A Position Paper for the Latvian Presidency - 2015
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Fit for Work Europe is lead by the Work Foundation and supported by AbbVie and GE Healthcare A Position Paper for the Latvian Presidency of the European Council Fit for Work Europe calls upon the Latvian government to consider the following policy positions when deciding upon the health and work priorities of the Latvian Presidency: Develop, produce and disseminate through Eurostat a new framework for collecting quality standardised data on the prevalence and incidence of chronic conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), in the Member States. Some Member States define very precisely the various chronic condition complaints recognised by them, whilst others list diseases by major groups, without going into detail. The new framework should support Member States to register the various diagnoses associated with chronic conditions in a standardised way. In addition, the framework should enable operations such as cross- country analyses and segregation of data by gender, working age, diagnosis group, etc. Develop and implement National Plans for Chronic Conditions, including MSDs, to maximise chances to stay in, or return to work as soon as possible. These build on the European Commission’s recommendation that Member States should adopt active labour market policies (ALMPs) to foster economic growth. The National Plans should encourage the enforcement of existing national legislation requiring reasonable, flexible workplace adjustments by employers that can help people with chronic diseases stay in work or reintegrate into the workforce. The National Plans should also focus on the reallocation of budgets and coordinated planning of services which deliver prevention, accurate diagnosis, early intervention and the management of chronic diseases such as MSDs, which are impacting on the working-age population. Support Member States to appoint and empower National Directors for Health and Work who report to and coordinate policy among Health, Social and Finance Ministries. A core part of this role should be to facilitate coordinated action across ministries (government departments) and the sharing of the benefits of joint investments. These National Directors should be experts who command respect amongst all stakeholders and who will deliver novel, strategic and integrated approaches to health and work policy and practice across national health, employment, social affairs and finance ministries (departments). Make Early Intervention (prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care) and return to work a priority of Chronic Disease management. Despite the magnitude of MSDs in Europe, they are still undiagnosed in over 40% of cases. We highlight two tools which can serve as useful best practices: MSD Early Intervention Pilot in Spain. The Spanish Early Intervention clinic pilot demonstrates the positive impact on MSD patient health and the economy, resulting in a 39% reduction in temporary work disability and 50% decrease in permanent work disability. UK Fit Note. The Fit Note, introduced in 2010, promotes effective prevention and accurate diagnosis via regular meaningful dialogue on a patient’s workability status (capacity to perform specific tasks) between people with chronic conditions and healthcare professionals – either GPs or occupational health physicians.
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Fit for Work Europe calls upon the Latvian government to consider supporting people with MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) through solid policy measures when deciding upon the health and work priorities of the Latvian Presidency.
Transcript of A Position Paper for the Latvian Presidency - 2015
Fit for Work Europe is lead by the Work Foundation and supported by AbbVie and GE Healthcare
A Position Paper for the Latvian Presidency of the European Council
Fit for Work Europe calls upon the Latvian government to consider the following policy positions when deciding upon the health and work priorities of the Latvian Presidency:
Develop, produce and disseminate through Eurostat a new framework for collecting quality standardised data on the prevalence and incidence of chronic conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), in the Member States. Some Member States define very precisely the various chronic condition complaints recognised by them, whilst others list diseases by major groups, without going into detail. The new framework should support Member States to register the various diagnoses associated with chronic conditions in a standardised way. In addition, the framework should enable operations such as cross-country analyses and segregation of data by gender, working age, diagnosis group, etc.
Develop and implement National Plans for Chronic Conditions, including MSDs, to maximise chances to stay in, or return to work as soon as possible. These build on the European Commission’s recommendation that Member States should adopt active labour market policies (ALMPs) to foster economic growth. The National Plans should encourage the enforcement of existing national legislation requiring reasonable, flexible workplace adjustments by employers that can help people with chronic diseases stay in work or reintegrate into the workforce. The National Plans should also focus on the reallocation of budgets and coordinated planning of services which deliver prevention, accurate diagnosis, early intervention and the management of chronic diseases such as MSDs, which are impacting on the working-age population.
Support Member States to appoint and empower National Directors for Health and Work who report to and coordinate policy among Health, Social and Finance Ministries. A core part of this role should be to facilitate coordinated action across ministries (government departments) and the sharing of the benefits of joint investments. These National Directors should be experts who command respect amongst all stakeholders and who will deliver novel, strategic and integrated approaches to health and work policy and practice across national health, employment, social affairs and finance ministries (departments).
Make Early Intervention (prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care) and return to work a priority of Chronic Disease management. Despite the magnitude of MSDs in Europe, they are still undiagnosed in over 40% of cases. We highlight two tools which can serve as useful best practices:
MSD Early Intervention Pilot in Spain. The Spanish Early Intervention clinic pilot demonstrates the positive impact on MSD patient health and the economy, resulting in a 39% reduction in temporary work disability and 50% decrease in permanent work disability.
UK Fit Note. The Fit Note, introduced in 2010, promotes effective prevention and accurate diagnosis via regular meaningful dialogue on a patient’s workability status (capacity to perform specific tasks) between people with chronic conditions and healthcare professionals – either GPs or occupational health physicians.
Fit for Work Europe is lead by the Work Foundation and supported by AbbVie and GE Healthcare
About Fit for Work Europe Fit for Work Europe is a multi-stakeholder Coalition, driving policy and practice change across the work and health agendas. We aim to deliver more investment in sustainable healthcare by promoting and implementing early intervention practices. Research shows this approach is the most effective way of ensuring people with MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) can enter and remain in work across the EU and globally. Fit for Work Europe is led by The Work Foundation, supported by AbbVie and GE Healthcare. For more information please visit www.fitforworkeurope.eu Contact
Founding President - Prof Stephen Bevan, [email protected]
Executive Director - Antonella Cardone, [email protected] Project Manager - Ioana Piscociu, [email protected] Phone: +4420 7976 35 26
The Work Foundation, 21 Palmer Street, London, SW1H 0AD, UK
