I welcomed a new pilot scheme in the Black Country to help people with health conditions back to work.
The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, alongside local job centres, has been selected as one of 15 areas across England to take part in the £65 million WorkWell pilot.
The new service will for the first time integrate health and work advice at the local level to get people back into work
Those who are out of work, or at risk of falling out of work due to their health or disability, will be referred to WorkWell through their employer, GP or another community service.
They will then receive a personalised plan to help them return to and remain in work, including physical and mental health services and employment support.
I am pleased to see the Black Country is part of the pilot for this new service.
It has one of the highest fit note statistics in the country and we need to ensure this is addressed in a practical and supportive way.
There is much evidence out there showing work is an effective way to improve wellbeing and it reduces depression, improves physical health, and builds self-confidence as well as the financial rewards.
Here in the Black Country the pilot scheme will help thousands stay in work. Nationally there are currently a record 2.8 million people who are ‘economically inactive’ due to long-term sickness. Any initiative to lower this number is good for society, the economy and the country’s future.
I will be looking to see the work of the pilot here on the ground in Stourbridge soon.
