Introduction to the

National Good Practice Sharing

Session
Professor Dame Carol Black
National Director, Health and Work, United Kingdom
Aims of the session
 To gain an overview of the issues in the management of
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Europe and in-country
 To hear the perspectives of EU policy makers and national
stakeholders on how they are approaching these issues
 To begin to formulate how good practice in Member States can be
shared and adopted elsewhere, and action can be taken to drive policy
change
What is our overall goal?
Healthy, engaged Well-managed
workforces organisations

• A high-performing,
resilient workforce
• Enhanced productivity

Contributing to:
• A well-functioning society
• Better economic performance
Health Problems in the Workplace
Impacting Productivity
Six of the ten top problems have musculo-skeletal
components or associations.
1. Fatigue
2. Depression
3. Back/neck pain
4. Sleeping problem
5. Other chronic pain
6. Arthritis
7. Hypertension
8. Obesity
9. High cholesterol
10.Anxiety
Other consequences of the problem
 Reinforces and perpetuates
patterns of poverty and social
exclusion
 Blights communities and stunts
prospects of tomorrow’s
working age population
 Hinders progress towards higher
economic growth and greater
social justice
Not just the worker or business is
 Unsustainable cost to the affected, but often the family and
economy children. Children in workless
households suffer higher rates of
psychiatric disorder.
Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, Dame Carol Black, 17 March 2008
1. Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, Dame Carol Black, 17 March 2008
Tackling the problem:
Correcting misconceptions and changing attitudes

 Compelling evidence that work is  In some countries this

generally good for both physical misconception underpins
and mental health and well- procedures for certification of
being. Beneficial effects of work sickness absence2
outweigh the risks1
 Also, vocational rehabilitation,
 Nevertheless the fallacy persists occupational health service, and
that individuals should only be at employer flexibility are
work if 100% fit. Many frequently inadequate.
individuals wrongly believe that
 Vital that employers, healthcare
work is harmful to health .1
professionals and the public
understand better the positive
links between work and health2

1. Waddell and Burton, September 2006

2. Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, Dame Carol Black, 17 March 2008

Early intervention - essential
Old system: paper ‘Sick Note’ New system: ‘Fit Note’

Uninterrupted flow of the untreated unwell.

Cultural and behavioural change required. Plus ‘Fit for Work’
Service pilots
The vision

“
We want to create a society where the positive links
between work and health are recognised by all,
where everyone aspires to a healthy and fulfilling
working life, and where health conditions and
disabilities are not a bar to enjoying the benefits of

”
work.

Improving health and work: changing lives

UK Government Response to the Black review, 2008