Partner Article

Occupational health advice line launched

Small businesses in the region can now get free occupational health support following the launch of a new telephone advice service.

The North East is one of seven areas in England chosen to take part in a pilot scheme providing SMEs in parts of the region with expert advice and information about individual employee health conditions.

The scheme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, will be provided by NHS Plus and will run until 31 March 2011. It was introduced to help small businesses to retain the services of the employee or assist an employee back to work. It is also hoped it will help employers to cut some of their HR costs in the recession.

Lord McKenzie of Luton said: “Small businesses now have access to the help they need to support an employee when they experience ill health at work – helping them to maintain the services of that individual. This is fundamental to business success.”

Sayeed Khan, Chief Medical Adviser for EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation said: “Employee health is integral to their performance and therefore key to business success.”

Employers can call the advice line on 0800 0 77 88 44.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .