Healthy Working Life - Bradford District and Craven

People who work in health and social care in Bradford District and Craven can access the following free treatments and therapies to help them get back to work:

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physio Service: provides quick access to physiotherapy for those suffering from back, neck pain, limb problems (MSK).

Occupational health support: provides support for people working in health and social care to help them manage their existing health issues (which may have been caused by mental health or a physical illness, or an accident) that may be preventing them from carrying out their everyday tasks and be able to function within the workplace.

Talking Therapies for emotional support: provides emotional support for people experiencing depression, stress, anxiety, trauma, panic attacks, current and past abuse, self-harm, bereavement, loss, low confidence and self-esteem.

The Enabling Pathways to Work and Wellness Service: provides physiotherapy, occupational therapy and workplace support for people experiencing health related challenges that affect their ability to work.

Help for people currently in work looking for support to remain well in work; those currently absent from work; or for anyone returning after a period of absence.

The Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physio service is designed to get people who work in health and social care roles and have MSK or back related issues, quick and fast access to a course of physiotherapy services.

A virtual appointment will be offered initially to discuss symptoms and provide an assessment to ensure the service can meet the individual’s needs.

The individual will then be able to access a course of physiotherapy (up to three appointments depending on progress and individual circumstances). These appointments will take place at Airedale Hospital at a time or date that is convenient.

The physiotherapy service runs Monday- Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Referral criteria

To access this service you must:

• Be working within the Health & Social Care sector within Bradford district and Craven.
• Be experiencing MSK or back related issues that are impacting your ability to function at work.
• Not already be under the care of a GP or specialist service for your current MSK or back related issue.

Who can make referrals to this service?

• Individuals can refer themselves directly to the service.
• Line Managers of individuals who meet the above criteria can also refer into this service.
• Occupational Health practitioners who work with individuals, who are experiencing long term (3 weeks or more) absence or persistent short-term absence from work due to reasons related to MSK or back related issues. Or people who are currently at work but are experiencing MSK or back issues which are impacting upon their performance.

This service will start accepting referrals at the end of August 2025.

The Occupational health service supports people working in health and social care, (who may be recovering from an illness or operation or suffer from a long-term condition or mental health condition) manage their health issues which may be preventing them from carrying out everyday tasks and be able to function within the workplace.

An effective occupational health programme can reduce costs associated with staff absence and sickness, offer professional and independent advice, and provide reinforcement of current procedures.

Support details

Occupational Health referrals are ideal for employees who are experiencing long-term (3 weeks or more) or persistent short-term sickness absence. Upon referring, a virtual appointment will be arranged with an Occupational Health clinician which will discuss an employee’s medical fitness to work, help identify any underlying reasons for absence and provide an anticipated return to work date as well as identifying any potential adjustments to working practices.

After the appointment, the manager will receive a report detailing the clinician’s findings and be offered a 30 minute follow up call if required to discuss next steps and how best to support the employee in the workplace.

Referral criteria

Managers can refer their employees into this service.

Health and social care employees must be:

• Working within the Health & Social Care sector within Bradford district and Craven.
• Experiencing long-term or persistent short-term sickness absence.

• Working towards a return to work (or wishing to remain in work).

As a manager you may wish to refer employees who are experiencing long-term (3 weeks or more) or persistent short-term absence from work.

Talking therapies provides a person-centred, culturally sensitive, therapeutic service to help the individual become emotionally and psychologically well. This is done by working with the individual to explore and develop a range of coping mechanisms to overcome emotional challenges.

These can be:

• Bereavement and loss
• Current and past abuse(s)
• Depression, stress or anxiety
• Trauma
• Panic attacks
• Difficult changes and transitions
• Low confidence and self-esteem
• Self-harm
• Relationship difficulties
• Work problems
• An inability to cope and other issues leading to harm and/or distress to the individual and those around them.

The therapist will work with the individual to develop a safe working relationship of mutual respect and will listen empathically, without judgement or criticism. They will help individuals to work through their experiences and perceptions and gain a better understanding of their feelings and thought processes.

