Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to inform and educate employers and occupational health professionals about the specific workplace adaptations that people with Hidradenitis suppurativa may require.

As set out in the Government response to the Occupational Health: Working Better consultation published last year, the Government will develop a voluntary minimum framework for quality occupational health, aiming to set out the minimum level of provision that employers can adopt to support those with health conditions and disabilities in the workplace. This builds on the development of a digital information and advice service for employers, offering tailored guidance on health and disability, to equip employers to have work and health conversations and signpost to sources of expert support. A copy of the Government response to the consultation is attached.

The Government also announced that it will identify longer-term options to build multidisciplinary workforce capability in work and health, building on existing work with the sector and exploring opportunities for businesses and providers to improve support for their employees. The Occupational Health Workforce Expansion Funding Scheme launched in July 2023 funds doctors and nurses to undertake occupational health training courses and qualifications with 99 doctors and nurses trained to date.