Why am I being referred for an occupational health assessment?
Your line manager will have already spoken with you about your referral for an occupational health assessment.
They will send us a completed referral form telling us about your role, any workplace issues or other factors including any absence.
You have a right to see this referral form and if you would like to do so just ask your line manager for a copy.
Who will my appointment be with?
Once we receive the referral, we will contact you directly by email to arrange an appointment with one of our occupational health clinicians. This could be a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist, depending on the nature of the referral.
What happens at the consultation?
In the consultation you will be assessed by one of our clinical team. They will ask you questions about the referral from your manager and about your general health and wellbeing. They may also ask about your home circumstances if relevant to the referral.
The clinician will work with you to develop a plan to support you and signpost you to appropriate services that may be helpful.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will discuss a report they will write addressed to your manager which will also be sent to you and your HR officer. They will ask for your consent to send the report during the consultation or ask whether you would like to review the report before it is sent to your manager.
Your appointment could be by telephone or face-to-face. If it is face-to-face, it will take place at Regent Point, the Royal Victoria Infirmary or the Freeman Hospital.
There are good public transport links by bus and Metro. However, if you are concerned about travelling to your appointment, please contact us and we can provide further advice. Plan your journey so you are not rushed.
It would be helpful to bring details of any medication you are taking, your GP’s details, and copies of any relevant medical correspondence. The team member will talk with you regarding your health and how this could impact upon you carrying out your role at work.
An independent consultation provides you with the opportunity to talk to a professional about any concerns you may have about your work and health relationship.
What is the purpose of the consultation?
We’re here to gain relevant information so that we can provide your manager with an accurate, independent, fair, concise and useful opinion on your fitness to do your job.
What about confidentiality?
Occupational health appointments are confidential. This means that what is discussed during the appointment will not be shared with your manager, HR or any colleagues. The reports written to your manager are shared with your consent and contain minimal (if any) details of your medical condition. Instead, the report will focus on your function, fitness to work and providing recommendations on how managers can support you at work.
Anything you tell us will be treated with the strictest confidence unless it relates to the effect of your health on your work, or vice versa, or where it may have an impact on your safety or the safety of others.
Why can’t I see my GP instead?
Your GP is the expert for treating your illness, but occupational health physicians are more familiar with the workplace. They are trained in and experienced at understanding how your health can affect work, or vice versa. They can also suggest reasonable adjustments which may be appropriate to help support you. In some cases we may write to your GP (with your consent) to request further information.
What if I refuse to attend or just don’t turn up?
It is up to you whether you choose to engage with occupational health. It is worth noting that, if you choose not to engage with the service, your manager may need to make decisions without the benefit of an independent occupational health report.
What happens after the consultation?
If you give consent, the clinician will draft a report to your manager and HR officer which will then go through a proofing and approval process to ensure it meets quality standards.
We will then send the report to your manager, HR officer and to your specified email address at the same time. This is usually within 5 working days of the appointment.
If you requested “prior sight” of your report this will be sent to you initially so you can check that it is accurate and ensure you are happy with the contents. If you wanted to give feedback or if you are satisfied with the report, you can email the department.
What will the report include?
The report could include whether you have a medical problem which may affect your performance or attendance, when you may be able to return to work (if you’re currently off work), recommendations for a workplace adjustment plan or recommendations regarding other reasonable workplace adjustments.
Our team are occupational health experts and will give their professional view on whether employment tribunals may consider that the disability provisions of the Equality Act 2010 apply to your circumstances.
Any recommendations and advice we provide are given by occupational health specialists. Your manager will need to consider whether our suggestions are reasonable, practical and possible to implement.
