Transforming Sickness Absence - Dr Bill Gunnyeon CBE

Session Outline: The publication of "Fitness for Work - the Government Response to Health at Work - and independent review of sickness absence" represents the next major milestone in the health and work agenda.  Building on the culture change that has taken place, this now introduces major system change which will transform sickness absence in Great Britain.  The session will look at plans for the implementation of the Health and Work Service and recent research on the Fit Note.

Session Leader: Dr Bill Gunnyeon CBE, FFOM, FRCP, FRCPE, FRCGP, DIH

Bill Gunnyeon has been Chief Medical Adviser and Director for Health and Wellbeing at the Department for Work and Pensions since June 2005. An experienced occupational physician, he has had a varied career in occupational health encompassing the Royal Air Force, the public sector and outsourced occupational health provision in the private sector, the latter in both clinical and business management roles.

A Past President of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and former Chair of the Association of Local Authority Medical Advisers, he has played a key role in the development and delivery of the Government’s Health, Work and Wellbeing strategy. He was responsible for leading the Government’s response to Dame Carol Black’s 2008 review; the subsequent programme of initiatives including the fit note and Fit for Work Service pilots, and was responsible for the preparation of the Government’s response to the recent independent Sickness Absence Review.