Four thousand frontline NHS staff will benefit from a free rehabilitation programme under a partnership rolled out between government and Nuffield Health.
Health & Protection contacted the Department for Health and Social Care about how much the contract is worth but had not had a response at time of publication.
Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme will support NHS workers with chronic and long-term joint conditions like arthritis, helping them to regain their quality of life and to better focus on bringing down waiting lists.
It will work with NHS teams to identity staff suitable for the programme and will initially be offered at 10 trusts in London, Birmingham and the North West before a national rollout later this year.
The government highlighted that musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions were the second leading cause of absence among NHS staff, and the partnership aims to help staff recover and focus on supporting patients.
In August 2024, more than two million days were lost due to NHS staff sickness. Back and musculoskeletal problems led to more than 314,000 lost days and more than 10,000 members of staff off.
According to the government announcement, Nuffield Health’s programme has already benefitted 35,000 people, and participants experienced a 35% improvement in joint pain and 37% improvement in joint function after taking part in 2024.
In addition, it prevented 86,226 sick days and resulted in a 29% reduction in GP appointments in 2024.
The programme provides 12 weeks of exercise and support led by a personal trainer who has been trained to deliver rehabilitation programmes, followed by 12 weeks of access to Nuffield Health fitness facilities – all at no cost to them.
The programme will also help keep NHS staff healthy and fulfil one of the 10 Year Health Plan’s key ambitions of shifting care from hospital into the community.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “NHS staff cannot treat patients if they’re in debilitating pain themselves.
“This partnership with Nuffield Health will help get thousands of NHS staff back to work, improve their quality of life, and allow them to continue to cut waiting lists.
“We’ll care for them so they can care for us and deliver our Plan for Change’s goal to build an NHS fit for the future.”
Alex Perry, CEO of Nuffield Health, (pictured) said: “Nuffield Health’s mission is to build a healthier nation and our free-to-access Joint Pain Programme is a key part of that.
“This unique programme has helped over 35,000 people to date improve their health and quality of life.
“By offering this free programme directly to NHS staff—including nurses, porters, and paramedics—we are providing them with support to recover, return to work, and continue delivering essential care.
“This not only improves their health but also reduces pressure on the NHS by lowering sickness absence and keeping skilled staff where they are needed most.”
