The experimental figures presented in this first annual report provide a picture of activity in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services and the people that use them in 2012/13.   The IAPT programme is designed to provide services for those suffering from anxiety and depression disorders and the purpose of the IAPT dataset is to support reporting on the treatment of these individuals, although locally IAPT services may also have expanded to treat other psychological disorders. 

Here are a few of the key facts:

More than four-fifths of UK HR managers have given a vote of no confidence to the government's proposed health and work assessment and advisory service (HWAAS), research has revealed.

The scheme, due to be introduced next year, aims to provide advice and support to employers dealing with employees suffering from long-term sickness absence.

Disabled people are moving into jobs, training or work placements at a rate of more than 100 placements every working day, as part of the government’s drive to help more disabled people into work.  

VRA Trustee Dr Rob Hampton has published a very interesting article in Pain News the journal of the British Pain Society.  In it he describes the work the Leicester Fit for Work team, a VRA member, have done to support people for whom chronic pain is a barrier to employment and particularly long term benefit claimants.

The Leicestershire Fit for Work data showed 1 in 4 people cited chronic pain as a significant barrier to work and a third of these people finding that ‘a better understanding of my pain’ was a significant factor in helping them return to work.

In 2011 Government commissioned a review of sickness absence. One of the recommendations, which was agreed, is the creation of a ‘Health and Work Assessment and Advisory Service’ (now called the Health and Work Service, HWS).

The HWS will make independent expert health and work advice more widely available to GPs, employees, and employers. It will be introduced this year.

People who suffer with chronic musculoskeletal pain face a daily struggle with their sense of self and find it difficult to prove the legitimacy of their condition.

A new study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research's Health Services and Delivery Research (HS&DR) Programme, systematically searches for, and makes sense of, the growing body of qualitative research on musculoskeletal pain to help understand the experiences of patients suffering from chronic pain.

Employment growth looks set to continue through 2014, with even upwards-revised OBR forecasts of increases in employment and falls in unemployment looking conservative, according to Mark Beatson, chief economist at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development.  However, with employment now having exceeded expectations for two consecutive years, he warns that 2014 needs to be a "year of productivity" if we are to see wages rising faster than prices.

In his annual analysis of the labour market for the year ahead, Mark Beatson highlights:

Many people start the New Year wanting to change and become healthier but they are often unsupported, and struggle to stick to their resolutions. The guidance from NICE will help health services and local authorities make the most of their resources to promote a culture of health in their areas using the evidence about what works - and what helps people to make those changes permanent.