OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE DR NEIL SMITH MSc MB BS DRCOG MRCGP MFOM Specialist Occupational Health Physician AIREDALE NHST /BAtPCT/BDCT

INTRODUCTION 5 QUESTIONS WHAT WORK DOES THE PATIENT DO? COULD THE HEALTH PROBLEM PRESENTED AFFECT ABILITY TO WORK? COULD THE HEALTH PROBLEM PRESENTED BE CAUSED OR MADE WORSE BY WORK? WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE PATIENT WITH ANY OCCUPATIONAL ASPECTS OF THEIR ILL HEALTH? IS THERE ANY PREVENTATIVE ACTION WHICH I CAN INITIATE TO STOP OTHER PEOPLE BEING HARMED OR HANDICAPPED IN THE SAME WAY AS MY PATIENT?

THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM

WHO GUARDS HEALTH AT WORK? GPs OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF WORK & PENSIONS

ASSESSING FITNESS TO WORK 1)Pre employment 2) Change in job during employment 3) Periodic review due to the nature of the job or health risk 4) After sickness absence 5) Employment rehabilitation 6) Retirement for health reasons

MEDICAL REPORTS Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 Data Protection Act 1998 Human Rights Act 2000 GMC Guidance on Confidentiality 2009

SOME CONDITIONS WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR WORK PREGNANCY DIABETES EPILEPSY BACK PAIN MENTAL HEALTH

REPORTING ILL HEALTH DUE TO WORK RIDDOR 1985

RECOGNISING OCCUPATIONAL ILL HEALTH CHEMICALS OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA OCCUPATIONAL DEAFNESS UPPER LIMB DISORDER OCCUPATIONAL CANCER WORK RELATED INFECTIONS

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION 1)Statutory suspension from work 2) Benefits from the DWP 3) Criminal Proceedings 4) Common law claims

HEALTH EDUCATION 1)Related to work places 2) General

ETHICS Disclosure Security of records Pre employment reports

Aims of an Occupational Health Service To provide professional support to management and employees in order to promote Health and Safety at Work.

Why is an Occupational Health Service needed? 1) Pre-employment assessment 2) Sickness absence medicals 3) Ill Health retirement/Rehabilitation/Redeployment 4) Health Surveillance 5) Health education and Health Promotion 6) Analysis of accidents and causes 7) Assessment of workplace hazards 8) Counselling and CBT 9) Advice on First Aid requirements 10) Advice to management and employees 11) Treatment service

Other benefits of an Occupational Health Service. 1) General well being of staff 2) Increased morale 3) Reduced stress 4) Reduced sickness absence 5) Enhanced corporate image.