JISCMail - OCC-HEALTH Archives

In my experience each and every place I work has different priorities. Some ie my construction era were very HSE driven and due to transient workforce it was impossible to do sickness absence as they would be there one day then moved to another site. Some education was possible but it was hit and miss especially due to the diverse language barriers. I had to be pragmatic and focus on what I could achieve within the time and budget.

However now I am in a pharma company and its static and so the ability to slowly ( poor ability to change and restricted hours and budget) move to more strategic focus and be proactive is my goal. I spent 3 years collecting data and have recently presented to the UK Exec team my vision. It’s a slow process and that’s not considering the employees barriers. So I-

· assessed the budget

· resource

· culture of the business

and set an achievable plan and then used the data to provide site specific results. This has been back breaking and frustrating but I have after 3 years finally turned the corner. I found they wanted evidence and more importantly based on their industry and ideally their site. I chipped away at the smaller areas bit by bit.

Sadly it’s a chicken and egg as they need the day to day to continue while you work on the above. If you don’t have the evidence then I found you don’t get the buy in and therefore the money and support.

No one said our job was easy and we are thank goodness a determined bunch!

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carr Barnes
Sent: 27 September 2013 08:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Treatment debate

I agree Tracy. In one place I worked there was a need for a treatment/GP service mainly due to wide geographical area employees lived in; a visit to their local GP would mean over half a day off even for routine stuff. The cost efficient way turned out to be contracting a local GP and taxi service who gave priority access. The company also partially funded the cost of the GP appointment to encourage employees to use it and it was very successful. In OH we didn't have skills, time (admin or clinical) or space (for files etc) to provide this service which added up on an average of 2 full days a week.

Carr

On 27 Sep 2013 07:25, "Tracy Turner" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

This is an interesting debate and clearly each site is different. The role of the OH is diverse and should perhaps be adapting to what is actually required bearing in mind costs and skill set of the nurse. I think the original question was asking for specific quotes information to support not having a treatment centre. What this debate has shown is that there are no clear cut answers and perhaps a needs assessment should be conducted. Then it would be clearer if a site would benefit. However in the costing it must include what services the treatment centre would be required to offer and the costs required to ensure the nurse is competent and up to date to undertake them. I am sure practice nurses are required to undergo continuous training just as OH nurses are but for different areas. Surely the role would become OH/Practice nurse. Tracy

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From: Paula Highton <[log in to unmask]>

Sender: [log in to unmask]

Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 21:59:29 +0100

To: <[log in to unmask]>

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

Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Treatment debate

I work in heavy engineering with castings that can be as big as 500 tonne. It’s also a 200 year old company with a lot of ingrained attitudes and practices. However the company are committed to the health and safety of its employees and we have achieved the BSI and Asme standards and every single employee has received IOSH training. The amount of resources in terms of money, time, procedures, behavioural safety systems, technology, training and dedicated Health and Safety professionals that are spent in this company is unbelievable. Unfortunately we are working with humans and not machines and humans make mistakes and can be careless regardless of their training etc…

Now I understand that the bottom line in terms of finance is what drives companies and it would seem most professions these days but ask any of the employees here what they value the most and they will tell you that it is having a nurse that they can go to onsite who they trust, having a Physiotherapist who also provides treatment and helps to maintain their role as breadwinner and provider for their families.

I don’t see our treatment service as being our primary role and function, if anything it is an extended role, an add on to the other services which we provide, but in terms of developing therapeutic relationships with our service users it has been invaluable.

Anyway I’m off home now. Down side to treatment services is the blummin shifts J

Thank you everyone for some interesting comments.

Take care

Paula

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: 26 September 2013 21:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Treatment debate

Exactly, Paula, its about what is best for service users – an extensive treatment service is not the best for service users.

I would prefer that someone I care about did not sustain a work related illness/injury rather than them having access to a wonderful workplace treatment service. In fact, the existence of such a treatment service would suggest that the employer provided it because it was needed and was well used – a big hint that the chance of injuries in that workplace is high ..... Would I want to work there – No!

Anne

On 26/09/2013 21:09, "Paula Highton" <[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">[log in to unmask]> wrote:

So here’s the question then… Is this debate really about what’s best for our service users or is it about how the Occupational Health professional wishes to be perceived?

Paula

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