Support details

Upon contacting the service, an assessment appointment will be offered to ensure the service will meet the individual’s needs. (If this service is not right for the individual, they will be signposted to more appropriate services).

The individual will be contacted when a therapist is available and will then be able to arrange a preferred time, day and location for their sessions, with the option of meeting virtually.

Sessions normally last 50 minutes and individuals will usually receive between 6-12 free sessions, depending on their circumstances.

Referral criteria

To access this service, individuals must be:

• Working within the Health & Social Care sector within Bradford district and Craven.
• Experiencing emotional health issues that are impacting their ability to work.

Who can make referrals to this service?

• Individuals can refer themselves directly to this service.
• Line Managers of individuals who meet the above criteria can also refer into this service.
• Occupational Health practitioners who work with individuals who are experiencing long-term (3 weeks or more) absence or persistent short-term absence from work due to reasons related to emotional health. Or people (working in health and social care) who have shared that they are struggling with their emotional health.

To refer to this service, please complete the referral form found on the Cellar Trust therapies website. 

• Or phone on 01274 733 080
• Or email admin@thecellartrust.org

This service provides the individual with a personalised, 12-week programme comprising of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, educational workshops and physical activity. It supports those working in health and social care, who are experiencing health related challenges that affect their ability to work.

This therapy service is suitable for people experiencing:

• A health condition impacting work performance or attendance to work
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions (back/neck pain, limb problems)
• Mild mental health conditions (work-related stress, anxiety, low mood)
• Mild physical health conditions impacting work capacity
• Long-term health conditions requiring workplace adjustments
• Persistent pain that affects the individual’s ability to work

Referral criteria

To access this service, the individual must be:

• Employed within the Health & Social Care sector within Bradford district and Craven and working full-time, part-time, or on a zero-hours contract.
• Currently off work for less than 3 months
• Currently in work with frequent recurring periods of short-term sickness absence that relates to an underlying health condition.
• Aged 16 years and over (please note anyone aged between 16-18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, under the University of Bradford’s safeguarding policy).
• Able to attend regular, in-person appointments over the 12-week programme.
• Motivated to engage with the return-to-work process with realistic return to work goals within the programme time-frame.
• Willing to commit to regular attendance over the 12-week programme.
• Willing to participate in both the exercise and educational programme components.

The employer must also be willing to support the individual to participate regularly in attending the 12-week programme if the employee is in work.

All individuals must have sufficient English language skills to engage with the programme content.

Who can make referrals to this service?

• Individuals can refer themselves directly to this service.
• Line Manager referral (with staff consent)
• Occupational Health practitioners can also signpost suitable individuals to this service

Details of the service

The 12-week structured programme combines educational, interactive and practical components, including;

• A comprehensive assessment of physical and occupational health needs
• Personalised exercise prescription and physical rehabilitation
• Occupational therapy assessment of work demands
• Interactive workshops on pain management, stress reduction and work-life balance
• Hands-on training in ergonomics and body mechanics for workplace tasks
• Support with employer communication and workplace adjustments
• Self-management strategies for long-term health conditions
• Graduated return to work planning and implementation support
• Regular progress monitoring with validated outcome measures
• Support with employer communication and workplace adjustments

The structured programme will be based upon the following:

1. Foundation phase: weeks 1-3
   • Individual comprehensive assessment of physical and occupational health needs including occupational therapy assessment of work demands.
   • Individualised goal setting
   • Interactive educational workshops (see section 7)
   • Personalised exercise prescription and physical rehabilitation
2. Progression phase: weeks 4-10
   • Interactive educational workshops (see section 7)
   • Progression of fundamental movement and value-based activities (see section 7)
   • Development of self-management strategies for health and wellbeing
   • Hands-on training in ergonomics and body mechanics for workplace tasks
   • Individual interventions if indicated through phase 1
3. Transition phase: weeks 11-12
   • Graduated return to work planning and implementation support
   • Support with employer communication and workplace adjustments
4. Regular progress monitoring with validated outcome measures throughout the programme.

To refer to this service please email: Pathways-to-wellness@bradford.ac.uk

Or phone the University of Bradford Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation clinic telephone number on 01274 236324.