WorkWell programme to tackle health-related employment barriers in Sussex

A deep dive discovery project into three Sussex areas has laid the foundations for a programme to improve the region’s health and employment outcomes.

The WorkWell programme reflects government ambitions to shift care from hospitals to communities, strengthen prevention, and join up health and employment services. It is delivered by NHS Sussex in partnership with Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex.

WorkWell focuses on musculoskeletal and mental health conditions, two of the most common causes of long-term sickness and unemployment. It aims to promote early intervention and closer integration of health, care and employment support.

Local employment challenges

To prepare for WorkWell’s introduction, Health Innovation KSS conducted a deep dive review of Hastings, East Brighton and Crawley, sites which have higher indicators of health-related unemployment and need.

It completed more than 80 interviews with people with lived experience, staff from publicly funded and community groups that offer employment support, and those working in health and care.

The challenges revealed included long waiting times, digital exclusion, fragmented referral pathways, lack of cultural nuance, and variable employer support. It also highlighted the need for greater clarity among primary care staff about local employment support offers.

Rebecca Sharp, Associate Director at Health Innovation KSS –

“With thanks to all participants who generously shared their time and insights, we identified key recommendations to support the mobilisation of WorkWell in Sussex. These include embedding services in trusted community settings and leveraging VCSE networks to build engagement, alongside integrating the fit note process into referral pathways. We look forward to seeing the impact of the WorkWell initiatives in East Brighton, Crawley, and Hastings.”

Strong local services can be linked together more effectively

The review identified strong local services that could be linked together more effectively, and recommended more coordinated, person-centred care models at neighbourhood level, including embedding the fit note process into referral pathways so that people struggling at work because of poor health can be supported sooner.

WorkWell to mobilise in Hastings, Crawley and East Brighton

The detailed picture of each transformation site will now inform WorkWell’s mobilisation in Hastings, Crawley, and East Brighton.

Progress across the transformation sites will be evaluated before a potential rollout across other neighbourhoods in Sussex.

Dr Vandana Verma, Clinical Director, Deans and Central Brighton PCN –

“By strengthening integration between primary care, community services, and employment support, and addressing system level issues like fragmented referrals, we aim to create preventative, person centred pathways. This is about empowering individuals to shift mindsets, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward healthier, more secure futures in a community that has too often been underserved.”

 

Read the discovery report

Also featured on BBC News – find out more here.