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NHS offers OH services to SMEs

Published On 14 May 2007 at 15:44:58

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in five areas across the country will be able to get advice and help from the NHS over health and safety issues in the workplace.

Under the new scheme, which was launched on May 11th, projects located in Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, London and Hampshire will share £10 million of funding designed to provide better occupational health services (OH) for local businesses.

"The funding of these schemes highlights the importance of occupational health services and their important role in supporting health, safety and well being in both the workforce and the community," said health minister Rosie Winterton.

Dr Kit Harling, the director of NHS Plus, added: "Occupational health services are based on the teamwork of a range of health and safety professionals.

"This will benefit small and medium-size enterprises, their staff, and the NHS."

Groups which represent the interests of SMEs also welcomed the move. A spokesperson for the Forum of Private Businesses said: "This announcement of a new capital fund to help develop centres of occupational health excellence directed at serving smaller business is a positive development which we very much welcome."

According to the Health and Safety Executive, over three million work days were lost in 2005/06 due to work-related sickness or injuries.

 

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