Thanks for all the responses we will take these things into consideration on assessing her, thought it was an interesting request which is why I wondered what others thought, , have also received some very useful information off line, thanks to all.

Anita

From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">sharon naylor

Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 8:16 AM

To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Pool attendant and mastectomy

Its an interesting one, and as Carr says "thermal comfort " is always a thorny issue in my experience. I wonder sometimes how such issues manage to get referred to OH, eg in this case, (and assuming she wouldnt be breaching any specific policy), she wants a warmer cover up, so why doesnt she just wear one? Is the issue a "medical" one or an issue of who pays for the gear? If its "medical" rather than preference or subjective comfort then it needs to be rubber stamped by OH I suppose, ho hum.. ?

I seem to remember a post about a lollipop lady who wanted her employers to provide her with thermal leggings because she got cold when patrolling her crossing, and the fact that there was a fair bit of agitation around it, not about her comfort but who actually paid out the Ł4 99 for the leggings.......I rememebr a very controversial case in a previous employment where a man working in an open plan office wanted to move desks because he stated that the lighting burned his bald head, and bmmmpph, over to OH for a decision about where to site his desk. I have a whole file of referrals in my current post re people who say they cant wear uniform ties for "medical reasons" and I am expected to make some kind of clinical judgement about whether their reasons are justified or not.

I have every sympathy with the lady in this post, but have a feeling that there will be little clinical evidence to back up her request. Her request may well not be unreasonable, it just requires a manager somewhere to make a decision, and he/she may well still have to make a decision after your OH report is received.

Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:41:18 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Pool attendant and mastectomy
To: [log in to unmask]

As others have said there may be complex issues triggering this request and not all of them purely medical..... as time has gone by her body image may have changed making her more self conscious so she wants more "cover up". Plus thermal comfort is a very individual thing so a "one suit suits all" approach is very unlikely to work.

I tend to cover these requests by stating the facts.. although it is hard in such cases to find specific medical linkage when considering all factors (biopsychosocial) it is likely to be beneficial to the employee's wellbeing to support thermal comfort. Then let the manager's away with it.

carr

On 24 April 2012 21:20, Tracy Turner <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi. Would the cancer nurse specialist help at you local hospital?
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device

From: Anna <[log in to unmask]>

Sender: [log in to unmask]

Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:29:53 +0100

To: <[log in to unmask]>

ReplyTo: Occupational Health mailing list <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Pool attendant and mastectomy

not all swim lessons/courses require the teacher to get into the water

Anna

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Susan Gorton

To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 12:24 PM

Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Pool attendant and mastectomy

She has been told she MAY feel the cold but what is she actually reporting. How was she coping before and if she hasn't reported a problem herself and she already has a solution??

I've done a diving course in a swimming pool and wore a long sleeved top - it wasn't good enough and my circulation is fine.

Surely this comes under suitable and sufficient protective clothing/wet work protection. I think there may be a case for the wetsuit unless you can prove the water is warm enough all year round.

Sue

Susan Gorton | OH Nurse Manager | Occupational Health Department | Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Level 3, Ormond House, 26-27 Boswell St., London WC1N 3JZ |020 7450 9200 Ext 0247 | DD to OHD 020 78138554 | Direct Fax 020 78138355 | Mobile 07833294568

Please be advised that all e-mail communication relevant to assisting in the management of the OH process will be printed and entered into the individual's OH file or copied and added as an electronic note on their electronic OH record. This may therefore be disclosed under the Data Protection Act (1998).

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anita Churchouse
Sent: 24 April 2012 11:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Pool attendant and mastectomy

Hi all

I would value your suggestions. We have had a referral of an individual who works as a pool attendant / swim teacher for the local authority. She has had bi-lateral mastectomy ( at least a year ago now) and has requested from her manager that she be supplied with a wet suite for work given that she was advised that she would be more likely to feel the cold as a result of the surgery.

I have scouted the internet, but cannot find any reference to an individual feeling the cold more because they have had mastectomy? Has anyone heard this before. There are plenty of sites indicating various types of swimwear, but nothing to suggest a wetsuit is actually needed. Then there is not reference that I can see specifically to pool attendants / swim teachers with the problem.

While there is no specific objections to agreeing to her request, obviously this could then pose further issues for management and we do try not to simply agree equipment requests without good reason for so doing. Would value your thoughts or suggestions on this. Thanks

Anita Churchouse

Team Leader OH local authority

BSc OH / SCPHN / RGN/ RM

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