-----Original Message-----
From: david mills [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 March 2004 15:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Opinion wanted - Specialist referral without examination.Not sure how HR heard about Dr X - probably through legal branch.Not sure what employees think about being referred, assume they don't know yet. However their service handbook indicates that they have to go to OH if referred reasonably and have to go to a specialist if reasonable.Aside from the consent issue, I think if we are told we have to refer these staff to Dr X but they (HR) don't want us to see the people then we are referring blindly with no medical input as to whether it is appropriate. Clearly I'm sure we could find out about Dr X if we had to.It might appear that we are being used by employers to pursue a particular strategy in the industrial dispute and that would surely damage our independence as a professional occupational health unit. Allowing Dr X to examine in our unit would undoubtedly reinforce that view.Don't really care about the ins and outs of the suspensions. Presumably the argument will be about what exactly their duties entail and the disciplinary measures available if staff refuse to perform their duties. I would have thought suspension of someone who will not carry out their duties is within the powers of an employer.It strikes me that if these people were suspended then their sickline is probably irrelevant up until the point that the suspension is lifted and they do or don't return.It also strikes me that employers, having suspended the staff, could decide not to accept their sick lines and refuse to pay sick pay (think they may have done this but not sure). This would no doubt trigger an appeal system possibly leading to an SSAT or IT.I would also have thought that if a tribunal ensues then the employer may have difficulty in explaining why they did not follow normal procedures and refer staff to their OH unit.I suspect some of our members have already consulted their medical defence organisation.David
Interesting,
From: Glenn Raybone [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 13 March 2004 04:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Opinion wanted - Specialist referral without examination.
personally I'd contact HR to ask more about Dr X, and how they'd heard of him, and where he/she's been used in the past etc.
Maybe even try to contact Dr X direct. If the employees have a GP note, and the aim is to get them back to work then a referral to Dr X may be just one way or route to achieve this. Are the employees happy to be referred? What's their opinion of it?? Or am I correct in assuming (always dangerous I know) that there is a communication breakdown between HR, OH, Unions and employees?
regards,
Glenn RayboneThis message has been processed by Firetrust Benign.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying. Visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying. Visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives
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