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<p /> <p>Fit for Work, previously known as the Health and Work Service, is comprised
of two elements:</p><p> </p><p>i) Free, expert and impartial work-related health advice
via a website and telephone line</p><p>ii) Referral to an occupational health professional
for employees who are, or are expected to, undergo a period of sickness absence from
work lasting four weeks or more. The Fit for Work occupational health professional
will identify obstacles preventing the employee from returning to work and produce
a Return to Work Plan tailored to the employee’s needs.</p><p> </p><p>The advice element
of Fit for Work went live in England and Wales in December 2014.</p><p> </p><p>From
January 2015 some GPs in the Sheffield area had the opportunity to try the assessment
service. This will be expanded across the country over a period of months from spring,
building on this experience and learning.</p><p> </p><p>Fit for Work Scotland is being
delivered by the Scottish Government; the advice element went live in December 2014
and the referral element went live, initially in three NHS Board areas, in January
2015. As with England and Wales, this will be expanded across Scotland from the spring.</p>
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