Occupational Health

Q3 Lorraine Barrett: Will the Minister make a statement on occupational health in Wales? OAQ(3)0863(HSS)

I went straight to my question, Presiding Officer.

Edwina Hart: I am taking an integrated approach to improving occupational health services, involving individuals, employers and health professionals as part of our Healthy Working Wales initiative. I have convened a task and finish group to explore the potential to provide such services on a statutory basis.

Lorraine Barrett: You will be aware that the UK Government recently announced that sick notes could be replaced in England by an electronic form of 'fit notes’. Have you had the opportunity to discuss this proposal with doctors in Wales?

Edwina Hart: As you are probably aware, the Wales Audit Office has just released a draft report on the management of sickness absence by NHS trusts, which is relevant to this discussion, following up on an audit report that it produced in 2003-04. The recommendations in the report will need to be examined, to look at the issues around sickness levels in the NHS and at the wider issues that have implications for society. I will then consider the most appropriate direction for Wales in relation to the introduction of fit notes, after I have had the opportunity of looking at the WAO report and discussing it with my working group.