Transcript Impact on CSP members signing
The role of physiotherapy in keeping staff healthy and productive at work Natalie Beswetherick OBE MBA FCSP 26 th March 2013 University of Worcester
Seminar objectives
• Explain what musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are • Explain the cost of workplace illness in the UK and its impact • Outline UK implications from WHO report • Define physiotherapy and what they do • Describe role of physiotherapists to help people return to the workplace or support them to remain at work • Demonstrate cost savings and benefits to employers of an occupational physiotherapy services
What are musculoskeletal disorders?
Musculoskeletal disorders include low back pain, joint injuries, neck pain, and muscular aches and strains causing pain and loss of physical function.
Size of the problem
Low back pain is the number one cause of long term illness amongst manual workers in the UK
Impact and cost of MSD’s in the NHS On average, NHS staff have 10.7 days sickness absence a year, The NHS could save £555 million a year by
sickness absence by 33%
(Ref: Boorman S. NHS health and well-being review: interim report. London: Department of Health; 2009 , URL: www.nhshealthandwellbeing.org/pdfs/NHS%20Staff%20H&WB %20 Review%20Final%20Report%20VFinal%2020-11-09.pdf)
Cost of workplace illness in the UK and its impact
• 22.7 million working days lost due to work related illness/injury • Musculoskeletal disorders account for 7.5 million working days due to sickness absence • Average working days lost per person with musculoskeletal disorders was 17 days • In 2010/2011 workplace illness cost society £8.2 billion Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 2011/2012
UK implications from WHO Global Burden of Disease study 2010
Long term absence due to Musculoskeletal disorders is common in the UK
Likelihood of Return to Work (RTW): • 6 months 50% chance of RTW • 12 months 30% chance of RTW • 24 months 10% chance of RTW • Once on State benefit for 6 – 12 months 90% remain on for at least 5 years • People on State benefit for >2 years are more likely to die on benefits than return to work
www.tsoshop.co.uk/flags Kendall Burton Main Watson 2009
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disease
The role of physiotherapy Physiotherapists through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advise, can restore, maintain and improve physical ability
Physiotherapists can assist employers by…
• Stop people going off work in the first place • Get people back to work • Facilitate return to work if modified duties or hours worked are required • Deliver a cost effective service – for every £1 invested, business get a minimum return of £3
Employers reported benefits...
• sickness absence and less use of temporary staff • employee productivity • staff retention (loyalty to the organisation) • employee satisfaction • profitability of the organisation
Case Study: Rapid Access Physiotherapy in NHS
• Outcomes: – 18% MSD’s in episodes of sickness absence from – 21% in whole time equivalent days lost in one year – Saved £170,000 in one year
5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust www.ewin.northwest.nhs.uk
Case Study: Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
• Provides support for staff to maintain their health to: – Have healthier motivated staff – Increased productivity by reduced sickness absence – Preventing ill health by raising staff awareness
Fit Enough for Patients? An audit of workplace health and wellbeing services for NHS Staff, CSP 13.03.2013
Case Study: Royal Mail
Benefits of the workplace support and physiotherapy service: • sickness absence by 25% over 3 years • 3,600 employees returned to work • A return of £5 for every £1 invested
Advice for employers to get benefits
• Ensure staff who work in one position for a long time take regular breaks to move around • Enable staff to report MSDs quickly and seek advice to manage this • Display leaflets and posters on healthy eating and taking regular exercise
Summary
• Musculoskeletal problems are costly • Employers who provide early access to services such as physiotherapy see: – costs – employee health – productivity