 |
 |
Hi Annette, My view on this is simply based upon whether there are any side-effects of concern that would put his safety or that of others at risk. You stated that the medication has no effect on his sciatica but he's probably the better judge of this (maybe without his co-codamol he'd not be able to work at all?). I wonder what is worrying you that isn't worrying his GP or other OH professionals? The chap must be functioning well enough to have sustained employment and successfully be appointed to your company just now. Many people with chronic pain lead a normal life without safety risks even on quite large doses of opiates whereas someone like me with hayfever can be rather incapacitated by certain antihistamines. Why don't you have another chat with him about his pain management and put concerns about addiction to the back of your mind for now. Have a look around for information on pain management such as NHS Choices or patient.co.uk so he can also take some responsibility. If his pain isn't controlled enough to reduce any workplace risk to an acceptable level you could work with him and his GP to review his meds so he can have a better quality of life both at and outside work. Paul Paul D'Arcy Nurse Consultant Imperial Health a+ Work Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 4 West Charing Cross Hospital Fulham Palace Road London W6 8RF P: 020 3313 7010 E: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> W: www.imperial.nhs.uk<blocked::BLOCKED::BLOCKED::http://www.imperial.nhs.uk/> [cid:image004.jpg@01CF8498.15610910] [Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CC6D3F.5AB8A7C0]Imperial Health at Work has been accredited as a Safe, Effective, Quality Occupational Health Service www.seqohs.org<http://www.seqohs.org> From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Leavy, Annette Sent: 10 June 2014 08:31 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MAYBE SPAM] [OCC-HEALTH] Sciatica A 52 year old Gent started on site yesterday and declared he takes eight 30/500mg Cocodamol every day and has done for eight years. Needless to say the D&A Test was Non Negative to Morphine. He states this has never been reviewed by his GP ( Continuous repeat prescriptions) and was of no concern to previous employers, and their OH Department. Is it just me ? or would any of you act on this ? I am not equipped with the necessary skills on this matter, but ..............................addiction ? His pain ( Sciatica ) appears NOT to be controlled at all. He also takes Warfarin 4mg daily for Aortic valve Replacement 12 years ago He is a Mechanical Fitter, I have requested a Job spec from his employer so that I may be able to carry out a Manual Handling Risk Assessment Can anyone advise/ give me a few pointers please ? Thank you in advance........................... Kind Regards Annette Leavy RGN Site Nurse ________________________________ NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust notice: The contents of this e-mail are confidential to the ordinary user of the e-mail address to which it is addressed and may also be privileged. If you are not the addressee of this e-mail you may not copy, forward, disclose or otherwise use it in any form whatsoever. If you have received this e-mail in error please telephone the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust on +44 (0)20 3311 3311 and ask for the person who sent you the email. Please also delete the message from your computer. [end] ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH