupational health - this rises to 43% among small businesses.

http://www.norwichunion.com/health

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