Long-term illness can often cause small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to go under. However, this can be helped with good after-care, according to one expert.

A spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said today that for many entrepreneurs stress, anxiety and depression can be a concern for those returning to their business following an illness.

Stephen Alambritis, head of public affairs at the FSB, said that the after-effects of some illnesses need to treated properly if SMEs are to have a "better chance of surviving".

"A lot of small businesses might go under simply because the boss isn't there, simply because the boss has a long-term illness," he said.

He added that it was unfair that entrepreneurs should experience such good service from the NHS only to return to work and find they have no support.

"By having a personal nurse advisor, a course of therapy, we know the entrepreneur will survive; we want their business to survive as well," he advised.

Mr Alambratis' comments come following the launch of the FSB's new service FSB Care which aims to support SMEs with information, support and medical help.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Lloyds promises to pass on rate cuts
• Chancellor urges support for businesses
• Redundancies 'can cost over £16,300' per worker
• Helpline for businesses launched
• Over third of small firms fear closure in 2009