Mims Davies MP, and Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, spoke in Westminster Hall today on musculoskeletal conditions & employment.
Mims speaks on the importance to:
start, stay and succeed in work.
The umbrella term musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions covers a wide range of short- and long-term health conditions affecting the:
- Joints
- Bones
- Muscles
- Associated body tissues - including types of arthritis, osteoporosis or back and neck pain.
Different types of MSK conditions have different causes. Some MSK conditions result from injury and repetition of certain movements, especially those associated with particular working practices. Some auto-immune or inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause MSK symptoms.
In its 2021 report on work-related musculoskeletal disorders, HSE suggested that work-related musculoskeletal disorders are associated with work patterns which include the following:
- Fixed or constrained body positions.
- Continual repetition of movements.
- Force concentrated on small parts of the body such as the hand or wrist.
- A pace of work that does not allow sufficient recovery between movements.
According to HSE, musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 6.6 million days lost due to work-related ill health in 2022/23, out of a total of 35.2 million lost days in Great Britain. Musculoskeletal disorders were the 2nd highest cause of days lost, after ‘stress, depression or anxiety'.
Access to Work can help individuals get or stay in work if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability. The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
- a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
- support with managing your mental health at work
- money to pay for communication support at job interviews
