James Purnell, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, today visited Flagg Court Primary Care Centre in South Shields to see how the government's Pathways to Work programme is helping to get people off
incapacity benefits.

The scheme involves Jobcentre Plus, the NHS and other specialists working together to provide a package of support to help South Tyneside's 10,000 long-term sick and disabled people into work.

As part of the programme a Jobcentre Plus adviser holds regular sessions at Flagg Court, providing one-to-one advice for patients who have been referred by their GP.

Mr Purnell, who is tipped as a future leader of the Labour Party, said:
"Gone are the days when writing a sick note is writing people off for life.

"It is important that people who could work, have the opportunity to do so – work gives people independence over their lives, and is the best route out of poverty.

"I am impressed by the success of the Pathways programme – it proves that with the right support we can make a difference even with long-term benefit claimants, which is a group of people usually considered harder to help."

Dr Johannes Dalhuijsen, GP with the Riverside practice in Flagg Court
Primary Care Centre, said: "We know there are many health benefits to working.

"It is good for your physical and mental heath - improving confidence, bringing you in contact with other people and improving your overall well-being.

"Through the scheme we're also able to help people learn to manage their
own conditions, which is a good thing, as it puts them in more control of their lives."

Mr Purnell met Gary King of South Shields, one of 40 people participating in the scheme at Flagg Court.

He worked as a librarian for 18 years, but was forced to give up his job and claim incapacity benefit four years ago due to back problems and depression.

His GP suggested he meet with Pathways to Work adviser Dawn Marshall, who referred him for further specialist support, and helped him find a temporary administrative job to help him get used to working again.

Mr King said: "Meeting Dawn has changed my life.I am now applying for lots of jobs, but without her help and advice, I would still be on benefits.

"She helped me to move my life forward, taking one step at a time.

"I have already applied for over 20 jobs, and the temporary administration job I have now will be good experience to put on my CV."

People from South Tyneside and Gateshead were among those from seven areas of the UK to participate in a pilot of Pathways to Work in 2004, which was available across the whole of the region by 2006.

This has so far helped more than 8,000 long-term sick and disabled people from the North East into jobs, and was made available across the UK from April 2008.