The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (25 March 2009) issued guidance on managing long-term sickness absence and incapacity for work.
It is estimated that in Britain the annual costs of sickness absence and worklessness* associated with ill health is over £100 billion. This new NICE guidance aims to complement existing initiatives; helping reduce the number of employees moving to long-term sickness absence and promote return to work.
The recommendations in the guidance are aimed at all those who have a role in managing long-term sickness absence and incapacity. This includes all employers, employees, managers, workplace representatives, trade unions and professionals, as well as the health service.
The full guidelines are available via the NICE website. www.NICE.org.uk
On the website there is also a section relating to the rehabilitation of people who suffer with scizophrenia.
I'm all for it, in as much as people who are fit for work and can be 'rehabilitated' should be helped by different arms of the system. However, am ever cautious, not just because I don't trust the system but the timing seems to be at odds with what is going on in the job market...then again 'long term planning' could lead to a fully integrated and happy society in the long term.
Optimism is my new middle name. Ha!
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