Free health check

By David Newble

Friday, March 5, 2010

SMALL businesses on the IW now have free access to professional health advice — thanks to a new government helpline.

The Department of Work and Pensions is piloting the Health for Work Adviceline after a recent report found a need to provide employers, particularly small firms, with easy access to advice on workplace health issues.

It is estimated that more than £100bn is lost to the UK economy each year because of working-age health and sickness absence, of which between £30 and £40bn is due to mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.

Employers can call the adviceline, which will run until March 2011, on 0800 077 88 44 or find more out at www.health4work.nhs.uk.

Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk