Health professionals are urged to prioritize work as an outcome for health

Health care professionals are being encouraged to adopt five principles to promote the idea that ‘good employment’ can be a positive health outcome.

The call to act was published in a consensus’ statement about workplace health, by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the Royal College of Nursing.

The three organisations have issued their first consensus statement since 2019. Since then, we’ve had, of course the Covid-19 epidemic, as well as a number of other important changes to the workplace, including workplace health.

The Office for National Statistics calculated that as of September of last year, 9,25 million people aged 16-64 in the UK were economically inactive.

30 percent of respondents (2.8 million people), cited long-term illness as their reason. Nearly two-fifths of them (38%) also reported that they had five or more conditions, up from 34 percent in 2019. This suggests many of the respondents have complex and interconnected health problems.

The government has responded by releasing the Get Britain Working whitepaper and a Keep Britain Working review on workplace health.

The consensus statement highlighted that the age of the workforce is also rising, and as a consequence, many more people are suffering from ill health while trying to maintain their jobs.

In order to achieve this, the statement urges all healthcare professionals:

1. Ask a question about your job. Tell us what you do, how you are doing at work and any tips you have to help you return to work.
2. Through training, understand the importance of good work in promoting health. Also, where to direct patients who require further support.
3. Be in a position to provide their patients with information on how their health condition and treatment will affect their ability to work, as well as on the adjustments that can be made to help those with disabilities. They should have easy access to current guidance from government agencies, professional organizations, and health and work professionals.
4. Get the most out of the “fit note” in primary care, hospitals, and the community. You can do this by training health professionals and updating easy-to-use guidelines.
5. Recognize their role in supporting a healthy and safe workplace. This includes looking after their health and well-being, as well as promoting the wellbeing of their coworkers within the organisation in which they are employed.

The consensus statement concluded that “Healthcare professionals could also promote a cultural where good work was seen as an advantage to the people.”

It added that “Healthcare professionals can also prevent ill health by promoting healthy lifestyles and choices, thereby reducing the risk of people leaving work or being injured, and supporting them to return, stay in, or enter work.”