Doctor-led Occupational Health Assessments

Bristol, Newport & South Wales, remotely or on-site

OH Physician Consultations

Advice on fitness for work, adjustments, prognosis

In-person (Bristol or Chepstow), remotely or on-site at your workplace

Online booking, appointments in 1-2 days

£300 pay-as-you-go

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(Video or Tel)
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What is an Occupational Health Assessment?

An occupational health assessment (also called a management referral) is a confidential medical consultation. It provides advice for employers who have concerns about employees’ health and work.

Appointments are available by video or telephone, at our Bristol (BS34) and Chepstow (NP16) clinics, or on-site in Newport, Cardiff, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and UK-wide (peripatetic service, fees apply).

OH assessments provide guidance for employers on:

  • Sickness absence management

    Up-to-date information on the employee’s health, estimated return to work, and prognosis.

  • Return to work after sickness leave

    Fitness for work and adjustments, long or short term. Self-support, sign-posting.

  • Performance, or attendance concerns

    Advice on any medical causes and support.

  • Capability, redeployment, ill-health retirement

    Long-term fitness for work, medical indications for permanent adjustments, redeployment or ill-health retirement

  • Legal compliance

    Opinion on the applicability of the Equality Act 2010. If required, advice on RIDDOR, COSHH and statutory health surveillance (e.g., HAVS, noise induced hearing loss).

  • Other applicable guidance

    E.g., suspected alcohol or substance use, DVLA fitness to drive, specific learning difficulties or neurodivergence (dyslexia, ADHD, autism)

Fit Note vs Occupational Health Assessment

The fit note (Med 3) gives a brief GP’s opinion on fitness for work. An OH assessment goes further. It provides a detailed report and advice on health, adjustments, prognosis and return-to-work planning specific to the role.

How to Refer?

1. Obtain Employee’s Consent

    Before booking, discuss the referral with your employee and obtain their consent. You may use the information in our Referral Form

    2. Book Online (top of this page)

    Select a remote or in-person appointment in Bristol (BS34) or Chepstow, South Wales (NP16).
    On the following screens: choose date and time, pay, and complete the Online Referral Form

    3. Occupational health assessment

    The doctor reviews your employee and prepares the OH Report in 2 working days.
    As the employer, you review the medical advice and make operational decisions.

    4. Follow-up (in selected cases)

    If required, the doctor may recommend a follow-up assessment and/or request a medical report from the employee’s GP (additional fees apply).

    Occupational Health Report

    After the OH Assessment, the OH Report gives clear and actionable advice:

    • Outline of relevant medical issues, current and planned treatments and prognosis.
    An occupational health physician in Bristol is writing a sickness absence report with fitness for work advice.

    • Advice on fitness for work and recommended workplace adjustments, whether temporary or permanent (e.g., risk assessments, adjusted duties or hours).
    • Other information, e.g., Equality Act 2010, DVLA fitness to drive, fitness for administrative/ disciplinary meetings, RIDDOR, COSHH, redeployment, or ill health retirement, if applicable.

    In complex cases, we may request a GP or Consultant’s report with the employee’s consent (additional fees apply).

    Our OH Physicians’ reports are legally defensible and compliant with the Good Occupational Health Practice, the Equality Act 2010, and UK GDPR.

    You may review our sample OH Reports.

    Compliance, Confidentiality & Consent

    Compliance

    We follow UK GDPR, GMC and FOM data protection guidelines.

    Confidentiality

    Occupational health reports contain only pertinent medical details to protect sensitive medical information. Medical details are not shared with the employer or third parties without explicit consent (unless for specific safety-critical reasons).

    Informed consent for medical assessment

    Before the assessment, the referrer must discuss the referral with the employee and obtain their informed consent. The doctor will review the referral with the employee and confirm their consent at the start of the appointment.

    Report Review

    Manager reading an occupational health report after a sickness absence assessment in Bristol.

    Employees may see the report before it is shared with the employer. They may ask questions, provide comments, or correct factual errors. Professional medical opinion cannot be, however, altered at the employee’s request (more information).

    Withdrawing Consent

    Employees may withdraw consent before the report is submitted to the employer (except in rare safety-critical cases).

    This practice ensures transparency and consent and aligns with the GDPR, GMC and FOM guidelines. You may also review our Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy…

    Data Protection and Safety

    Health records are special category data under UK GDPR (Article 9). WorkAble Occupational Health is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Records are stored on UK-based servers. Confidential information is used exclusively by our authorised clinical staff.

    Our Expertise

    Dr Greg Palka is accredited by the GMC, HSE and FOM (AFOM). He has over 20 years of experience advising employers and employees across most sectors, including health and social care, education, construction, transport, logistics, manufacturing, energy, offshore, IT and emergency services, as well as central and local government.

    For Polish employees, OH assessments can be conducted entirely in Polish. See more information about Polish-language occupational health assessments.

    FAQs: Occupational Health Assessments for UK employers

    What is an occupational health assessment, and is it mandatory in the UK?

    An occupational health assessment is a confidential medical consultation with an occupational health clinician, a doctor or a nurse. It gives the employer independent expert advice on how a health condition affects the employee’s ability to work. Assessments are not generally mandatory under UK law. However, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to take steps to protect employee health, and the Equality Act 2010 requires employers to consider reasonable adjustments. An OH assessment provides the evidence to meet both duties.

    How can an occupational health assessment help with long-term sickness absence?

    An occupational health assessment in long-term absence provides a review of an employee’s health, treatment plan, and prognosis during long-term sickness absence. It helps employers understand the return-to-work timeframe, workplace adjustments or restrictions, capability, redeployment or ill health retirement, if required.

    How much does an occupational health assessment cost in Bristol?

    Our pay-as-you-go occ health assessments are priced at £300 both in Bristol and remotely. We offer discounts for group referrals. This includes a 45-minute consultation (remote or at our Bristol OH clinic), a detailed report compliant with GDPR, GMC, FOM and HSE standards. We can prioritise urgent cases; please contact us or book online.

    What workplace adjustments are recommended after an occupational health check?

    Common adjustments include:

    • Role modifications for safety-critical or other roles (e.g., HGV drivers, construction or engineering workers), night shift or healthcare staff.
    • Phased returns, flexible or shorter hours, additional breaks
    • Risk assessments for ergonomic hazards
    • More flexible attendance thresholds and other adjustments, temporary or permanent
    • Statutory advice on fitness for work for workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration or workers with noise-induced hearing loss.

    How does a remote occupational health physician assess fitness for work?

    Our FOM and GMC-accredited occ health physicians review medical history, current and planned treatment and job demands. If required, we may offer an examination at our Bristol occ health clinic or contact the employee’s GP for up-to-date evidence-based medical information.

    What should employers include in an occupational health referral form?

    We provide an online referral template after the booking is made. The template includes:

    • Employee and job details
    • Reason for referral (e.g., frequent or long-term absence, return to work after sickness absence, performance concerns, health surveillance)
    • Specific questions for the occ health physician
    • Employee consent.

    Are occupational health assessments confidential?

    Yes. Only job-relevant medical details are shared with employers, with employee consent and after a prior sight. Data is encrypted per ICO guidelines.

    Can I book occupational health assessment in Polish?

    Yes. Dr Greg Palka conducts assessments entirely in Polish for employees whose first language is Polish. More information about Polish-language OH assessments.