The role of physiotherapy

in keeping staff healthy and productive at work-

Natalie Beswetherick OBE MBA FCSP

26th March 2013

University of Worcester

• Explain what musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are

• Explain the cost of workplace illness in the UK and its impact

• Outline UK implications from WHO report

• Define physiotherapy and what they do

• Describe role of physiotherapists to help people return to the workplace or support them to remain at work

• Demonstrate cost savings and benefits to employers of an occupational physiotherapy services

Seminar objectives

Musculoskeletal disorders

include low back pain, joint injuries, neck

pain, and muscular aches

and strains causing pain and loss of

physical function.

What are musculoskeletal disorders?

Low back pain is the number one cause of long term illness

amongst manual workers in the

UK

Size of the problem

On average, NHS staff have 10.7 days sickness absence a year,

The NHS could save £555 million a year by sickness absence by 33%

(Ref: Boorman S. NHS health and well-being review: interim report. London: Department of Health; 2009 , URL: www.nhshealthandwellbeing.org/pdfs/NHS%20Staff%20H&WB%20 Review%20Final%20Report%20VFinal%2020-11-09.pdf)

Impact and cost of MSD’s in the NHS

22.7 million working days lost due to work related illness/injury

Musculoskeletal disorders account for 7.5 million working days due to sickness absence

Average working days lost per person with musculoskeletal disorders was 17 days

In 2010/2011 workplace illness cost society £8.2 billion

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 2011/2012

Cost of workplace illness in the UK and its impact

UK implications from WHO Global Burden of Disease study 2010

Likelihood of Return to Work (RTW):• 6 months 50% chance of RTW• 12 months 30% chance of RTW• 24 months 10% chance of RTW

• Once on State benefit for 6 – 12 months 90% remain on for at least 5 years

• People on State benefit for >2 years are more likely to die on benefits than return to work

Long term absence due to Musculoskeletal disorders is common in the UK

www.tsoshop.co.uk/flags

Kendall Burton Main Watson 2009

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and

function when someone is affected by injury, illness or

disease

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists through movement and exercise,

manual therapy, education and advise,

can restore, maintain and improve physical ability

The role of physiotherapy

• Stop people going off work in the first place

• Get people back to work

• Facilitate return to work if modified duties or hours worked are required

• Deliver a cost effective service – for every £1 invested, business get a minimum return of £3

Physiotherapists can assist employers by…

Employers reported benefits...

• sickness absence and less use of temporary staff

• employee productivity

• staff retention (loyalty to the organisation)

• employee satisfaction

• profitability of the organisation

Case Study: Rapid Access Physiotherapy in NHS

• Outcomes:

– 18% in episodes of sickness absence from MSD’s

– 21% in whole time equivalent days lost in one year

– Saved £170,000 in one year

5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trustwww.ewin.northwest.nhs.uk

Case Study: Great Ormond Street Hospital, London

• Provides support for staff to maintain their health to:

– Have healthier motivated staff

– Increased productivity by reduced sickness absence

– Preventing ill health by raising staff awareness

Fit Enough for Patients? An audit of workplace healthand wellbeing services for NHS Staff, CSP 13.03.2013

Case Study: Royal Mail

Benefits of the workplace support and physiotherapy service:

• sickness absence by 25% over 3 years

• 3,600 employees returned to work

• A return of £5 for every £1 invested

• Ensure staff who work in one position for a long time take regular breaks to move around

• Enable staff to report MSDs quickly and seek advice to manage this

• Display leaflets and posters on healthy eating and taking regular exercise

Advice for employers to get benefits

Summary

• Musculoskeletal problems are costly

• Employers who provide early access to services such as physiotherapy see:– costs– employee health– productivity

Thank you for listening

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Any Questions?

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