Sickness absence, fitness for work, capability, adjustments

Appointments in 1-2 days, next-day reports

Occupational health physician’s advice

GMC, FOM, and HSE-compliant

£300 pay-as-you-go

Occupational health assessments (also known as occupational health checks or management referrals) are medical consultations designed to support employees’ health and workplace productivity and safety.

Our occupational health physicians provide clear, evidence-based guidance for employers on:

• Fitness for work and recommended workplace adjustments
• Health-related performance or attendance concerns
• Sickness absence management and safe return to work
• Fitness for disciplinary meetings
• Capability, redeployment and ill-health retirement

The employer and employee receive an impartial, GDPR-compliant report with clear recommendations on the employee’s fitness for work, workplace adjustments, Equality Act 2010, and prognosis.

The OH reports are legally defensible and compliant with Good Occupational Health Practice, RIDDOR and the Equality Act 2010 (if applicable). Our physicians are accredited by the GMC and FOM.

For employers seeking an “occupational health assessment near me”, we offer occupational health consultations at our OH clinics in Bristol and Chepstow or remotely by phone or video.

Benefits for employers and employees

According to ACAS, occupational health assessments are useful if employees’ health might affect their work or the work might affect their health. The doctor will explore relevant health problems, their impact on work and recommend workplace adjustments.

Adjustments may include modifying or altering duties, reducing hours, increasing support, or offering workplace adjustments. The assessment provides recommendations for employers. Occupational health assessments are not compulsory, and employees can choose whether to participate. However, occupational health can help them get the right support (ACAS: Occupational Health Assessments).

Preparing for your occupational health assessment

✔ Complete the confidential online OH Questionnaire (emailed after the booking). Attach in confidence your prescriptions and medical reports, if applicable.

✔ For in-person appointments, see the clinic information on our Contact page. For remote consultations, ensure a private, quiet environment.

✔ Occ health appointments usually take around 40 minutes (longer for complex cases).

• The occupational health physician will explain the OH referral, the process, confidentiality and consent and will take your medical and work history in confidence.

• The OH doctor will discuss the planned recommendations: fitness for work, short- and long-term workplace adjustments, and the prognosis.
  
• Employees can review a copy of the report either before the employers or simultaneously (see Consent below).

If required, the doctor may request a medical report from the GP, with consent.

Occupational Health Report

Our occupational health reports provide a detailed, evidence-based assessment and actionable, compliant advice to help both employers and employees understand how health impacts work fitness. Each OH report includes:

• A brief outline of relevant medical issues, their effect on work, current and planned treatments, and occupational prognosis.

• Advice on fitness for work.

• Recommendations on workplace adjustments, whether temporary or permanent (e.g., increased support, risk assessments, adjusted duties or hours, if applicable).

• Guidance on fitness for and support during administrative or disciplinary meetings.

• Advice on capability, redeployment, or ill-health retirement, if required.

• Information on the applicability of the Equality Act 2010, DVLA guidelines, or RIDDOR Regulations.

Impartial, evidence-based occ health advice

We provide impartial, objective specialist advice based on information from the employee and, when applicable, medical examinations during face-to-face assessments.

In complex cases or when considering capability decisions, we may request a GP report, with the employee’s consent, to offer evidence-based occupational health advice.

Our occupational health reports are confidential, impartial, and compliant with GDPR. We focus on supportive recommendations to support employees’ health and safety and help businesses manage medical risks.

Compliance, confidentiality & consent

Our occupational health assessments, whether in Bristol or remotely, adhere to relevant legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 and guidelines from the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM).

Employee Rights and Consent

– Informed consent for referral. Employees must be provided with the Referral to occupational health and give informed consent for the OH assessment

– Confidentiality: Occupational health reports contain only pertinent medical details to protect sensitive medical information, ensuring compliance with GDPR;

– Report review: Employees may choose to see the report before it is shared with the employer. They may ask questions, provide comments, or correct factual errors such as spelling or errors inaccuracies. Medical professionals, including occupational health physicians, GPs, or surgeons, provide unbiased opinions based on medical evidence. Professional occupational health opinions cannot be altered at the employee’s request (more information).

– Withdrawing consent: After reviewing the report, employees have the right to withdraw their consent prior to its submission to the employer (except in rare cases where safety is a concern)

The referral for occupational health consultation includes detailed information on informed consent. The occupational health process and consent are also discussed with the employee during the consultation, ensuring transparency and understanding.

By adhering to these protocols, our occupational health assessments, both in Bristol and nationwide, maintain professional and compliance standards to safeguard both employee rights and employer responsibilities. 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

At Workable Occupational Health, we prioritise the confidentiality and security of medical information both for occupational health assessments in Bristol and remotely.

We collect and process in compliance with the GDPR 2018. Confidential information is used solely by our authorised staff to assess fitness for work and is not shared with third parties without written consent, except in rare safety-related matters.

Workable Occupational Health is a registered Data Processor with the Information Commissioner’s Office under the GDPR 2018. We process employees’ confidential, sensitive medical information in compliance with GDPR requirements.
Under our Confidentiality and Data Protection Policy, employees submit their medical information directly to our occupational health team. The employer receives only the occupational health report. Medical details are never shared with the employer or third parties without the applicant’s explicit consent (unless for specific safety-critical reasons).

Our physicians have over 15 years of experience and expertise in providing occupational health advice on all aspects of fitness for work, serving both employers and employees.

We support most industries, including health and social care, education, administration, governmental and non-governmental bodies, construction, road and rail transport, logistics, manufacturing, energy industries, offshore industries, information technology, emergency services, and others.

We are accredited by the GMC, HSE and FOM to provide occupational health advice.

FAQs: Occupational health services for UK employers