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By SUNITA RAPPAI
 

Margaret Hodge speaks to Dr Philip Posner
Minister praises docs who help sick to work

Margaret Hodge praises James Wigg Practice’s project during visit

EMPLOYMENT Minister Margaret Hodge visited the James Wigg Practice in Bartholomew Road on Thursday where a scheme has cut incapacity benefit claims by offering employment advice.
The James Wigg scheme, funded by the London Development Agency (LDA), was set up as a pilot by employment charity Tomorrow’s People in 2001.
Ms Hodge said: “What we want to do is get people back into good health. I think schemes like this are the future of healthcare. We have some interesting plans. But getting it right is difficult.”
Under the scheme, doctors refer patients to employment adviser Faruk Noor, who gives them an hour-long confidence-boosting session.
Mr Noor said: “It’s only a small percentage that play the system. Most people I see genuinely want help. I’ve not done my job until I’ve got people motivated.”
Organisers claim Mr Noor has halved incapacity benefit claims from patients, boasting an 87 per cent success rate in getting patients back to work.
The figures have attracted the attention of Ms Hodge who is trying to rid Britain of its “sick-note culture” by introducing a new scheme that rewards people who actively look for work.
She listened to pleas from the charity waiting on a LDA decision on whether they can continue the £50,000-a-year service.
Ms Hodge described the scheme as “not the cheapest end of the market.”
But Dr Philip Posner, who has worked at the surgery for 13 years, said that Mr Noor should be able to spend more time helping patients.
He said: “Everyday we see how social situations impact on people’s health. Employment decreases stress. We only get 10 minutes to see patients. It’s just great to have another option.”

•MS Hodge backed the decision to close the Jamestown day centre in Adelaide Road during her visit.
She told the New Journal: “I agree with the closure of day centres. People say they don’t want to go back to work, but that is down to a lack of confidence. I think underneath they want to work”.
 
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