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davidjohn#1  
#1 Posted : 09 December 2011 09:02:01(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
davidjohn#1

A member of staff has recently been to see a doctor about some health issues and the doctor has informed her that she would have to be referred by her companies occupational therapist. Its a relatively small buisness, is there a requirement for this?
Kate  
#2 Posted : 09 December 2011 09:48:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I don't even know what an "occupational therapist" is, let alone why they would have to refer an employee for them to get medical help for a health issue.

It sounds as if the message has become garbled.
davidjohn#1  
#3 Posted : 09 December 2011 10:19:11(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
davidjohn#1

That makes two of us kate. I can only aaume that he means the companies occupational health department. On further discussion with the member of staff in question it would seem it isfor the occupational health department as her condition mean her workplace (desk) may need to be adapted to suit her needs. However as previously stated its a small buisness with no occupational health department so what would you suggest?
redken  
#4 Posted : 09 December 2011 10:24:15(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
redken

Kate wrote:
I don't even know what an "occupational therapist" is,

http://www.nhscareers.nh...ails/Default.aspx?Id=284
davidjohn#1  
#5 Posted : 09 December 2011 10:27:33(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
davidjohn#1

Am I right in thinking the role of occupational therapist is not a requirement within the general workplace only the listed ares in the link i.e. schools, nursing home.
Dave C  
#6 Posted : 09 December 2011 10:51:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Dave C

I think the GP is referring to Occupational Health. We don't have an occ health department either but use an external NHS based organisation. Our HR department carry out the admin for this. Just google to find providers in your area and go from there.
leadbelly  
#7 Posted : 09 December 2011 10:53:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
leadbelly

David

From your brief description, it sounds like you need an ergonomist rather an occ health input.

LB
Kate  
#8 Posted : 09 December 2011 11:49:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I think the first step should be an assessment of the workstation carried out jointly with the employee as it may be a problem with a simple solution, and if there is no simple solution then I agree it's for an ergonomist and not occupational health (occupational health will generally just say things like "workstation assessment needed").
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