NGPS are now running bi-monthly Community Assessment Days (CADs) as part of the Work Well Programme across Newcastle and Gateshead. The criteria for Work Well is as follows:
WorkWell Eligibility Criteria
A person is eligible for Work Well if they meet all the following criteria:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Live in a Newcastle postcode
- Are eligible to work in the UK
In addition, they must have a health condition that is affecting their ability to work. This may include people who are:
- In work (employed or self-employed) but struggling to remain in work due to their health
- Currently off sick or absent from work due to their health
- Recently unemployed (within the last 6 months) due to their health
Any GP practice staff can refer into Work Well.
Patients can expect to be seen initially by employment support advisers at Work and Thrive and then will be triaged where appropriate into services that can support them with mental health difficulties (with dedicated appointments at Vita Health), or MSK conditions (CAD Sessions provided by NGPS) that may be causing barriers to work.
For patients who do have MSK related barriers to work, NGPS CADs offer a chance for patients to see a Physio, an Occupational Therapist and a Social Prescriber all in one day, in a community venue close to them. There will be CAD sessions in each Primary Care Network to ensure we offer city wide coverage to patients. The CAD sessions aim to offer a personal assessment and on the day advice and support around managing MSK conditions as well as ensuring patients have advice and guidance to promote a safe and comfortable workspace. There is currently no waiting list, and the team at NGPS are able to process referrals quickly to ensure patients are seen.
NGPS will receive referrals from Work and Thrive, however practices can note in the Work Well referral form that they feel CAD would be the most appropriate support to help with a timely referral into our service.
If anyone has any questions, please contact our CAD Coordinator Pooja at pooja.bhardwaj@nhs.net.