New DWP scheme helping long-term sick people to be trialled in Cambridgeshire

A new work and health support service to help long-term sick people back to work is due to be rolled out across Cambridgeshire. The county is one of 15 areas across the country that will be trialling the scheme.

The WorkWell programme was launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Health and Social Care. It will connect people with local support services, including physiotherapy and counselling, to help them stay or return to work.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride announced the scheme on Tuesday (May 7). It is due to start in October and could help up to 59,000 people.

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He added: "We are rolling out the next generation of welfare reforms so that thousands more people can gain all the benefits work brings. Too many today are falling out of work in a spiral of sickness that harms their finances, their prospects and ultimately their health, where with the right workplace adjustments and help, this needn’t be the case.

"And so we have designed WorkWell, a groundbreaking new service, that will for the first time integrate health and work advice at the local level, as part of our plan to stem the flow into economic inactivity, grow the economy, and change lives for the better."

The Government said WorkWell was "for anyone with a health condition or disability, including mental health conditions, who wants to work". It is a voluntary service, so people will be able to self-refer, or may be referred to it through their GP, employer or the community sector.

These professionals will also provide advice on workplace adjustments, such as flexible working or adaptive technology, facilitate conversations with employers on health needs, and provide access to local services such as physiotherapy, employment advice and counselling.

WorkWell pilots will take place in the following areas:

1. Birmingham and Solihull

2. Black Country

3. Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

4. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

5. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

6. Coventry and Warwickshire

7. Frimley

8. Herefordshire and Worcestershire

9. Greater Manchester

10. Lancashire and South Cumbria

11. Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

12. North Central London

13. North West London

14. South Yorkshire

15. Surrey Heartlands

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