Monday 08 August 2016
A new promotional campaign launched today seeks to help get people back into work quicker following ill health.
Fit Together is an initiative launched by the Committee for Employment & Social Security as part of its wider Supporting Occupational Health & Wellbeing project (SOHWELL).
It seeks to remind people that jobs are good for both physical and mental health and that sometimes minor workplace adjustments can make it easier for people to get back to work.
Posters and an animation have been created to illustrate the key messages of Fit Together, including the promotion of a section on the redesigned medical certificate allowing GPs to suggest changes an employer can make that might help someone get back to work sooner.
Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security, said:
"Many people have spells of sickness which initially prevent them from doing their job, but getting back to work as quickly as possible is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. The new medical certificate now provides doctors with the opportunity to inform an employer when a workplace adjustment may help someone get back to work more quickly, and when occupational health advice would be beneficial.
As the SOHWELL project is seeking to improve on the way things have been done for years we've introduced the Fit Together campaign, including an animation to help reinforce some of the key messages."
During the last 18 months the SOHWELL project has transformed the way sickness benefit claims are managed, has redesigned the medical certificate and has introduced a new work capability assessment.
Deputy Le Clerc said:
"The Committee is conscious of the need to maximise the island's workforce. Building on the positive steps taken by the previous Social Security Boards to encourage and support working age people back into work, the next phase of the SOHWELL project will involve us speaking to employers to find out how they are getting on with the new medical certificate. We also want to gather information on the general accessibility of occupational health services across the island."
Working with GPs to develop the use of the new medical certificate is crucial to its success. Dr Tim Sinnerton, Chairman of the Primary Care Committee, said:
"GPs have been delighted to be part of the SOHWELL project and recognise the key part they play in helping people back to work as quickly as possible. All the practices are fully supportive of the Fit Together campaign and will be helping to promote the initiative."
For more information and to watch the animation, please visit www.gov.gg/fittogether.
