Supporting Occupational Health & Wellbeing (SOHWELL)

Abstract

SOHWELL is an early intervention programme based on the biopsychosocial model which has transformed the way the States of Guernsey approaches work rehabilitation. As a result, in 2023 Guernsey experienced a 6-year low in terms of the number of sickness claims that lasted longer than six months. Background Like many jurisdictions, Guernsey has experienced a rising trend in long-term sickness and as a result has taken steps to transform its approach to work rehabilitation by focussing on occupational health and early intervention to minimise the number of cases that last more than 6 months. Aims • To develop an approach to work rehabilitation based on the biopsychosocial model. • To work with private and public sector stakeholders to improve outcomes. • To develop a work and wellbeing assessment to complement the work capability assessment. • To develop an Occupational Health Strategy for the whole Island. Methods • A partnership approach between social security, primary care doctors, Public Health, Occupational Health, and Third Sector, with strategic input provided by Occupational Health consultant. • A case management team that contacts clients at the four-week stage of incapacity and liaises with treating practitioners and employers to agree return-to-work plans. • Case managers can access government initiatives which enable gradual return to work, re-training, voluntary work, work experience, paid work placements, recruitment grants for employers and back to work bonuses for clients. • Case managers can refer to various work rehabilitation schemes to prepare clients for work, and support clients into work, and to remain in work. A key organisation is the Guernsey Employment Trust which supports disabled and disadvantaged people into work. Results • In 2023, Guernsey experienced a 6-year low in terms of the number of sickness claims that lasted longer than six months. • Expenditure on short-term sickness benefit was approximately 9% below budget. Conclusions • The SOHWELL programme is proving to be an effective work rehabilitation tool. • Partnership working with key stakeholders, and the positive working relationship with treating practitioners are key to the SOHWELL programme’s success. • The new approach to case management, including the access to the tools to facilitate access to work rehabilitation is proving effective and will be developed further. • Once finalised, the Occupational Health Strategy for the Island will reinforce the commitment to work rehabilitation from a strategic perspective and help to maximise the Island’s active workforce.