The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s most recent annual absence survey revealed that stress is the most common cause of long-term absence for non-manual staff, cited by 44% of survey respondents. The guide is aimed at helping managers to gain a better understanding of what stress is and importantly, helping to enhance employee well-being. The focus of the guide is a positive and hands-on approach to improving the well-being of the workforce. 

The Health Service Ombudsman, Ann Abraham, has drawn attention to the need for independent clinical advice to be available to those managing the NHS complaints procedure.Reporting on 39 cases she investigated in the three months from April to July this year she also highlighted the issue of the medical care of people with a mental illness. She said complaints about the care of mentally ill people formed an increasing proportion of the cases looked into by her office. 

The Local Government Association has welcomed what it calls “the room to breathe” free from central government controls which councils have won for themselves.After extensive negotiations between the LGA and the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister a package of ‘freedoms and flexibilities’ has been launched alongside the publication of the Local Government Bill. The ODPM called it a ‘dramatic devolution of power to local government’.