Partner Article

JobCentre staff on hand at the doc's

People on long term sickness can now find work by visiting their GP. Job Centre staff are working in surgeries and health centres at several sites in the North East.

Patients at the McKenzie Group practice in Hartlepool can get advice on getting back to work after seeing a doctor or nurse. A worker is also in place at Billingham Health Centre to help those on incapacity benefit, employment and support allowance or statutory sick pay.

The scheme is part of the government’s Pathways to Work Programme. Advisors can also provide information on the support and opportunities available to help people move into work, and can help them to look forjobs.

In Hartlepool, 6,920 people of working age claim incapacity benefits, with 2,680 of those claiming for mental health reasons, while in the Easington district there are 9,400 incapacity benefit claimants and 3,490 of those due to mental health.

Jobcentre Plus advisor Martin Harvey said: “We know loss of confidence is a big barrier stopping people with long-term health conditions returning to work and that the current economic situation may put many people off. “It’s great we can work in GP surgeries to offer that boost people need to get back into employment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .