Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to improve services to get those who have chronic diseases but are of working age back to work. [74503]
§ Jacqui SmithHelping people back to work after an accident or illness is a priority for the Government. The Department works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and organisations representing disabled people to review and develop policy in this area.
We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive on job retention and rehabilitation pilots to test different health and employment strategies to help people with long term sickness or disability to remain in their jobs. They will start in April 2003 and run for two years. Job retention advisers will act early to assist those who have been forced to give up work through prolonged illness or disability to retain their skills and links with employers.