Occupational Health News & Alerts - Archived News - 2014

CIPD Exhibition

Healthwork Ltd are exhibiting at the forthcoming CIPD exhibition on 5th and 6th November at Manchester Central. We would like to invite you to the exhibition and to visit us on stand 250. We will be introducing our brand new profiling tool designed specifically to define your organisations occupational health requirements. By utilising this tool we can ensure that your OH solution will not only be much more cost effective but also ensures that your service specifically matches your companies requirements. 

Ebola Virus

This Healthwork alert has been produced in response to the recent outbreak of Ebola cases in Africa.  The alert is for our clients particularly where they have employees who travel abroad.

Ebola virus disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by several distinct families of viruses. The natural reservoir for Ebola virus is not known, but it has been found in animals including non-human primates and bats.

Management of HIV Infected Healthcare Workers (HCWs)

This Healthwork alert will be most relevant to NHS trusts although other Healthwork clients may also find it of interest and relevance.

We are often asked to advise about the management of HIV infected health care workers particularly in relation to their fitness to perform Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP).  Recently, Public Health England have produced updated guidance  on this:
The Management of HIV infected Healthcare Workers who perform exposure prone procedures : updated Guidance, January 2014.  Public Health England Publications January 2014.

Healthwork HAVs Course - June 2014 FEEDBACK

Healthwork HAVs Course - June 2014

Healthwork Introduce Vaccine & Serology Clinic

Healthwork are pleased to announce that from the 2nd June 2014 we will be introducing a vaccine and serology clinic twice a week at our Manchester office.

This will also include the launch of our new TB screening service.  This screening includes a Tuberculin Skin Test (Mantoux), BCG vaccine and Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) blood testing.  The Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) are whole-blood tests that can aid in diagnosing Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection.  

                           

Advice for Employers – Where There Appears to be a Conflict Between GP Advice and Occupational Health Advice

The Issue:

Situations sometimes arise where an occupational health (OH) report seems to be in conflict with the statement on the GP certificate (Form Med 3).   

In March 2013, the Government issued new guidance on the Fit Note which allows an employer to give precedence to the views of an occupational health practitioner over those of a GP.   

This means that employers may, in principle, be able to prefer to accept the opinion of occupational health over that of the GP Fit Note as to whether or not a person is potentially fit to return to work.

Giving advice on Questions relating to Disability and the Equality Act

A recent Appeal Court Judgement (Gallop v Newport County Council) reported in:

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2013/1583.html sheds valuable insight into what information employers must consider in relation to their responsibilities under this element of the Equality Act.  Although this judgement is directed more towards employers this has an impact on an occupational health provider to give employers appropriate information.  

This is intended to supplement any existing guidance on the Equality Act (CMA Guide 64) and Report Writing (CMA Guide 68).  Clinicians should take some time to read the case in full and reflect on the implications for their own practise.