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A new scheme to help small and medium-sized businesses access health and wellbeing support has been launched in Wales.

Eight million pound is being provided by the Welsh Government over the next two years as part of its new In-Work Support Service.

It will provide free access to therapeutic support for employees of SMEs, those who are self-employed and third sector employees.

Support will be available to people who are absent or at risk of becoming absent from work with mental or physical ill-health.

Therapeutic support will be provided for common musculoskeletal conditions, including physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropody and podiatry. Mental health support will also be offered, including counselling and stress management.

It builds on a previous EU-funded service which operated in parts of north Wales and Swansea until last year.

The new scheme will operate across Wales and can potentially provide support for up to 7,000 people.

Lynne Neagle, the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for mental health and wellbeing, said: “Businesses increasingly appreciate the link between wellbeing and a happy and productive workforce, and the economic benefits that investing in activities which promote good health bring to a business or organisation.

“This new scheme will enable businesses who lack occupational health services of their own to access important support for their employees or themselves.

Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “As part of our work to reduce economic inactivity, we’re taking action to support people to stay in work and those further away from the labour market to find employment.

“This scheme will be crucial in helping prevent people from losing their job due to work-limiting health conditions and will help people remain in work or return to work sooner. This will be a real benefit to the employee, employer and the wider economy.”