HC Deb 24 May 2002 vol 386 c697W
Mr. Best

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to develop an occupational health service for the police. [56908]

Mr. Denham

An occupational health strategy for the police service has been developed as part of the police reform programme and it is currently subject to consultation with the staff associations and other representative bodies. The strategy will aim to reduce sickness absence rates and ill health retirements through improved sickness management and occupational health services.

The Home Office will be spending £4 million during 2002–03 to assist forces in improving the quality of their occupational health provision.