The Royal College of Midwives has welcomed an announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care that thousands of frontline NHS staff in England will benefit from a free rehabilitation programme.
Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme, being rolled out in partnership with the Government, will support NHS workers with chronic and long-term joint conditions like arthritis and aims to support staff to regain their quality of life and remain at work.
The RCM says some members have already benefitted from Nuffield’s Joint Pain Programme, but current eligibility excludes some other health conditions such as COPD and diabetes and this must be urgently reviewed. In addition, we have concerns about the level of qualifications of physiotherapist trainers.
Lesley Wood, Health and Safety Advisor at the RCM, said:
“Access to occupational health services and the ability to self-refer, particularly for musculoskeletal disorders, are huge issues for midwives. Also, reasonable adjustments that are needed to support midwives and maternity support workers suffering from musculoskeletal and other longer-term health conditions aren’t always in place. This often results in avoidable sickness absence. We know musculoskeletal conditions are the second leading cause of absence among NHS staff, so why isn’t the NHS doing more to support its staff to remain in work when and where they can? Our members have told us that small adjustments to ensure workplace safety as well as more opportunities to work flexibly would better support them to stay in work.
“Midwifery can be a physically demanding and stressful job, often resulting in musculoskeletal problems, exhaustion and burnout, so the introduction of this programme is welcomed. We know when staff wellbeing is supported, employee motivation increases, performance levels rise and outcomes for the women in their care improve.
“In addition, we know that workplaces with union health and safety reps and a safety committee have half the serious injury rates than those that don’t. This means they have a health and safety rep on site, who can negotiate terms and conditions at local level.”
As part of its Caring for You campaign, the RCM has called on Trusts and Boards to put in place plans and reasonable adjustments to better support staff suffering from not only short-term injuries and musculoskeletal issues, but longer term health conditions too.
Lesley added:
“Right now, given the staffing pressures facing many maternity services, Trusts and Health Boards need to be doing all they can to retain midwifery staff. We are pleased that the programme is being rolled out but would like to see it being broadened to include other health conditions such as COPD and diabetes.”
The programme will work with NHS teams to identity staff suitable for the programme and initially offer it at 10 trusts in London, Birmingham and the Northwest before a national rollout later this year.
ENDS
