Policy overview
Our occupational health service aims to ensure that:
- employees are medically suitable for their work
- the working environment is suitable for employees
This information sets out:
- the standards that staff are to expect from our occupational health provider
- the services available
Service standards
Occupational health is the area of health care that is concerned with the relationship between people’s health and their work. Its role is an advisory one. It is not:
- a substitute for a General Practitioner (GP)
- a treatment service for injury or illness
It provides advice on health issues of employees, which is:
- clear
- actionable
- business-focused
- timely
This will allow managers to:
- make informed decisions to balance the needs of the business, and at the same time
- make adjustments to support employees with health issues
This enables employees to remain at work and perform in their roles.
All consultations are treated in confidence. Medical information is only shared with the consent of the employee.
Principles
The service is provided by appropriately qualified or experienced staff.
Suitable equipment is provided along with convenient accommodation which is:
- separate from council premises
- fully accessible
- private
The occupational health service will maintain all administrative systems and records within Data Protection requirements. It will provide management information to support strategic planning and occupational health targets.
To enable strategic planning, the service will provide regular management information. This enables the identification of emerging health issues.
Occupational health will support with relevant policies and procedures. It will advise on changes to the relevant legislation.
The service will arrange regular contract review meetings with its staff and the council.
Services available
Core services
The services available from our occupational health provider follow a referral from the employees’ manager. They include:
- pre-employment fitness for work screening
- ill-health retirements, including deferred benefits
- medical referrals (for example, long-term sickness absence, advice on reasonable adjustments or following accident at work)
- injury award scheme referrals
-
medical advice regarding pensions and deferred benefits
- statutory health surveillance and screening
- specialist health surveillance
- health surveillance for night workers
- telephone advice and support
- medicals for vocational drivers
- requesting GP and consultant reports
Our occupational health provider will review all submitted health assessments. They will hold appointments before, and during, employment times where applicable. They will also manage all medical referrals, providing reports and advice when appropriate.
Appointments may be either face-to-face or by telephone.
Additional services requiring approval by HR
Occasional services will require additional approval from our occupational health client service manager. This is due to additional costs being incurred. Some examples of this include:
- cognitive behavioural therapy (subject to eligibility criteria)
- physiotherapy (subject to eligibility criteria)
- workplace assessments
- dyslexia assessments and dyslexia workplace assessments
- alcohol, drug and blood testing
- health promotion events
- immunisations and vaccinations
- home visits
- attendance at case conferences
- attendance at meetings by occupational health staff
- additional services are at an additional cost. They must be agreed with our strategic lead for occupational health
Advice and support
For any questions or feedback about this service, email occupationalhealth@lincolnshire.gov.uk