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

Latest NewsOccupational HealthWellbeing

GPs fail to exploit health benefits of work due to lack of knowledge

by Louisa Peacock 6 Sep 2007
by Louisa Peacock 6 Sep 2007

Two-thirds of GPs are unaware that work is beneficial for physical and mental health, it emerged today.

A survey of 1,500 GPs carried out by Doctors.net on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), found they were unaware of evidence that work could help people with a health problem to get better, and that returning to work after a period of unemployment improves health.

Nearly 90% said that if they had known of this evidence it would have affected the advice they gave to patients.

About 100 leading doctors gathered today to discuss the findings of the survey, at the British Medical Association Conference.

Lord McKenzie, parliamentary under-secretary at DWP, said: “The recognition that there is evidence that work is good for people’s health means staying in work or returning to work could actually be part of the solution to ill-health – no longer just part of the problem.

“Obstacles often arise from myths and misunderstandings. A doctor’s advice can have a powerful impact – for good or harm. Wrong words can reinforce or even create myths. Challenging patient misconceptions and providing evidence-based advice is an effective way of overcoming these barriers.”

McKenzie said the government, employers, the medical profession and individuals must consider how to go further to respond to the challenges of tackling ill-health in the working population.

Work and pensions secretary Peter Hain and health secretary Alan Johnson have asked Dame Carol Black, the government’s first national director for health and work, to carry out an extensive review of the health of the working age population.

Black is launching a call for evidence later this month and is due to report in early 2008.




Avatar
Louisa Peacock

previous post
University provides on-the-job education programme for AA managers
next post
Quality Improvement Agency launches online continuing professional development tool for further education staff

You may also like

Royal Mail strike: Union urges it to ‘get...

10 Aug 2022

Hybrid working: do the costs outweigh the wellbeing...

10 Aug 2022

Supporting non-binary and transgender staff: four key steps...

10 Aug 2022

Personnel Today Awards 2022 shortlist: Health and Wellbeing...

10 Aug 2022

Train conductor unfairly dismissed after ‘black privilege’ comment

10 Aug 2022

Nurses set to vote on strike over pay

9 Aug 2022

Former MP’s aide unfairly dismissed after whistleblowing

9 Aug 2022

Private spaces for focused work key to office...

9 Aug 2022

Top earners’ pay soars by 10% while lowest-paid...

8 Aug 2022

National Payroll Week: A compliance guide for SMEs...

8 Aug 2022

  • 6 reasons why work-based learning is better than traditional training PROMOTED | A recent Fortune/Deloitte survey found that 71% of CEOs are anticipating that this year’s biggest business disrupter...Read more
  • Strengthening Scotland’s public services through virtual recruiting PROMOTED | This website is Scotland's go-to place for job seekers looking to apply for roles in public services...Read more
  • What’s next for L&D? Enter Alchemist… PROMOTED | It’s time to turn off the tedious and get ready for interactive and immersive learning experiences...Read more
  • Simple mistakes are blighting the onboarding experience PROMOTED | The onboarding of new hires is a company’s best chance...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 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 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