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Margaret Hodge speaks to Dr Philip Posner |
Minister praises docs who help sick to work
Margaret Hodge praises James Wigg
Practice’s project during visit
EMPLOYMENT Minister Margaret Hodge visited the James Wigg
Practice in Bartholomew Road on Thursday where a scheme has
cut incapacity benefit claims by offering employment advice.
The James Wigg scheme, funded by the London Development Agency
(LDA), was set up as a pilot by employment charity Tomorrow’s
People in 2001.
Ms Hodge said: “What we want to do is get people back into
good health. I think schemes like this are the future of healthcare.
We have some interesting plans. But getting it right is difficult.”
Under the scheme, doctors refer patients to employment adviser
Faruk Noor, who gives them an hour-long confidence-boosting
session.
Mr Noor said: “It’s only a small percentage that play
the system. Most people I see genuinely want help. I’ve
not done my job until I’ve got people motivated.”
Organisers claim Mr Noor has halved incapacity benefit claims
from patients, boasting an 87 per cent success rate in getting
patients back to work.
The figures have attracted the attention of Ms Hodge who is
trying to rid Britain of its “sick-note culture” by
introducing a new scheme that rewards people who actively look
for work.
She listened to pleas from the charity waiting on a LDA decision
on whether they can continue the £50,000-a-year service.
Ms Hodge described the scheme as “not the cheapest end
of the market.”
But Dr Philip Posner, who has worked at the surgery for 13 years,
said that Mr Noor should be able to spend more time helping
patients.
He said: “Everyday we see how social situations impact
on people’s health. Employment decreases stress. We only
get 10 minutes to see patients. It’s just great to have
another option.”
•MS Hodge backed the decision to close the Jamestown day
centre in Adelaide Road during her visit.
She told the New Journal: “I agree with the closure of
day centres. People say they don’t want to go back to work,
but that is down to a lack of confidence. I think underneath
they want to work”. |
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