JISCMail - OCC-HEALTH Archives

I have just managed to catch up with this thread after being away for a few days. The topic is very interesting, and I agree with the general consensus. Our OH dept still provides a "treatment" service, in conjunction with a very proactive approach in the full remit of OH services in general.

I believe that in some instances, particularly in engineering and manual workforces, clinics can be useful, if they are well controlled, and set times are adhered to.

The majority of visits to the "surgery" now tend to be for advice, musculo -skeletal problems, follow up wound care, or when illness has not resolved via a self care route. I do not feel that the service is abused, too much, although I think that there will be individuals who visit more often than the average employee.

I regard each visit as an opportunity to impart health education, and promote good health advice, this improves the OH reputation, for being helpful, professional and builds trust. Encouraging positive therapeutic relationships in this way, comes into play when OH services such as absence management, or counselling are required because there may be some mutual understanding already established, and early recognition of Musculo -skeletal problems, and appropriate advice, or referral, can indeed, and does assist in the reduction of sickness absence. It does also, where appropriate, mean that employees are away from the shop - floor less, than if they were attending an appointment outside of work.

I realise that we are in the minority, and for the majority of organisations it isn't appropriate, however, we are site based, and therefore accessible. If the right balance is achieved (and we are not there yet), it could be beneficial to provide a clinic. which operates in such a way to give minimum intervention with maximum effects.

I have been watching this for the last few days and it has really got me thinking. So I have decided to stick my head above the parapet-not done easily or lightly!

Whilst I totally agree that 'treatment clinics', such as the one first mentioned that started this thread, are not the remit of OH, I can see that there may be some benefit of them being in the workplace in certain settings. My thinking is- if the employee is seen within the workplace for what would of been the morning/afternoon/day off for a GP visit then that is saving time and money for the workplace (there needs to be stringent procedures in place for communicating with the GP). The flip side of it is how often have we seen people for one thing, and found that there are other issues going on which with OH input can be lessened? It also incorporates partnership working maybe? Just my thoughts. Hard hat on-you can be a scary lot!!!

-----Original Message-----
From: Cecilia Ann Fairhurst <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:52
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Minor Illness Clinic in OH department

I fought to get a computer and suitable database, and it was only after years of negotiation that this happened. Once Management and the workforce saw the benefits of my efforts with statistics they were very supportive. I used a local chiropodist for foot problems, he came in once a month and the workforce paid for their own treatment. I trained first aider's and was free to carry out Occupational Health as we now know it, A benefit all around.

I remember the furore when we had so many absentees on Friday mornings die to hangovers, the shop floor were paid weekly then, I suggested that they pay them on Friday instead of Thursday. Manager felt this would cause many to be unfit for overtime... of course this was never the case as overtime was a perk they come to rely on. It cut the absence by about 90% at the time. The unions kicked up a bit but I appealed to the sensible stewards and won that battle.

We had a Paracetamol machine installed

itn the tea break area and it was serviced by HR, no problem there.The huge savings on medications I had inherited more that paid for the outlay of the computer.

I brought that company into the 20th century then they made me redundant! what price success

Celia

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