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19/10/2004
GPs urged to help end 'sick note' culture
Doctors have today been urged to resist signing people off on long-term sick leave as it could seriously interfere with their attempts to get back to work.
The latest figures on Incapacity Benefit (IB) have found that over the last two decades the number of people on the benefit had trebled. And nine-out-of-10 people who go onto IB want to get back into employment - but research shows that the longer they are on the benefit, the longer they are likely to be stuck on it.
Periods of inactivity can also damage mental and physical health - suicide rates are 35 times higher in long term unemployed than employed, according to government figures.
Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine's 'Pathways to Work: Enabling Rehabilitation' two-day conference, Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson said that signing some people off as long-term sick was not always the best way to deal with their health problems.
"For people who are able to work again, a job can itself be an important step in the road to recovery and rehabilitation," he said.
"Rather than rest being the best remedy for back pain, for example, research now shows it can actually delay recovery and make things worse. Advising patients to stay active can help them get back to work and on with their life."
This month the government extended the Disability Discrimination Act to 600,000 disabled workers and seven million jobs. Both the draft Disability Discrimination Bill and Age Discrimination legislation are designed to help increase the opportunities for work so that for those who want to work the jobs are available.
(gmcg/mb)
The latest figures on Incapacity Benefit (IB) have found that over the last two decades the number of people on the benefit had trebled. And nine-out-of-10 people who go onto IB want to get back into employment - but research shows that the longer they are on the benefit, the longer they are likely to be stuck on it.
Periods of inactivity can also damage mental and physical health - suicide rates are 35 times higher in long term unemployed than employed, according to government figures.
Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine's 'Pathways to Work: Enabling Rehabilitation' two-day conference, Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson said that signing some people off as long-term sick was not always the best way to deal with their health problems.
"For people who are able to work again, a job can itself be an important step in the road to recovery and rehabilitation," he said.
"Rather than rest being the best remedy for back pain, for example, research now shows it can actually delay recovery and make things worse. Advising patients to stay active can help them get back to work and on with their life."
This month the government extended the Disability Discrimination Act to 600,000 disabled workers and seven million jobs. Both the draft Disability Discrimination Bill and Age Discrimination legislation are designed to help increase the opportunities for work so that for those who want to work the jobs are available.
(gmcg/mb)
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Government recommends care home changes
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Blunkett announces welfare reform principles
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Over 960,000 On Sick Leave For One Month Or More
As many as 960,000 employees were on sick leave for a month or more each year on average between October 2010 and September 2013, the government has revealed, as it prepares to launch a new Health and Work Service to combat the problem.
Over 960,000 On Sick Leave For One Month Or More
As many as 960,000 employees were on sick leave for a month or more each year on average between October 2010 and September 2013, the government has revealed, as it prepares to launch a new Health and Work Service to combat the problem.
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