We discussed this at a meeting of local Auth. OHA's a few weeks ago. The
general feeling was that we would not like to sign people on/off sick. This
was based on lack of knowledge of someones medical history which a GP would
have whilst we would only have some basic information often just from the
employee. We also wondered if our insurance would cover us if we got it
wrong. I do write to GP's not just for medical reports but if I am
concerned about the health of an employee and if I am hoping to bring
someone back on our six week return to work scheme. In those letters I
invite comments from GP's or if they have any recommendations they would
like included. So far I have not had a responce to these letters. I often
feel that GP's do not know what a job involves nor do they always spend much
time in writing medical reports which they then charge high fees for.
Equally some are excellent and helpful.
I heard at the OH RCN Conference last Nov about the OHA in Dunfries and
Galloway NHS I think it was who made useful contact with the Asthma nurses
in the GP centres with special regard to Occ Asthma. Working side by side
with collaegues in other areas would surely help speed up treatment options
and possible return to work.
Despite GP's being advised about the managment of back pain I find they are
often not as proactive as I would like and still seem to be telling folk to
rest cause it hurts! That makes it very difficult to get people back to
work in a reasonable time scale. Equally some employers do not seem to be
able to think of other jobs for employees to do whilst they are having back
pain the idea being a road sweeper so always a road sweeper.
Thank you for those folk who have responded to my cry for help re access to
medical files held on PC's it was so reassuring to know that folk were out
there. RCN is now in touch and finding out the possible consequences of
this break in secruity. Until I get written confirmation that my pc is
secure I am being very careful what I use it for.
Regards
Sue
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lynda Wright" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 7:00 PM
Subject: Email site
>
http://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/pm/articles/GP+sick+notes+under+scrutiny.h
>
> This site contains an interesting article. How does everyone feel about
> signing sick notes now we've had time to think about it ? I personally
feel
> that many employers will have to deal better with sickness absence and
> capability issues. The pressure on many of us will be enormous when we
> finally are really to blame for sickness absence statistics!
>
>
>
> Reagrds Lynda
>
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