Agenda item

Decision to Continue to Commission Work and Health Service

Decision:

13.1

The report is to seek a decision to re-commission a Work and Health Service. If there is a decision to continue to commission this work it will go out to procurement.

 

Work is a key determinant of good health. Good work contributes income, self esteem and opportunities to individuals and their families and is good for health. A healthy workforce is also a key asset for the economy.

 

The current Work and Health service supports approx. 1250 people per year with health conditions to stay in work or return to work after being off sick. The service supports job retention in the city and receives referrals from GPs and other health colleagues as well as voluntary sector organisations who support groups such as carers.

 

This is an existing service funded by the ring fenced Public Health Grant and already has budget allocated to it. This is not new spend and does not negatively affect the overall Council budget position.

 

 

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee Policy Committee agrees to commission the Work and Health service in line with this report, allowing a procurement process to start so that this service can continue to be delivered for the people of Sheffield.

 

 

13.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

13.3.1

To commission a Work and Health Service so that this service can continue to be provided in Sheffield to support individuals in Sheffield with health conditions to stay in employment.

 

 

13.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

13.4.1

Stop funding this service and use the funding for other public health related activities - The Public Health Grant does not fund any other employment and health related work. This aspect of the Grant funding is the most directly related to employment.

 

 

13.4.2

Stop funding this service and use the funding for other employment and health related public health work – the Work and Health Service fills a key gap in the city which is supporting people with health conditions to stay in work (job retention). Other potential areas for funding relate to getting people into work where there are existing funding already being provided to a range of partners in the city.

 

 

13.4.3

Deliver in house - Sheffield City Council do not have the skills or networks to be able to deliver occupational health support to people with health conditions.

 

 

(NOTE: The decision relating to commissioning Work and Health Service was taken as an urgent item of business at the meeting.)

 

Minutes:

12.1

The report is to seek a decision to re-commission a Work and Health Service. If there is a decision to continue to commission this work it will go out to procurement.

 

Work is a key determinant of good health. Good work contributes income, self esteem and opportunities to individuals and their families and is good for health. A healthy workforce is also a key asset for the economy.

 

The current Work and Health service supports approx. 1250 people per year with health conditions to stay in work or return to work after being off sick. The service supports job retention in the city and receives referrals from GPs and other health colleagues as well as voluntary sector organisations who support groups such as carers.

 

This is an existing service funded by the ring fenced Public Health Grant and already has budget allocated to it. This is not new spend and does not negatively affect the overall Council budget position.

 

 

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee Policy Committee agrees to commission the Work and Health service in line with this report, allowing a procurement process to start so that this service can continue to be delivered for the people of Sheffield.

 

 

12.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

12.3.1

To commission a Work and Health Service so that this service can continue to be provided in Sheffield to support individuals in Sheffield with health conditions to stay in employment.

 

 

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

12.4.1

Stop funding this service and use the funding for other public health related activities - The Public Health Grant does not fund any other employment and health related work. This aspect of the Grant funding is the most directly related to employment.

 

 

12.4.2

Stop funding this service and use the funding for other employment and health related public health work – the Work and Health Service fills a key gap in the city which is supporting people with health conditions to stay in work (job retention). Other potential areas for funding relate to getting people into work where there are existing funding already being provided to a range of partners in the city.

 

 

12.4.3

Deliver in house - Sheffield City Council do not have the skills or networks to be able to deliver occupational health support to people with health conditions.

 

 

(NOTE: In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 26 this urgent Item of business was considered on the recommendation of the Chair, on the

basis that the Council must agrees to commission the Work and Health service to allow a procurement process to start so that this service can continue to be delivered for the people of Sheffield. It was not possible in the time available to give appropriate notice, and it was considered that the Council would not be able to begin the procurement process in time if not considered at this meeting).

 

 

Supporting documents: