Website of the Department of Health

The strategy is all about taking action to deliver real change for the health and wellbeing of working age people. It has a number of aims including making sure the topic gets the attention it deserves, that work is recognised by all as important and beneficial and that healthcare services meet the needs of working age people.

The main themes are engaging stakeholders, improving working lives and healthcare for working age people.

To this end a timetable has been drawn up which will see the new director appointed as soon as possible and a stakeholder summit held early next year. The next step will be to publish a charter next Spring, which will include an action plan.

Patricia Hewitt said:

'We know that people in work have better health than those out of work and the Choosing Health White Paper made clear that work matters - it can improve your mental and physical health, reduce health inequalities and improve life chances for people and their families.

'This strategy is a crucial part of delivering on the Government's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the working age population, and will play a significant role in ensuring delivery of the workplace health commitments outlined in Choosing Health.  It will help break the cycle of deprivation, where poor health leads to unemployment and wasted lives as people fail to reach their full potential.'

• Read the strategy on the DWP website (opens new window)