Fit for Work service welcomed by GPs

A NEW service will help Oldham workers facing long-term sickness to return to their jobs more quickly.

Fit for Work, a free, confidential service, provides occupational health professionals to those who have been, or are likely to be, off work for four weeks or more due to illness or related issues.

Local doctors will be able to refer their long-term sick employed patients to the service, who will get a detailed consultation and a personal return to work plan. Employees can also speak to their GPs to request a referral to the service.

Dr Mike Bewick, deputy medical director of NHS England, said, “This service will help GPs provide care to their patients while reducing the pressure of ill health associated with managing people who become long-term unemployed.”

For more information visit www.fitforwork.org.



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