Kind regards

Lesley

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carr Barnes
Sent: 03 November 2011 12:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] OHP reports

Hi Lesley

It sounds like there could be two different things going on here that need clarifiying in your policy... is OHP is providing a "medical" report to you or is he providing an OH report to the employer? If his report is for the employer then you shouldn't need to "review it" or be involved with it. If it's a medical report to you then that's a different ball game and you would then need to discuss your advice based on the report with the employee (same as if it came from a GP) as per your policy.

Our OPs write directly to the employer; the medical info stays in the medical notes and the functional info (current and prognosis for future) goes into the report to the employer. If the OP decides to disclose diagnosis etc in the report the presumption is that he has obtained consent to do so. The employee is made fully aware of the planned contents of the report at the end of the consultation (not specifc wording but what the OP's opinion is and what advice is going to be given) as per GMC etc guidelines.

Hope that helps?

Carr

On 3 November 2011 12:37, Lesley Bamford <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi List,

I was just wondering what your process for OHP reports is? I often refer ad hoc to OHP's around the country who most often I have had no prior dealings with. I write the referral letter including any specific/additional questions that the company wants answering and the report gets sent back to me. Quite often there is no mention on the report of whether the individual is aware of the content and who it will be sent to. In most cases the report contains brief medical info and recommendations and I am happy to share it with the company HR. However, sometimes the report is written as private and confidential to me and contains a lot of medical detail that I don't think is necessary for HR to have. Employees are always informed that a report will be sent following the referral but I do not ask for written consent as I think that this is the responsibility of the OHP (I will end up asking for consent to obtain consent next!). Do you police what information out of the report goes to the company or do you trust that the OHP has followed the FOM Guidance on Ethics for OHP's and obtained consent? IMHO I do not think that I should have to make a descision on what part of the report goes to HR surely it is up to the OHP to justify the content of their own report if challenged. I think what I am getting at is, if because the report has come to me, addressed confidentially to me, do I have any responsibility for sharing confidential information? or should I be able to assume that the OHP knows that the company will ask for a copy of the full report and just hand a copy over?
Can you point me in the direction of any documents/policy to clarify this?
Sitting reading this back I feel a bit like a neurotic worrier (I am definately not!) but I can't get this straight in my head. Sometimes it just doesn't feel right.

I look forward to your responses. This list is such a valuable resource for OHA's like me with no colleagues to discuss issues with.

Many thanks in advance

Lesley

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