Dame Carol Black's work-related health review published

The report from Government adviser Dame Carol Black (pictured) called for a radical new approach to work related health services. The national director for health and work said her review of the system had shown that "urgent and comprehensive" reform was needed.

She made a series of recommendations, which included the creation of a new "fit for work" service targeting people in the early stages of sickness. The Government was also urged to set up a new consultancy service offering advice and support to smaller business groups.

In addition, trade unions should play an expanded role in efforts to improve the health of workers, said the report.

"Taken together, the evidence provides a clear and compelling case. In short, we cannot go on as we are," said Dame Carol, who added that her report included "difficult and challenging messages for everyone" - politicians, healthcare professionals, employers, unions and individuals.

Sickness policy?

As well as claiming that good work-related health support was disproportionately concentrated among a few large employers, she complained that the current sick note system concentrated on what people "couldn't do", rather than "what they can".

She recommended that doctors' written sick notes should be replaced with an electronic "fit note" saying what people were able to do if they were ill or injured.

Occupational health should be brought into the mainstream of health care provision, said the report - Working for a Healthier Tomorrow. It added that employers could help people return to work after an illness by making "regular and sensitive" contact during sickness absences.

The report highlighted how currently two out of five organisations had no sickness absence policy at all.

'Major step'

Professor Sayeed Khan, chief medical adviser to the Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF), said the report's proposals were a "major step forward" in tackling sickness absence and getting people back to work.

Stephen Alambritis of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), commented: "The number one priority for the reform of work-related health services must be making sure that any money spent actually benefits small business owners and the people they employ.

"Fit notes are a good idea, but they should be only part of a much wider effort to develop lasting relationships between health professionals and employers."

Judith Hackitt, chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) welcomed the publication of the report, and said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was looking forward to playing its part in preparing the Government's response.

Dame Carol Black's review can be downloaded from the 'Health, Work and Wellbeing' website - here.