Will the Minister outline whether people accessing long COVID services in Wales are offered return to work conversations with occupational health professionals?
Long COVID services in Wales are underpinned by an integrated, multi-professional recovery and rehabilitation service model. Occupational Health (OH) services, and those professionals who work in them, are part of a broader landscape of medical treatment and welfare support which help individuals manage a range of conditions, including long-COVID.
Employers are responsible for putting in place procedures when an employee is ready to return to work following a period of absence due to illness, and make reasonable adjustments to support their return. OH professionals are an important part of this.
As part of the integrated multi-professional approach some employees may need to support their return to work, particularly those with more complex needs, I would expect the range of services and agencies involved in supporting them to work in partnership. This would include those providing long COVID services where relevant.
We know this integrated multi-professional approach achieves the best outcomes for people, those with health, care and welfare needs returning to work are no exception, regardless of the reason for their absence from work.