Government introduces new 'WorkWell' pilot scheme
Following the Prime Minister's announcement about plans to help people with health conditions return to work, the Government has now confirmed a new pilot scheme will launch in October.
Prime Minister announcement and call for evidence
The Prime Minister recently announced planned changes to the benefit system, to include a review of fit notes. Broadly speaking, the intention is to explore ways to relieve pressure on GPs and support more people to stay in or return to work after sickness. A call for evidence has been launched to explore reforming the fit note process. The call for evidence closes on 8 July 2024.
WorkWell pilot
In tandem to the call for evidence, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Health and Social Care have confirmed plans to launch 'WorkWell pilots' in certain areas from October 2024. The aim of the pilots will be to connect participants to local support services in order to help them remain at or return to work. The government says participants will be given one way to access employment support and local health services so that health conditions can be proactively managed and necessary workplace adjustments made. The government has also said it plans to integrate any eventual changes made to the fit note system into the pilot.
We will continue to report on developments.