DWP new plan for PIP claimants with three common conditions
DWP new plan for PIP claimants with three common conditions
This investment will allocate up to £300,000 to each locality in Wales and England
The scheme aligns with the Labour Government's Plan for Change
(Image: Getty )
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled a new initiative to fast-track treatment for individuals with back, joint, and muscle problems in regions with the longest waiting times for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. This is a key component of the UK Government's latest 'Get Britain Working' white paper.
Recent statistics from the DWP indicate that as of the end of January, over 1.1 million people in England and Wales were in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP). After this month's annual uprating, the value of a successful PIP claim now ranges from £116.80 to £749.80 per four-week payment cycle.
The Government is allocating a £3.5 million fund, to be shared among 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England, aimed at enhancing MSK services as part of its crusade against economic inactivity — where individuals are neither employed nor actively seeking employment.
This investment will allocate up to £300,000 to each locality in Wales and England targeting one of the principal causes of economic inactivity.
The scheme aligns with the Labour Government's Plan for Change, aspiring to "put more money into people's pockets and get the NHS back on its feet", reports the Daily Record.
The MSK Community Delivery Programme, overseen by NHS England's GIRFT programme, is set to equip ICBs with the necessary resources and guidance to streamline MSK patient treatment, reduce waiting times and assist patients' return to work.
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Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, recently remarked: "For too long people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working. It's stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential."
McGovern continued: "This multi-million-pound funding boost means musculoskeletal patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists and get Britain working again."
According to the UK Government, 2.8 million individuals are not working due to long-standing health conditions, with MSK being the second most cited reason after mental health.
Approximately 646,000 people, which equates to nearly one in four (23%), claim MSK as their chief health concern.
With waiting lists for MSK services forming the longest backlog in the community sector in England—standing at 348,799 individuals as of September 2024, and an estimated 23.4 million workdays lost due to MSK ailments in 2022—the push for improvement is imperative.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, recently remarked: "With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce.
"Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy."
In several of the 17 ICB locations leading the implementation of this initiative, NHS England's Further Faster 20 programme and the UK Government's newly unveiled WorkWell programme are also being conducted.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, commented: "With over 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including 10 million with arthritis, Versus Arthritis understands the devastating impact these conditions can have on working lives.
"Arthritis can cause debilitating pain, joint stiffness and prevent people doing everyday tasks, with work sometimes made to feel an impossible challenge.
"MSK Community Services can be an invaluable resource for people with arthritis, and we are delighted to see the launch of this programme in dedicated sites across England, and in the future across the whole country."
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The Government unveiled the Get Britain Working White Paper in November, marking the most significant overhaul of employment support in a generation. This initiative aims to integrate skills and health to increase employment rates and career progression.
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