The government must do more to support people with arthritis to work highlights Arthritis Research UK

The government launched a consultation on 31 October 2016 looking at the employment, health and welfare support available for people with disabilities and long-term conditions such as arthritis.

The Work, Health and Disability Consultation includes plans, questions and ideas on a range of issues including:

• The future of employment support programmes for people with health conditions;
• Changes to employment-related benefits;
• The launch of a consultation on Work Capability Assessment reform;
• A review of Statutory Sick Pay and GP fit notes to support workers back into their jobs faster, and for longer;
• Encouraging employers to work with their employees with long-term health conditions to stop them from falling out of work.

Dr Liam O’Toole, chief executive officer from Arthritis Research UK comments: “We welcome the Government’s recognition of the impact arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions can have on people’s ability to work, and the need for timely access to health, employment and welfare support.

“The cost of treating long-term health conditions that prevent people from working has now reached an estimated £7 billion. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are the biggest cause of workplace absence in the UK, accounting for 30.6 million working days lost in the UK each year.

“The Work, Health and Disability Consultation offers the Government a vital opportunity to address this situation, and better understand and then meet the needs of people with arthritis. We will be examining the details and ensuring that the voices of people with arthritis are heard.

“As the Government has acknowledged, “action, not words” is needed to push back the limits of arthritis. Together, we can make changes that give fuller lives to millions of people with arthritis.”

Click here for more on The Work, Health and Disability Consultation.

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