The crucial role of occupational health was the missing piece of Lord Darzi’s 10 year plan for the NHS – particularly as smaller employers seek help to tackle labour market inactivity.
This is according to Justin Ash, CEO at Spire Healthcare, who told the Westminster Health Forum this morning that the emphasis needs to move from treatment to prevention to turnaround the country’s labour market inactivity crisis
Ash also addressed how smaller firms increasingly want help to tackle the issue, why young people expect help from their employer and how Spire’s own interventions are making a real difference in getting people back into work.
Missing piece
“A piece in the Darzi report I feel was missing was the role of workplace health,” Ash said.
“I know Charlie Mayfield, with whom we’re working with is doing a review on this.
“It’s really important to put this into the context of waiting lists.”
Ash added that with 2.8 million people economically inactive and 300,000 people who have gone out of work because of sickness in the last 12 months, the UK has a record level of absence at work as well as a productivity crisis.
Occupational health is not talked about enough
“People can be supported by their employer before they join a waiting list,” Ash continued.
“So workplace health is a really critical part of the story and not talked about enough.
“Occupational health defines not just workplace assessments, but a much broader programme of assessments and employer assistance can make a real difference to people not ending up on that waiting list in the first place.”
Smaller employers
Ash pointed out that there is an appetite among smaller employers to tackle the issue.
“The British Chambers of Commerce have today issued a report about workplace health asking for particular support for smaller companies to provide this,” Ash continued.
“Big employers tend to, but the vast majority of employment in this country is in small employers and they do need some help to get going on this.”
Young people
Ash said young people’s mental health was of particular concern for the government and Spire’s own research has shown 72% think their employer is the person most responsible for their health.
“Other answers include the NHS, so we’re moving to a world where young people feel there is a sense of responsibility by employers,” he continued. “We should lean into that.”
Citing examples of where Spire has made a difference in getting people back to work, Ash pointed to mental health and musculoskeletal support.
“So low grade interventions, often digital, help people to manage mental health or musculoskeletal issues.
“Between 95% and 97% of employees who are offered that assistance go back to work. It’s a really powerful statistic that it is possible to intervene early and prevent people being on the waiting list or if they are on the waiting list, making sure they are working while waiting.
“The biggest issue we have is people dropping out of the workplace because of ill health without that support.”
Broader topic
Though Ash added this is a broader topic and cultural change is needed to truly make the difference.
“Employers need to have supportive practices in their workplace, work friendly and have mental health first aiders,” Ash continued.
“We have all of this at Spire, but there is a cultural change needed. But the role of the employer in society could be fundamental in ensuring that future waiting lists don’t grow.
“Fewer people need to join the waiting list than leave. One way to prevent them joining is by making sure that they don’t need to be out of the workplace with early interventions. And most people in employment can be helped in that way.”