Can I suggest to you all that you don't stop at physiotherapy. We have an
active rehab programme which involves physio and a pilates style course for
those with previous back problems so that they can correct postural
imbalances, strengthen core muscles and reduce the risk of long term
recurring back problems.
The evidence is in the Faculaty of Occ Medicine's Occupational Health
Guidance for the Management of Low Back Pain at Work - I think its online on
the FOM website.
Our programme has been working for 10 months now and verbal feedback is
excellant. We are using the Rowland and Morris disability questionnaire,
Yellow Flags for pre and post course assessment, monitoring sickiness
absence stats, and individual feedback as evaluation.
I need to drop my musculo-skeletal sickness absence by 7% to cover the costs
of the programme.
Amanda
-----Original Message-----
From: Jay Chapman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 July 2003 08:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Physiotherapy Business Proposal
Hi, could I also have a copy of your paper? I am in the midst of forming a
proposal and feel like I'm floating around in mud. I should be most
grateful for any help available.
Jay Chapman
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lindsey Hall" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 6:32 PM
Subject: Re: Physiotherapy Business Proposal
> Greta,
>
> You are right about counselling services being exempt. My understanding
is
> that - after much wrangling and naval gazing - counselling services were
> considered 'welfare services' and therefore exempt from tax. The
heightened
> sensitivities about confidentiality and counselling probably also had a
part
> to play. Physiotherapy is regarded as 'medical treatment' and therefore
is
> a taxable benefit unless the reason for the physiotherapy is specifically
> related to work
>
> Lindsey
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Greta Thornbory" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 9:27 AM
> Subject: Re: Physiotherapy Business Proposal
>
>
> > I believe, if I am not mistaken that a similar situation occurred with
the
> > Inland Revenue regarding counselling! They tried to get employers to
find
> > out whether the counselling was due to 'work related' or 'personal'
> problems
> > so that they could apply appropriate tax on non work related problems.
> > Perhaps the TUC, RCN or one of the unions could comment here as to what
> > ultimately happened but I think it was a question that whether resulting
> > from work or not it affected work/performance and therefore it was not
> > taxable as this was not a benefit!
> >
> > Greta Thornbory
> > Consultant, Occupational health and education
> > www.gtentreprises-uk.com
> > Phone: 01235 770156
> > Mobile: 0777 815 027
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Lindsey Hall <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 1:05 PM
> > Subject: Re: Physiotherapy Business Proposal
> >
> >
> > > We are in the process of doing this having just run a years trial in
> part
> > of
> > > the organisation. You will need good data to start with particularly
> > > relating to Musculo skeletal absence and the length of time people are
> > off.
> > > Then you will need the costs of providing the service from whoever you
> > > choose to provide it. Then the cost of time of your workforce. If
you
> do
> > > not do this you will need to base your business case on time saved,
days
> > > made available to the business etc. You will need to have a good
> estimate
> > > of the time saved by providing the physiotherapy, but remember to cost
> in
> > > the time of employees being away from work while they have treatment.
A
> > lot
> > > of business cases leave this out.
> > >
> > > Finally you will need to consider the tax implications. Physiotherapy
> for
> > > non work related conditions is a taxable benefit, even though it is
cost
> > > effective to provide and bring people back to work sooner - or prevent
> > > absence in the first place. If your organisation decides to pay the
> tax,
> > > then that in itself is a taxable benefit and subject to more tax. -
> potty
> > I
> > > know, especially given the Governments drive on OH issues but you
would
> do
> > > well to sort this out first. Some organisations seem to get away with
> > this
> > > if they have an understanding tax office. We have had problems.
> Perhaps
> > it
> > > is being a Govt organisation that needs to be seen to be whiter than
> > white!
> > > If you differentiate between paying the tax for work related problems
> and
> > > asking employees with non work related problems to pay their own, then
> the
> > > inevitable happens and you will end up with many claiming their
problem
> is
> > > work related when it was not which may give you all sorts of
liabilities
> > you
> > > do not want!
> > >
> > > In the end we found that providing physio to everyone regardless of
> cause
> > of
> > > injury was cost neutral. Good feelgood factor though. We are still
> > sorting
> > > out the details in relation to the tax and liability issues. The cost
> > > benefits seem to come from being reactive i.e. providing physio to
> > employees
> > > already off and bringing them back to work sooner. Providing to all
> means
> > > that you provide to many employees with minor conditions and twinges
> that
> > > would have got better without any form of intervention. This is our
> > > experience anyway. I can provide the full paper if you wish.
> > >
> > > Lindsey Hall
> > > National OH Manager
> > > Environment Agency
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Sue Mclaren" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > > Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 11:03 AM
> > > Subject: Physiotherapy Business Proposal
> > >
> > >
> > > > I am attempting to formulate a business proposal for the
introduction
> of
> > a
> > > > physiotherapy service into the OH services section of the company I
> work
> > > > for. If list members could guide me as to what I need to consider or
> > point
> > > > me in the right direction towards useful links, I would be extremly
> > > > grateful. Kind regards, Sue Mclaren
> >
> >
> > ---
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