The Royal College of General Practitioners has attracted over 2,000 GPs to the National Education Programme Health and Work in General Practice. The workshops are Chaired by a local leader and delivered by a RCGP trained GP and specialist Occupational Health Physician.

The Health and Work workshops are being delivered through a series of interactive half day events throughout the UK, and offer recent evidence about work and health along with skills and strategies for managing difficult consultations including a short section about the new Fit Note.

There is considerable evidence that enabling people to return to work is good for their long term health.  Worklessness can cause poor health, however many patients require active support to be able to return to work or to continue working with a medical condition.

The purpose of this training is to increase the knowledge, skills and confidence of GPs in dealing with clinical issues relating to work and health; to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities in this area; and to signpost additional means of support which will enable them and their teams to be confident that they are providing the best possible patient care.

As it has been developed by GPs for GPs, those attending the workshops can be confident that they will come away with effective strategies for dealing with work related issues that they can then share among other members of the primary care team. 

Around 100 – 150 workshops will be delivered by the College’s local and regional Faculty offices over a two year period ending March 2011, and the Programme aims at providing training and support for between 3,000 and 4,500 GPs.

Upcoming 2010 Workshop dates are listed in the document below. To find the closest workshop to you, please visit the RCGP website.