This month's annual meeting of the Society of Occupational Medicine brought out a rash of announcements from government people to try and push forward the health and work strategy. First off, Bill Gunnyeon, director, health, work and wellbeing and chief medical adviser, Department for Work and Pensions.. er where was I? Oh yes, he gave us a sneak preview of a GP survey due out later this month which is a repeat of the one carried out last year, and it shows, at long last, that GPs are finally getting the message that work is good for people's health.
Meanwhile Lord McKenzie announced that on 17 July the Vocational Rehabilitation Taskforce will be publishing an evidence review of the cost effectiveness of interventions on musculoskeletal disorders, mental health, cardiovascular respiratory conditions. He added that Dame Carol Black is going to be 'supporting' the government's first ever do-ordinated strategy for mental health at work. This starts on 10 July with a meeting of eminent experts from business and academic medicine.
Finally, if you don't know already the government has produced a tool for employers to help them assess the cost benefit of interventions in occupational health, based on consultancy PWC's report earlier this year. If you want to volunteer your company as a pilot just click here and you can download the tool for free.