September 2009:

Fit for Work Ireland report was launched at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Early 2010:

Rheumatology becomes one of the clinical lead programmes of the HSE.

2010 (Date TBC):

As acceptance of the severe under resourcing in rheumatology, the HSE includes Rheumatology as one of the clinical programmes under their new approach to improving clinical care and quality. To this end, Prof. Oliver FitzGerald is appointed, National Clinical Lead for Rheumatology. Prof. Fitzgerald is consultant rheumatologist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital and chair of Arthritis Ireland. This is a milestone for Fit for Work as the program aims to develop care pathways and review resources to address the population health issue of musculoskeletal diseases.

2010 (Date TBC):

Funding was agreed for 24 physiotherapists to lead MSD early intervention clinics. 7 New consultant posts were approved throughout the year with some filled in 2011 and the balance due to be filled in 2012. 2 academic clinician posts, funded by Arthritis Ireland, were also approved and once in place will significantly improve the quality and time devoted to rheumatology teaching and research.

May 2010: 

Briefing Seminar for Oireachtas Members in the Dublin Office of the European Parliament.

Speakers included Jim Higgins MEP (Co-Chair of Special Interest Group on Arthritis of the European Parliament), John Church, CEO Arthritis Ireland and Prof. Geraldine McCarthy, Consultant Rheumatologist.

Attendees also included representatives of patient organisations, Abbott executives, TDs and Senators of all parties, senior departmental officials and members of the media

Jim Higgins Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West MEP (Co-Chair of Special Interest Group on Arthritis of the European Parliament) proposed a more holistic approach to tackling absenteeism in the workplace due to musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), and called for investigations to establish a National Framework on MSDs and Absenteeism.

May 2010:

Presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Leinster House.

Speakers included John Church, CEO Arthritis Ireland and Steve Bevan, The Work Foundation.

Members of the Committee engaged in a wide-ranging discussion and a questions and answers session on the Report’s findings. A full transcript of the proceedings can be accessed here (add link)

Early 2011:

Arthritis Ireland becomes part of the Clinical Pathways Group, where they hope to include work as part of the integrated care pathway

April 2011:

‘Keeping Ireland Fit’ Forum at Dublin Castle, hosted by Arthritis Ireland.

The aim of the forum was to engage with employers, employees with MSDs, healthcare professionals, union leaders and policy makers to develop a strategy in tackling the impact of MSDs in Ireland.

The lively forum was chaired by RTE broadcaster John Bowman and speakers included Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State for Disability, Equality & Mental Health, Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health & Work in the UK, Dr. Steve Boorman, Director of Health & Safety in Royal Mail, who spoke as one of the UK’s largest employers Richard Wynne, Work Research Centre Ireland and John Church, CEO Arthritis Ireland.

The day consisted of a series of panel discussion made up of a wide variety of stakeholders. 

April 2011:

Informal briefing of Joan Burton Minister for Social Protection by Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health & Work in the UK and John Church, CEO Arthritis Ireland.

Dame Carol Black briefed the Minister on the progress of the UK’s Fit For Work initiative, including measures introduced such as the ‘fit note’ to replace the ‘sick note’. A year after the launch of the ‘fit note’ in the UK, GPs agree that it has made a positive impact on the speed their patients are returning to work.

Minister Burton agreed that MSDs were indeed an issue for the health of our workforce and said consideration would be given to including this area in a sub-committee on Health & Work.

October 2011:

John Church, CEO of Arthritis Ireland is appointed as Fit for Work ambassador

October 2011:

John Church meets with the Junior Minister for Primary Care, Roisin Shortall to present the work of the Fit for Work program and seek her support. Minister Shortal was very supportive of the work and with responsibility for primary care, saw a big opportunity to develop improved patient care and exchequer savings.

October 2011:

Fit For Work Europe Annual Summit 2011

This is the 3rd annual meeting of the Fit for Work Europe Coalition, which aims to drive a coordinated action by EU and national authorities to better prevent and manage MSDs. Ireland was represented by Prof. Oliver FitzGerald, National Clinical Director for Rheumatology, who gave a presentation titled ‘Practical steps and solutions towards making MSDs a health and work priority at the national and EU levels’. We were also represented by John Church, CEO of Arthritis Ireland who took part in a panel discussion ‘Making Europe Fit for Work: What needs to be done to set up effective systems at national level?’

July 2012:

Launch of Fit for Work website

Date TBC:

MSD Awareness Day in Houses of the Oireachtas

Arthritis Ireland hosted an information and education day for all employees of the houses of the Oireachtas. The purpose was to highlight to the Irish Government the cost and the quality of life implications for those living with MSDs. A survey was also undertaken to determine the level of MSD and work absenteeism in the Oireachtas. (ref Ireland milestones doc from Brussels 2011)

On-going:

Work is continuing with government departments and the HSE on implementing the recommendations of the Report.

Plan to integrate patient self-management and Fit for Work into the Clinical Pathway

Ongoing requests to meet with the Minister for Social Protection to invite her to nominate a representative from her department to participate in the coalition

In the Future:

We will be launching a patient and employer web-based programme

We will be recruiting large employers to participate in delivering the programme to improve early detection and management