long time no write. Hey guys wondering what your thoughts would be on the following quandry I face in work and was hoping to get some advice. As always thanks to all in advance who offer advice through experience or can point me in the right direction to make an informed decision. I have recently been approached and informed that an employee has been diagnosed with the first stages of parkinsons disease. In previous circumstances where an employee has declared a medical condition, although serious to the person, I have put a simple care plan in place with the full co operation of employee. As i have managed to complete a small ammount of research what sticks out to me is Parkinsons is classed as a "degenerative neurological" condition. Alarm bells banging in the background as I feel a simple care plan is not suitable and sufficient and the type of role this person carries out can and will be safety critical. My initiall thoughts would be to , with the permission from the employee in question, obtain written confirmation from his/her GP and ask for some kind of detail of the types of duties they are allowed to continue with. I would also be thinking along the lines of regular review of "any" care plan we put in place. However I am a bit twitchy about this as I feel it should be dealt with "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH" If anyone has similar experience or can help in any way I would be very gratefull Many thanks in advance once again L

I have had exactly the same problem. Initially I conducted a specific risk assessment for that person with her full involvement. Together we identified all areas of concern, some high risk, some simple things and then we, together, put measures in place to ensure her safety and that of those around her. Together we came to the conclusion that a referal to Occi Health would be to her advantage and she was duely refered. I then worked closely with Occi Health and the woman with Parkinsons. She and I conducted regular (every 10weeks) reviews of the risk assessment and sometimes the control measures were changed to accommodate her degenerating condition. It is a complicated disease and people are affected in different ways at different times. For us what worked very well was the fact that we "managed" her working environment and her condition together. Her diagnosis was over 5yrs ago and although she now only works part time she continues to be a valued member of the workforce. I hope this is of some help in your situation.