The Department for Work and Pensions, the Department of Health and the HSE are progressing a strategy to enable healthier working environments, and to ensure people get the necessary help they need to stay in work if they become ill.
Key stakeholders from the public and private sectors have become signatories to a charter, committing to the Health, Work and Well-being strategy that aims to deliver a healthier future for working-age people.
The newly appointed National Director for Health and Work will guide the strategy forward.

Comment:
"The strategy is a crucial part of delivering on the Government's commitment to improving the health and well-being of the working age population, but the Government cannot achieve it alone. Just by being here today, everyone has shown they are committed to building a world which rehabilitates rather than rejects people when they experience illness or disability. But everyone will also be asked to sign a charter, formally committing them to making it happen." - Minister for Work and Pensions.
"We know that work can be good for your health and is essential to so many aspects of a person's life. Creating healthy working environments has huge implications for individuals, their families, employers and society as a whole.
We need to work together to improve health, reduce the ill health caused by work and support those wanting to return to work. This summit is the first step in achieving this goal." - Health Minister.
"More than 35 million days are lost each year to occupational ill health and injury, costing the economy an estimated £12 billion. The Health, Work and Well-being Strategy will reduce that cost by creating healthy workplaces.
A number of exciting initiatives make the strategy a reality including Workplace Health Connect - a route to information on occupational health, safety and return to work issues." - HSC Chair.