As a GP, I saw patients who had to be reassessed repeatedly, which did not seem fair, but I have also seen patients who do not engage with services and do not take medication, yet are signed off work. This is neither fair nor compassionate, for those in need or for the taxpayer.
WorkWell - launched by the previous Conservative Government - was designed to help people with health conditions stay in or return to work.
It does this through tailored, local, early support:
Aided by multidisciplinary teams
Across 15 pilot areas – including Leicestershire
Trialling GP fit-note reforms
Providing support with mental health, physio, finance & more
Yesterday I asked the Work and Pensions Secretary for clarity on the future of the programme.
I know many of you will have seen the news overnight and might be wondering how I voted on the Government’s proposed welfare reforms – I voted against the Bill, which was left in disarray after multiple U-turns by the Government.
There was unprecedented chaos on the floor of the House as parts of the Bill were dropped ad hoc.
The Government should have withdrawn the Bill and looked properly at how to make lasting and meaningful change.
