DWP GP pilot is extended

A pilot which placed JobCentre 'employment advisers' in GP surgeries to help Statutory Sick Pay and incapacity benefit recipient is to be extended, the department for work and pensions has announced.

The pilot project which started in 2006 has been extended following a review by the DWP.

The project found that the work advisers actually reached a wider range of people, the majority of whom described the experience as helpful. The GPs welcomed the initiative but stressed the importance of work advisers being physically located in surgeries to help connect connect people with employment and other support services.