Three NHS trials are launching in the coming months as part of a Government drive to get the long-term sick back to work.

The Health and Growth Accelerators in South Yorkshire, North East and North Cumbria, and West Yorkshire will look to boost people's health alongside tackling the conditions that most impact people's ability to work – ranging from cardiovascular problems and diabetes to back pain and mental health issues.

Minister of state for public health and prevention, Andrew Gwynne said: ‘Healthy businesses rely on a healthy workforce, and a strong economy relies on a strong NHS. By cutting waiting lists, improving access to mental health support and taking bold action on public health measures, we can support people to get back to health and back to work.

‘We have made a strong start by launching our £64m WorkWell pilot, which will connect 56,000 people to local support services including physiotherapy and counselling.

‘This trial, backed by £45m of Government funding, will accelerate this progress in areas with the highest level of economic inactivity, helping tackle health inequalities and supporting people to flourish.'

The initiative is also related to the NHS rollout of ‘crack teams' to the 20 trusts that serve areas with some of the highest levels of unemployment due to ill health, with expert clinicians advising on targeted measures to bring down waits.

These teams will expand the use of proven tools like more productive surgical hubs; high flow theatre lists to allow doctors to deliver more of the same operations in one day; targeted outpatient ‘super' clinics; and greater use of technology and AI. 

In line with the broader priority of shifting from treating sickness to prevention, the accelerators will work on preventing diseases that lead to people dropping out of work including diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. This could include more support for people to manage their blood pressure or diabetes, more action to find people at risk and supporting people to make lifestyle changes.

The accelerators will also test the use of digital tools to support mental health therapy sessions and musculoskeletal pain as well as potentially placing employment advisors into clinical pathways and in GP settings.

If the trials are successful in boosting health and impacting local employment, they could be rolled out by the NHS on a wider scale.