The UK government has launched a £1 million fund aimed at improving the health and welfare of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the self-employed.
The Fund to Stimulate Innovation in Occupational Health competition, run by Innovate UK in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Health and Social Care, will provide up to £100,000 for successful projects. The competition, which runs from 30 January 2023 to 15 March 2023, will focus on research and development aimed at increasing access to and capacity in Occupational Health services.
The government is looking for innovative solutions that will improve access to Occupational Health services for SMEs and the self-employed, including new ways of delivering services and harnessing technology, such as artificial intelligence and data collection, to improve health outcomes for employees. Larger employers often have better access to Occupational Health services, but the lack of support for people with health needs in smaller businesses and among the self-employed can lead to greater economic inactivity.
Applications can come from business, research organizations, research and technology organizations, or the third sector, and will be evaluated based on their ability to deliver improvements in Occupational Health, discover innovative ways to deliver services, and deliver scalable innovations through new services and better technology.
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said, "Good occupational health within workplaces is vital in supporting our overall health and standard of living. We spend so much of our lives at work, and it is imperative that our employers can give us the support we need to maintain our physical and mental health. This in turn means we can give our best at work."
Minister for Care, Helen Whately, added, "This new £1 million fund will help us find better ways to support the health of our workforce – especially looking at small businesses and the self-employed. Making sure people stay well enough to work is so important – it means a bigger workforce, boosted productivity, and better quality of living."
The Fund to Stimulate Innovation in Occupational Health competition will be delivered in the form of a Small Business Research Initiative, a well-established, output-driven funding tool run by Innovate UK. More information on the fund and how to apply can be found at the official website. The government hopes that successful projects will result in healthier, welfare-driven working environments that will drive growth and improve people's working lives.
Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash
