Empowering local players in improving workforce health

摘要

The "localism" agenda of the coalition government failed to deliver on its considerable potential to improve the health of the working population, according to a study from Lancaster University's Work Foundation. The policy paper recognises that there are pockets of good practice but concludes that, despite being well placed to drive workforce health improvements, organisations such as Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) (see box 1) are failing to secure progress. To address this and maximise the ability of local organisations in England to contribute to, and coordinate, initiatives on workforce health, The Work Foundation is urging the new Conservative government to provide local policymakers and health organisations with clearer priorities, roles and responsibilities in this area. The Work Foundation's white paper argues that even where local bodies are prioritising health and wellbeing, the government is failing to give them sufficient funding, incentive or guidance.