New Health and Work Service Supplier Announced

Employees will normally be referred by their GP’s.  A designated manager will then support each employee through the services assessment process to ensure their level of need is correctly identified, along with relevant steps to take to get them back to work. As a result a return to work plan will be shared between employer and GP. A website and telephone service giving more general health and work advice will be available to GP’s, employers and employees.

The service will start in late 2014 with a phased roll-out coming to a close by the end of May 2015.

In Scotland, the Health and Work service will be delivered by the Scottish Government and the service in Scotland will provide the same service as delivered in England and Wales.

The Health and Work Service is predicted to cut sick pay costs to business by £80 million to £165 million a year.

A tax exemption of up to £500 a year per employee on payments for medical treatments recommended by Health and Work Service or employer-arranged occupational health service will also be introduced.

By Freddie Anderson