Keep Britain Working: Final Report
7 November 2025
This week saw the Department of Work and Pensions publish this report following the review into ill-health and disability in the workplace, led by Sir
Welcome to Shandwell - Strategic Health and Wellbeing
Hello.
I’m John Picken and thank you for visiting the Shandwell website.
Shandwell’s purpose is to help make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the working age population.
The demographics of this population are changing as is the understanding that physical and mental health are intrinsically linked. To address these changes and associated risks effectively, there needs to be much greater emphasis on education, prevention and early intervention.
I hope you find what you read here interesting and useful. If you have any comments or ideas, I’d be very pleased to hear from you.
“John's in-depth knowledge and experience of the issues employers face in the Health and Wellbeing arena were instrumental in helping us with key elements of our strategic decision making.”
“John was commissioned by the regional public health community in the East Midlands to engage the Private Sector in work to reduce the rising obesity levels in the region. He successfully employed his powers of negotiation, persuasion and tenacity to exceed his target. His ability to understand the agenda from a public and private sector perspective was key to his success."
“As part of our Well Flourishing People programme, John has engaged our senior leaders in a thought provoking way with his extensive knowledge of the wellbeing market place and public health agenda.”
Patient Reviews of Clinicians
22 October 2025
Is there anything that we now pay for that doesn’t ask for a detailed review of a purchase or use of a service? I have
Top 3 Causes of Long Term Absence
14 September 2025
On the back of the recently published CIPD / Simplyhealth report, I’ve done a quick trend analysis over the last three reports – see below.
ieso in The HR Press
6 August 2025
If you click on this link, theHRDIRECTOR_249 JULY – DIGITAL LR-A you will be able to read an article by Nic Smeeth, Clinical Director at
Mental Health in the HR Profession
20 June 2025
I’ve written previously about what I think is the biggest ever survey on the mental health of HR professionals in the UK. Over 1,400 respondents.
thiscanhappen
16 June 2025
Last week I was very pleased to be invited by Zoe Sinclair to her latest thiscanhappen conference in London. It was such a professionally run