Are your First Aiders qualified medical professionals i.e. do they have the appropriate title and are they recognised in the register of a medical organisation RCN, RCS etc..? If the answer is No they are only qualified to give a personal, not a medical opinion - first aid training is done in days, not years. The legal responsibilities (can I be held accountable / sued if the casualty dies or becomes permanently incapacitated) are something often discussed during First Aid training as well as not sending the casualty on their own to hospital in case their condition deteriorates in transit. A First Aiders failure to arrange a trip to the hospital following a knock to the head may have contributed to our being short one family member - so apologies if my response seems a bit strong. Unfortunately regardless of perception of the individual the employers duty of care applies.

Hi Ian, Not knowing anything about the previous cases, and the severity of the complaints, but what qualifications does your first aider or manager hold that allows them to determine if someone is okay to return to work following an injury? (unless we are talking minor scratches etc). I,m assuming again, but would suggest your guys are not qualified Health professionals; I would suggest a proper diagnosis from a health professional should be the route. Your first aiders and managers should know their limitations.

Given the amount of people who are called "health professional" these days I would prefer "medically qualified". Unless the first-aid person has reasonable qualifications in a medically-related field their OPINION is worth very little. I have only known one first aid person, in 40 years at work, whose opinion was worth anything. In fact it is alarming that people on here still regard them as doctors in waiting!

Hi, I may not ebabout to add too much to this beyond some general observations and one frustration - Some 1st aiders will send anything, including a small cut to A7E "just in case..." Can't argue with the thinking or logic.... Look, the OP gives no detail really of the type of injury sustained or the type of person injured - young, old, long time employee etc. There are so many factors at play in this. Some long term employees will, in the style of the Knight in Monty Python isist "'tis nowt more than a scratch" and insist on carrying on, others may be looking for an excuse to take a few days off; not because they're intrinsically bad but because they are stressed, under pressure or poorly paid and working long hours. Some people do not take time off because they don't get pid for the first two days on sick etc. What I am saying is there is far more to this than just the relative qualifications and experience of the first aider verses the medical experts, site culture, expectations and culture are at play too... Just a thought, Jim

Hiya thanks for all your replies the issues are over low level bruising, someone was hit by a crate that dropped a metre another one was hit on the nose by a rack, it was all low level. We have been using the criteria (and I use that word very loosely please) if it was your family member would you say that needs to be checked out? head injuries always go to hospital regardless we are not trying to say people can't go or it is our medical opinion that they shouldn't go it is about saying when someone has what is quite obviously a light bruise we are offering light duties etc and they pack their gear up and say take me to the hospital and arrange a lift home before even going to the hospital that is so frustrating we just wondered if we could in these circumstances say look, it is obvious it is a light bruise we have offered light duties if it gets worse of course we will take you but if you insist on going yourself then make your own arrangements!!!

Ian you state we are offering light duties etc and they pack their gear up and say take me to the hospital and arrange a lift home before even going to the hospital that is so frustrating If an employee can not resume their normal duties then it would be a LTA or RIDDOR if this extends over the prescribe period as your employee must be fit to do the role they are employed for Chris

As a First Aider I would never hinder anyone who felt they needed qualified medical treatment. The clue is in the name ‘First’. Bandage them , keep them breathing and get the professionals in asap. I am not qualified to do any more than that.

Ian What does it say about your culture of (no) care if you deter someone with an injury, however minor it appears, from getting opinion from a medical professional? Production, even if light duties, is king?