The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) was pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to the Government’s Green Paper on work, health and disability earlier this year.
Since then, we have been working closely with the DWP/DH Work and Health Unit; and are now pleased to support the Government’s agenda to improve the working lives of people from all backgrounds.
Dr Paul Williams, President of the SOM said: “We are looking forward to hearing about plans for pilots to improve health at work and support people getting into work, strategies to improve access to Occupational Health services, action to make 'good work' a health outcome in the NHS and strategies to establish closer links between the worlds of employment, healthcare and skill development”.
Our members are a broad range of occupational health practitioners, experienced and trained to deliver proactive health solutions to people in work, and their employers.
With the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, the SOM submitted evidence to the Government’s Industrial Strategy. It is keen to assist the Government in their long term agenda to improve work in the UK, facilitate improved productivity and find ways of supporting the health of people working flexibly (e.g. in the so called gig economy) and in small businesses. As part of this, in November 2017, SOM Patron, Lord Blunkett, hosted a meeting on 'what is good work?', details are available here.