New MOHS Workplace Health fact sheet – Fit notes shift focus from “Can’t do” to “Can do”

A new method for reporting sickness came into effect on 6 April 2010. Up until that date, employees who were off work sick or injured for more than seven days needed to provide a sick note (a form issued to them by their doctor which enabled them to claim sick pay). The sick note has now been replaced by a “fit note”, the idea of which is to make it easier for people to return to work and to shift the focus from what they can’t do to what they can do…

MOHS Workplace Health has written a fact sheet about this area to help organisations.

Fit Notes

West Midlands Health Information Week July 5 – 11th 2010

MOHS Workplace Health is pleased to support and promote the West Midlands Health Information Week this week.

Health Information Week is a campaign throughout the West Midlands to improve access to health information. In the West Midlands region staff from local authorities, public libraries, NHS, voluntary sector, independent information and advice centres have all been working together to make their health resources more available to the public.

In most areas local libraries and information centres will have extra health information available, leaflets to take away or sessions to show you how to use the computer to find good quality health information. Look out for posters in your area or visit your local library to find out more.  A report is available from Health Information Week 2005 and 2006 and 2007 and 2008 and 2009.

Find out what is going on in your area: (confirmed events in some areas not available yet)

Events Diary for Health Information Week

For Information Providers:

Here are some of the documents that are provided to help you give the public access to good quality health information in this week:

Uncategorized

Good luck to the Race for Life team!

A team from MOHS Workplace Health are Racing for Life this weekend in Sutton Park in the West Midlands.

The race, on 19th June, is part of Cancer Research UK’s activity and is set to raise thousands of pounds to help with research into cancer.

Company News

National men’s health week 14 – 20 June 2010

It’s men’s health week this week and MOHS Workplace Health is pleased to support it and help raise men’s health issues in the workplace.

Men have specific health issues at work – here are some key facts which we found on the HSE website.

Health

Summer workplace health courses discounted!

Summer is approaching and everyone is planning their breaks and fun in the sun.  The summer tends to be a quieter time for us – which means that it’s an ideal time to book people onto our workplace health courses!

For all workplace health training courses held in July and August we have decided to offer a 5% discount – this means you can get more high quality training for your team for less.

Hurry beacuse the places will go fast!  To book contact Nikki Adams on 0121 601 4041 or email her at nikkiadams@mohs.co.uk

Company News, Health, Health and Safety

Work stress link to financial squeeze

I was interested, but not surprised, to see the BBC reporting this morning that work pressures during the recession have resulted in an increase in mental health problems at work – this was revealed in a study conducted by Mind.

The Mind survey suggests that one in 11 British workers has been to the GP for stress and anxiety resulting from the recession and 7% of them said they were prescribed medicines to help them cope.

Mind believes that work related stress will soon become the largest cause of abscence from work.

Mind’s chief executive, Paul Farmer says  “It’s more important than ever that businesses look at how they can manage stress levels and improve the working environment for all their employees.”

We are working increasingly with organisations to help them manage stress related illnesses. If your organisation needs specific help or advice, or wants to set up a stress management programme please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Uncategorized

Well done to The Long Mynd Walkers!

Well done to the our team – Helen Mackenzie, Sally Holt, Chrissie Wood and Helen Jemmett for completing The Long Mynd Walk for The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Fund on Saturday 8th May.

The walk was a gruelling 11 miles and started with a steep ascent, before reaching a plateau amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Shropshire. Here are some photos of the team enjoying their challenge!

Charity, Company News

Basic first aid training

We are seeing more and more companies committing to raising the first aid skills of their whole team and not just the first aiders.  This was demonstrated last month when Maria put on a bespoke First Aid Training Day for Arcelor Mittal Tailored Blanks Birmingham Ltd.  The day, organised by Plant Manager Stuart Davis, was part of Arcelor Mittal’s global commitment to health and safety.  “Every plant around the globe shuts down for the day once a year to focus on key health and safety issues.  This year the theme was “Shared Vigilance”.

MOHS Workplace Health was pleased to support the day with a basic first Aid training course for everyone on the shop floor and the managers. Stuart said “We received positive feedback from all of our employees on the trainers and the fun in carrying out the practical exercises. The local newspaper also took pictures on the day! We take first aid at work extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring that all of our staff have a grasp of the basic principles to support our first aiders.”

First Aid

Travel health – a duty of care beyond UK boundaries – new travel health fact sheet to download

The number of people travelling on business is increasing year on year. In the last year alone, more than 3.5 million international trips were made by employees, a quarter of which were to high risk destinations. Employers have a duty of care that extends beyond UK boundaries to workers around the globe…

‘Duty of care’ means that employers have a legal and moral obligation to act prudently towards employees to avoid illness and injuries that could have reasonably been foreseen. With growing numbers of companies seeking market opportunities overseas, the number of employees that are being exposed to potential risks abroad is increasing. So, too, is the nature of the risks, which can range from infectious diseases and natural disasters through to crime and political instability.

MOHS, Travel Health

Long Mynd Walk

A team from MOHS Workplace Health comprising of Helen Mackenzie, Sally Holt, Chrissie Wood and Helen Jemmett are doing The Long Mynd Walk for The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Fund on Saturday 8th May.  The walk is a gruelling 11 miles and starts with a steep ascent, before reaching a plateau amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Shropshire.

Helen Jemmett said “We have been putting in quite a lot of practice in advance of the walk in an attempt to ward off the blisters and sore muscles.  We are really looking forward to it”

The adventurous walkers have been seen all around the west midlands over the last few weeks, putting in the miles in advance of the day.  Everyone at MOHS is looking forward to seeing the photographs and hearing all about it.

Charity, Company News, MOHS