Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

CancerMusculoskeletal disordersOccupational Health

Health support service sees rise in cancer and musculoskeletal referrals

by Ashleigh Webber 18 Jan 2023
by Ashleigh Webber 18 Jan 2023 Shutterstock
Shutterstock

A nurse-led support service claims it has seen referrals for cancer and musculoskeletal problems leap by almost a fifth over the past year, driven by longer waiting lists for NHS treatment.

Analysis of RedArc’s patient data showed that referrals for musculoskeletal disorders jumped by 19% in 2022 compared with the previous year, while referrals involving people with cancer rose by 18%.

Referrals for a mental health concern fell 19% compared with figures for 2021, which the company said signified a return to the pre-pandemic rate for mental health referrals, following a significant rise during Covid-19.

Its data chimes with long-term sickness figures released by the Office for National Statistics last year, which showed a 31% increase in people off work with musculoskeletal disorders.

Musculoskeletal disorders

Why are musculoskeletal disorders still an issue for employers?

Chronic pain in forties can lead to joblessness a decade later

RedArc managing director Christine Husbands said: “Our referral statistics reflect the national picture, that many individuals are experiencing exceptionally long waiting times both for elective and emergency treatment on the NHS.

“The wait before a diagnosis, operation, or treatment plan can be really taxing for employees and their families, with life as normal on hold, and the overriding concern that the delays will exacerbate their illness. The dedicated support of a nurse can be of real benefit at this time both from a clinical and emotional point of view and the support may also help staff to remain at work, and crucially remain earning, which is good for their mental and financial health.”

Husbands said that organisations needed to get better at communicating about the healthcare benefits available to staff, so that they can better manage their symptoms if they are experiencing a delay in diagnosis or treatment from the NHS.

“A common refrain when employees are referred to us is, ‘I wish I’d known about you sooner,’ demonstrating that employers can do more to communicate what is available and how to access support,” she said.

Ashleigh Webber
Ashleigh Webber

Ashleigh is editor of OHW+ and HR and wellbeing editor at Personnel Today. Ashleigh's areas of interest include employee health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and skills development. She has hosted many webinars for Personnel Today, on topics including employee retention, financial wellbeing and menopause support. Prior to joining Personnel Today in 2018, she covered the road transport sector for Commercial Motor and Motor Transport magazines, touching on some of the employment and wellbeing issues experienced by those in road haulage.

previous post
Recouping overpayments without damaging relations
next post
RAD Awards 2023 shortlist: Video Campaign of the Year

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Why are musculoskeletal disorders still an issue for...

11 Jan 2023

No sign of London Olympics exercise ‘legacy’, warn...

9 Jan 2023

Big freeze heightening cost of living health concerns

9 Dec 2022

Six employee wellbeing trends for 2023

7 Dec 2022

Welsh health board fined for HAVS after ignoring...

2 Dec 2022

Back and neck conditions rise as long-term sickness...

11 Nov 2022

Chronic pain in forties can lead to joblessness...

4 Nov 2022

Toolkit to help young people with musculoskeletal disorders...

25 Oct 2022

Sickness absence in transport sector rises 42%

29 Sep 2022

HSE to target construction sites in health and...

29 Sep 2022

  • Driving performance and capability through L&D WEBINAR | HR functions increasingly need to invest in the development of their teams...Read more
  • World of Learning Summit opens its doors in London Olympia this February! PROMOTED | Access 30 free seminars, roundtables, networking zones and feature areas...Read more
  • 2023’s top HCM trend: Predicting the skills needed for tomorrow PROMOTED | Predicting the skills needed for tomorrow will be one of the major trends in 2023...Read more
  • The Workplace Today Guide: Why it pays to support your staff’s financial health PROMOTED | The cost of living crisis has hit...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today