Why did the Royal College of Occupational Therapists support National Employability Day on the 28 June this year for the first time ever? Because this celebration was the perfect opportunity to shout about the hard work that occupational therapists do every day to keep people with health problems in the workplace, and shout about our new clinics in GP surgeries.
Why are occupational working therapists in GP surgeries? Simply put we can help people live long and healthy lives by keeping them in meaningful, good quality employment.
Because being in employment is one of the most important determinants of life expectancy and quality of life. Lots of people, despite some negative media stories, want and need to work. It's like a vaccine that keeps us mentally and physically well. Employment gives us opportunity and choice, identity and status.
But sadly, people who struggle with their health are more likely to either fall out of work or never get a job in the first place. And people really worry about this; the impact that losing their job will have on them and their ability to house and feed their family. The national employment rate may be at its highest in a generation, but for disabled people, it is much lower. In any year, disabled people are twice as likely to leave work as those without disabilities.
This has to stop. It keeps disabled people in poverty. That’s why our Occupational Therapy Led Vocational Clinics are supported by the government’s Joint Work and Health unit; to drive the necessary change.
Where can people go for help? Often the first stop for those who are struggling with work is the trusted GP surgery. This safe, confidential hub in every community often provides the only source of support for people and crucially, with someone who is on “their side”. Although one in three of UK employees have a long-term health condition, most never disclose this to their employer. So support from GPs and Practice Nurses is crucial. On average nine to ten million GP fit notes are provided every year in England alone. To meet this pressing demand, we are trying something new. Across eight sites in Southampton and Pembrokeshire, occupational therapists are running free clinics in GP surgeries to help people who want to stay at work. Over 100 people have used the clinics so far.
What happens in these vocational clinics? The first meeting between the occupational therapist and the individual explores their health and work situation. Are people feeling stressed and depressed? Are there problems with lower back aches and pains? What are the parts of the job that are now difficult?
The occupational therapist and individual then look at self-management strategies; what might help people feel less stressed and happier? What can people do to help improve pain and sleep? This focuses on non-medical interventions such as gentle regular exercise, sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioural approaches for low mood. They also talk about what could happen in the work place to make it easier for the person to stay there; focusing on what people can do rather than what they can’t do; altering schedules and routines; asking for help; doing activities a different way rather than stopping all together.
And guess what? It works! Providing people with personalised, tailored advice about health and work means most of the people who have used the clinics so far can go back to work earlier than the GP estimates if they want to.
This approach empowers people to be the architects of their own lives rather than feeling that the only options are the GP fit note or leaving the workplace. Occupation therapists take a person centred approach that considers what the individual needs to help them stay in work. We are providing choice, control and that vital work vaccination.