Government must do more to support people with arthritis to work

The Government has launched a new consultation yesterday (31 October 2016) looking at the employment, health and welfare support available for people with disabilities and long-term conditions such as arthritis.The Government'sWork, health and disability Green Paper includes plans, questions and ideas on a range of issues including:the future of employment support programmes for people with health conditionschanges to employment-related benefitsthe launch of a consultation on Work Capability Assessment reforma review of Statutory Sick Pay and GP fit notes to support workers back into their jobs faster, and for longerencouraging employers to work with their employees with long-term health conditions to stop them from falling out of work. Our view Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are the most common health conditions in our workforce, and the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK. Although many people with arthritis want to work, overall they are less likely to be in work than people without a health condition.Flexible working practices and the right support can enable people with arthritis to work in a way that is adapted to their needs and skills, but too few people have the help they need.Our Chief Executive Officer Dr Liam O’Toole said: "We welcome the Government’s recognition of the impact arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions can have on people’s ability to work, and the need for timely access to health, employment and welfare support."T...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news