NHS report a reminder that getting it right on disability benefits everyone

19th August 2009

Employers that use a ‘disability confident’ approach, that also includes the management of sickness absence, feel the benefit across their organisation, Employers’ Forum on Disability (EFD) said today (19 August 2009).

The comment follows the publication today of Dr Steven Boorman’s interim report for the NHS Health and Wellbeing review. It found sickness levels among NHS staff were much higher than those in the private or public sector.

EFD’s Chief Executive Susan Scott-Parker said: “Sickness absence affects all employers and their service delivery, bottom line and staff morale. Sickness absence costs employers hundreds of millions of pounds every year.

“Prevention is better than cure to prevent a minor condition becoming a serious, long term disability.  This requires good communication between the employee, manager and occupational health adviser.

“Many people on short or long term sick leave, whether they have a disability or not, may only need some small adjustments to return to work. These might be reduced duties for a short while, flexible working, or a phased return to work. Many of these adjustments are cheap or cost nothing.

“Organisations that are proactively managing sickness absence feel the benefit across their organisation, as many reports have proved. Frontline healthcare staff work in frequently challenging circumstances.

“Many NHS Trusts are seeking to improve the way in which they not only manage sickness absence but also their working practices in relation to disabled staff and patients. That is why 30 NHS Trusts are taking part in EFD’s Disability Standard benchmark this year, which will give them a blueprint for change.

Ends

Notes to editors

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk