Hi Sue
I saw the writing on the wall when I attend the RCN OH Conference in Harrogate in 2006 and heard speeches from Dame Carol Black (DBC), Lord Hunt and Bill Gunnyeon.( Her report confirms what I first thought although I haven't had time to fully digest it). Combine that with Anne Harris's evaluation of where the NMC are steering OH education and someone else's opinion that Case managers were the future of managing S/A & RTW rehab programmes, and the suggestion of the extension of the roles of Safety professionals (as there's lots more of them than us), I thought then where will I (OH) be in all of this.
Please safety colleagues do not take offence I too am CMIOSH but like it or not that was relatively easier to achieve than 40 years nursing experience and an OH degree.
It was apparent at that conference that DCB saw the OH role as one predominantly delivering Health Promotion. Now whilst this is laudable as you say I did not do a three year OH degree to deliver health promotion!!!
GP's signing 'fit notes' saying 'light duties' is going to drive employers mad!
Yes maybe its time OH moved on but I can't help feeling we have become a pawn in a governments agenda and because we are a small part of the Nursing profession we will be diluted into some other role/speciality and there's little we are going to be able to do about it. Look at the RCN's decision to dispense with Shelia Horan our OH representative.
I am nearing the end of my nursing career so will be relatively unaffected by the changes but I feel for those of you out there that are going to shoulder the burden of these proposals. Some would say it's an exciting challenging time for OH and maybe it is but it does nothing to light my fire.
Sooooooooooooooo thought for the day
Can I control, can I change it or do I need to learn to let it go?
Sorry not to be able to give you the reassurance you were seeking and maybe I am totally of beam so ignore me. I will get of my soap box now!!
Sue
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Clarke
Sent: 01 April 2008 09:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Fit Notes-The end of OH? Paranoia?
Good Morning! Now I am worried and would welcome the reassurance of my colleagues. Yesterday, I, at last caught up with my journals reading and, of course ALL of the "Black" report. Suitably named methinks!
However, I digress....Health & Safety at work April 2008 page 3 " Fitnotes to get GPs thinking inside the box on work capability". I am sadly disappointed in Dr Sayeed Khan ( EEF CMO) comments of support to the training for GPs in OH ( half day). In my view, this heralds the end of Occupational Health as a Speciality and a need. If a half days training on the rehabilitative value of work for patients is all that is needed for a GP to be qualified in OH to tick the boxes on the Fit note advising employers of fitness to return to work, then why did I spend three years studying for a BSc degree to do the same?
Is this the old Nurse vs Doctor discussion raising its head in an entirely new light? no offence, please, to all the exceptional medically qualified persons that i work with; but I do have to ask this question. Is a half day training for a Doctor equivalent to three years training for a Nurse to be OH qualified? Am I paranoid or are we ( OH Specialists) being "squeezed" out?
Furthermore, I have to ask myself whether any of my clients will continue with my Specialist service when with the new Fit note, all their questions are being answered ( or so they will think) in order to get an employee back to work?
The list of questions includes: Is the patient able to carry out work sitting? Yes/No. That question alone does not cover the adjustments required for the employee returning to work post lumbar discectomy. It does not discuss the need for "time to carry out physio exercises" etc etc.
Is any one else worried about their future in OH or, as I am approaching the grand old age of 50 on Friday, am I just paranoid?
Regards, Sue
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OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:
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CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH
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http://OHJobs.drmaze.net
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING EDUCATION
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