Research and analysis

Fit for Work: exploring future GP referrals

This research builds understanding of GPs’ likely referrals to the new Fit for Work service to help inform the design of the service.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 10 October 2014

Documents

Exploring future GP referral to Fit for Work

Ref: ISBN 978 1 910219 45 4, RR883

PDF, 626 KB, 45 pages

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Summary: Exploring future GP referral to Fit for Work

PDF, 276 KB, 4 pages

Details

A new Fit for Work service is starting in 2014. It will provide health and work advice and support for employees, employers and GPs to help people with a health condition stay in or return to work. One of the main ways in which employees will be able to use the new service is by being referred by their GP. DWP commissioned this research to help inform the design of the new service by gaining an understanding of GPs’ likely referral rates to Fit for Work.

This report:

• explores GPs’ views on Fit for Work
• provides an estimate of the likely rate of referral by GPs to the new service
• identifies the factors affecting referrals

The findings of this research have informed the communication and engagement strategy for Fit for Work. They support the contractual approach used in procuring the service supplier.

Authors: Jim Hillage, Gill Brown (Institute for Employment Studies), Chris Shiels and Mark Gabbay (University of Liverpool)

Published 10 October 2014