Posted By Hugh Coyle I am currently reviewing the service available to our company, a UK FTSE PLC, Does anyone have experience of setting up a rehabiliation / return to work programme in the UK? Unfortuneatly, most of the research and services I have seen offered has been aimed at US corporations, but I am looking for services aimed at a geographically spread UK company. The return to work scheme should deal with workplace and non-workplace illness and accident. Any advice on getting started, such as external service providers etc., would be much appreciated.

Posted By Peter Rees Hugh, You may find that your insurance company can provide the type of service/support that you are after. We are a UK FTSE PLC also with about 40 sites UK wide(and Ireland). We have now a very good case management procedure set up with Zurich. This deals with a fast-track absence management that has occurred due to work-related illnesses/accidents, ie we can (under certain procedural restrictions) get the patient to, for example, a BUPA physio, rather than them waiting for an NHS one. The advantages of this to the company are that it tends to bring the injured person back to work more quickly, and can reduce any potential claim for compensation. For the employee - they feel that the company does actually care, and are happier with the faster treatment.

Posted By Elizabeth Hallows I am currently involved in setting up a rehab and return to work scheme for a local government organisation,limted only to people absent as a result of musculoskeletal disorders [could be as a result of home or work injury, or simply an insidious onset]. To make the case for funding, I gathered relevant info together [such as input that has proved successful], and would be happy to email you the final report, if it would be helpful to you. Elizabeth Hallows e.hallows@ntlworld.com