Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial support he is making available to improve vocational rehabilitation services through the national service framework for chronic and neurological disorders. [83854]
§ Jacqui SmithThe national service framework for long-term conditions (NSF) will focus on neurological conditions and some of the generic issues relevant to a wide range of people with disabilities and long term conditions. We have appointed an external reference group to take forward the detailed development of the NSF and to consider the range of issues it should tackle which could include vocational rehabilitation. We recognise the importance of supporting people with long-term conditions to remain in or return to work wherever possible. We plan to publish the NSF in 2004. Implementation will cover a 10-year period starting in 2005. We will consider the resource and funding implications of implementing the NSF during its development.
The Government are currently testing out which health and employment interventions are most effective in supporting people with illness or disability to stay in work.