1. Promoting health in the workplace
Professor Jean White
Prif Swyddog Nyrsio / Cyfarwyddwr Nyrsio Cymru
Chief Nursing Officer / Nurse Director for Wales 1

2. The importance of work and health
Employment is the most effective route out of poverty
Good work protects and improves both physical and mental health and well-being
Unemployment is strongly linked to ill-health and higher mortality
45,000 people on long-term sickness absence in Wales

3. Work and Health – The Evidence
The main causes of sickness absence (mild-moderate mental ill-health and musculoskeletal disorders) are compatible with work
Work is therapeutic for people with common health problems
Prevention and early intervention are key
Work-focussed interventions are most effective at around weeks of sickness absence
Bullet point 4: By four weeks around 70% of people return to work. Intervening at four weeks targets the 30% of people at risk of longer-term sickness absence and leaving employment.

4. Principles to guide our approach

5. The Challenge
The four positive health behaviours are smoke-free, physical activity, eating fruit and vegetables and low-risk alcohol consumption.
The main points are:
Only 6% of adults follow all four behaviours;
6% of adults do not follow any of the behaviours.

6. Supporting employers in Wales - ‘Healthy Working Wales’
The Welsh Government’s work and health programme
Free and available to all employers in Wales
Awards are aligned with the principles of ‘good work’
33% of people employed in Wales work for an employer engaged
‘Healthy Working Wales’ is the Welsh Government’s work and health programme, which is delivered by Public Health Wales.
[Do you need further briefing on the programme?]

7. Corporate Health Standard (CHS) Small Workplace Health Award (SWHA)
The national frameworks and quality awards for health and well-being in the workplace in Wales
78 employers (medium-large) recognised with the CHS
- including NHS Wales health boards and trusts
212 employers (micro-small) have achieved SWHA

8. Public Health Programmes and Resources
There are a wide-range of programmes to support you in your work. Here are a selection:
These programmes provide support with health issues including dementia, mental ill-health and alcohol and substance misuse, together with advice on health and well-being.
Other recent developments include the revised ‘Eatwell’ guide, UK CMO alcohol guidelines, and CMO info-graphics on physical activity.
In particular, the ‘Making Every Contact Count’ approach aims to empower staff working in health services and partner organisations to recognise the role we have in promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting behaviour change and reducing the risk of chronic disease. This recognition extends not only to our interaction with clients and patients, but also to our own health and well-being and that of our friends, families and colleagues.

9. GPs can refer employed patients
All employers can refer employees, who have been off work for 4 weeks or more, for a free Fit for Work referral
GPs can refer employed patients
The occupational health professional will produce a Return to Work Plan, which can replace the need for a fit note
Employees can access free, confidential and expert work-related health advice
Fit for Work is funded by the UK Government.

10.
Employers, Employees and GPs
Advice Hub
Live Chat
Advice Line:
Ask a Question
Get Involved

11. In Work Support Service
Rapid access to occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychological therapy services, to help people return to work or manage a health condition in work
Support for musculoskeletal and mental health problems and drug and alcohol misuse
ESF funded in convergence areas:
Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey:
Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea:
The In Work Support Service is delivered in partnership by the Welsh Government, Rhyl City Strategy and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

12. Health for Health Professionals Wales
Face-to-face counselling service for all doctors in Wales
Health for Health Professionals Wales is funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by Cardiff University.

13. In summary, our aim is to move NHS Wales from an illness service to one of wellness. We can all contribute to this goal. 13 13 13

14. Diolch yn fawr / Thank you
For further information please