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Call to level up access to Occupational Health as Minister for Disabled People visits OH services

Posted by Ann Caluori | Thu, 19/05/2022 - 13:47

 

The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) welcomed the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith MP to Occupational Health (OH) departments at Transport for London and Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust on 17th May.

 

SOM asked the Minister as to the pace of implementation and evidence of deliverables of the DWP/DHSC ‘Health is everyone’s business’ consultation response[1]. The consultation response in 2021 was welcomed by SOM and it has worked closely with the DWP/DHSC work and health unit to support delivery, including a new Centre for Work and Health, workforce capacity development, outcome and workforce data collection and supporting review of the SEQOHS quality tool.

 

SOM also discussed the need to ‘level up’ access to OH with the Minister, with those in large companies five times more likely to have access to OH than those in small companies, according to research.

 

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith MP said: “I was delighted to visit the two Occupational Health departments on the day it was confirmed we met a key Government goal to see one million more disabled people in work. Helping people stay in work is just as important as helping people start in work.”

 

Dr Jayne Moore, SOM President, said: "SOM welcomes the Minister’s visit. It is calling for the Minister to create new momentum and sense of urgency to increase access to Occupational Health, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises. We ask that a clear delivery plan is now put in place.”

 

Pictured above - Chloe Smith MP with Dr Paul McGovern, Dr Samantha Phillips, TFL and Nick Pahl, SOM.

 

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/health-is-everyones-business-proposals-to-reduce-ill-health-related-job-loss/outcome/government-response-health-is-everyones-business