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

Fit for WorkReturn to work and rehabilitationOccupational Health

Sheffield GPs begin Fit for Work service pilots

by Nic Paton 26 Feb 2015
by Nic Paton 26 Feb 2015

Some GP practices in Sheffield have begun piloting the fitness-to-work assessment side of the new Fit for Work service, the Government has announced.

In a letter circulated to providers and other interested parties in January, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed it was now testing Fit for Work assessments using a “proof of concept” approach.

Under the trial, GPs in 20 practices across Sheffield are being encouraged to begin using the referral service that complements the telephone advice line and online support that was launched in December 2014.

The Government’s intention is that this testing process will gradually be rolled out across the country, with the Midlands, the North-West and Wales thought to be the next likely target areas.

OH providers have expressed concern about the effect that the new free service could have on demand for employer-funded workplace health provision, especially as the service is being branded by the Government as offering an “occupational health” assessment.

“I’m having a panic attack!” was the online response of one practitioner upon receiving an email highlighting the fact that the new service was now in existence.

And Janet Patterson, OH practitioner and director of OH nursing services at provider Black & Banton, told Occupational Health: “I’ve already had one person calling me to ask ‘does this mean I no longer need occupational health?’”

However, the Government has emphasised its intention that the new service should complement, and not compete with, existing employer-provided OH services.

To accompany the launch of the service, the DWP has issued guidance for employers.

Nic Paton
Nic Paton

Nic Paton is consulting editor of OHW+. One of the country's foremost workplace health journalists, Nic has written for OHW+ and Occupational Health & Wellbeing since 2001, and edited the magazine from 2018.

previous post
Organisation charts: full steam ahead
next post
Six ways to stop the spread of infections at work

You may also like

Lack of sick pay forcing two-thirds to work...

27 Jun 2022

Cost of living could lead to ‘pandemic sized’...

27 Jun 2022

Thousands unable to access local stop-smoking support

27 Jun 2022

Managers unsure how best to support cancer return...

24 Jun 2022

Employers urged to offer fast-track long Covid support

24 Jun 2022

Health interventions seen as unimportant by employees: research

23 Jun 2022

Finding answers to OH’s capacity conundrum

22 Jun 2022

NHS England launches growing occupational health and wellbeing...

21 Jun 2022

‘Landmark’ new guidance for pilots with HIV

20 Jun 2022

Has OH been overlooked (again) in fit note...

20 Jun 2022

  • NSPCC revamps its learning strategy with child wellbeing at its heart PROMOTED | The NSPCC’s mission is to prevent abuse and neglect...Read more
  • Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters PROMOTED | It’s possible for an environment to be diverse, but not inclusive...Read more
  • Five steps for organisations across the globe to become more skills-driven PROMOTED | The shift in the world of work has been felt across the globe...Read more
  • The future of workforce development PROMOTED | Northumbria University and partners share insight...Read more
  • Strathclyde Business School expands its Degree Apprenticeship offer in England PROMOTED | The University of Strathclyde is expanding its programmes...Read more
  • The Search for Talent: Six Major Employer Pitfalls PROMOTED | The Great Resignation continues unabated...Read more
  • Navigating the widening “Skills Confidence Gap” in 2022, and beyond PROMOTED | Cornerstone OnDemand conducted a global study...Read more
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...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