Centre for Mental Health welcomes sickness absence review

21 November, 2011

“We welcome the recommendations from the sickness absence review to help employers support people with continuing and unpredictable conditions to stay in work. Mental ill-health accounts for a large proportion of sickness absence in the UK and one on four GP consultations, and remaining in work has been proven to be an important factor in recovery.”

Centre for Mental Health chief Executive Sean Duggan said today, commenting on the government's Sickness Absence Review, by Dame Carol Black and David Frost.  The Review recommends a new Independent Assessment Service (IAS) that employers and GPs can refer long-term sickness absence cases to for advice.

Each year around 11 million employees take sick leave and, while most people return to work, around 300,000 people go on to claim health-related benefits. Over 80 per cent of all sickness absence spells are short term (up to one week).  Long-term absence (over 4 weeks) make up only around 5 per cent of all spells but almost half of total working days lost.

Commenting on the proposed state funded Independent Assessment Service (IAS) Sean Duggan said:

“Provided that the advisors are qualified health professionals and have a suitable understanding of the needs of those with mental, as well as physical health problems then this scheme could help many more people return to work.”

The review also recommends a new job brokering service for employees on long-term sickness absence who are unable to return to their current employer, which the authors estimate could save up to £300m a year.

“We hope that the government will take up this recommendation as there is substantial evidence that in the case of people with mental health problems, regular paid work greatly reduces the risk of isolation, improves quality of life and wellbeing,  and aids rehabilitation and recovery.

“It’s worth mentioning however, that if people are signposted to appropriate forms of support  while at work, very often they are able to manage their mental health condition and remain in employment without taking any time off sick in the first instance.  Employer awareness of mental health issues at work in the UK is extremely poor but research has shown that early intervention from a supportive manager can greatly reduce the cost of mental health related sickness absence.“

The review also recommends the removal of the assessment phase for claimants of Employment and Support Allowance, which the reviewers claim will allow those claimants who need support to get it sooner and those that can work help to find a job more quickly.