Doctor-led OH Assessments
Bristol & South Wales, remotely or on-site
Independent OH physician assessments
Advice on return to work, fitness for work, adjustments, prognosis
At our clinics in Bristol or Chepstow, remotely or on-site
Online booking, appointments in 1-2 days
£300 pay-as-you-go
Navigation
What is an Occupational Health Assessment?
Occupational health assessments (also known as management referrals) are confidential medical consultations for employees when their health might affect their work, or when work might affect their health.
Employers*) may refer employees to obtain our OH doctor’s guidance on:
Fit Note vs Occupational Health Assessment
The fit note (Med 3) gives a GP’s opinion on fitness for work. An OH assessment goes further, providing a detailed report with advice on health, adjustments, prognosis and return-to-work planning specific to the s role.
*) We do offer assessments for self-referrals.
How to Refer?
Obtain Employee’s Consent
1. Before booking, discuss the referral with your employee to obtain their consent. You may refer them to this page and our Policies.
2. For in person assessments, share Clinic Information with the employee.
Book Online (top of this page)
1. Select in-person or remote appointment
2. Next screens: select date and time, pay, and complete the referral form
3. Referral Form: Provide as much detail about the employee’s role and reasons for referral as possible, and include additional questions if required.
Occupational health assessment
The doctor reviews your employee and prepares the report in 2 working days.
As the employer, you review the medical advice and make operational decisions.
Follow-up (selected cases)
If required, the doctor may recommend a follow-up assessment and/or request a medical report frorm the employee’s GP (additional fees apply).
Occupational Health Report and Advice
After the OH Assessment, the OH Report gives clear and actionable advice:
- Outline of relevant medical issues, their effect on work, current and planned treatments, and occupational prognosis.
- Advice on fitness for work and recommendations on workplace adjustments, whether temporary or permanent (e.g., increased support, risk assessments, adjusted duties or hours, if applicable).
- Information on the Equality Act 2010.
- Other information, e.g., 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 GDPR.
You may review our sample OH Reports.
Compliance, Confidentiality & Consent
We follow GDPR 2018, GMC and FOM data protection guidelines.
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.
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).
Report Review
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
WorkAble Occupational Health is registered as a Data Processor with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under GDPR 2018.
- Confidential information is used exclusively by our authorised clinical staff.
- We never share confidential information with the employer without employees’ written consent (except in rare safety-related matters).
Our Expertise
Our doctors, accredited by GMC, HSE and FOM, have over 15 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.
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 review of employee’s health and its impact on their work (or vice versa). It is not mandatory, but it helps employers manage sickness absence, consider adjustments and support and comply with the Equality Act 2010, and GDPR guidelines, OH&S legislation and HSE requirements. Employees can decline, but participation may enable tailored support.
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.