Frequently Asked Questions
Can I self refer?
Yes you have direct access to the Occupational Health Service via e-mail, telephone or personal visit. Anything discussed is strictly confidential.
What about Confidentiality?
Consultations with the Occupational Health Department are confidential. If you are referred, our report is in terms of fitness to work, restrictions we recommend, or changes to work practice.
We don't mention diagnosis or treatment, except with your agreement.
If you self-refer, no one need know, unless there are serious questions of fitness to practice. We will always discuss with you the advice we shall give.
Only Occupational Health staff, have access to your records, which are separate from the hospital records, and are not backed-up on the Health Board's main computer.
Why have I been referred?
- Pre-employment health assessment before you commence employment
- An immunisation update. It is important that you are protected from communicable diseases.
- Health assessment following a period of sickness absence.
- Routine health surveillance depending on the type of work you do or environment in which you work
- Return to work following Maternity leave
Can I claim for a refund of costs towards spectacles?
You can claim up to £75 towards the cost of your new spectacles as long as you are an employee who habitually uses Display Screen Equipment (DSE) as a significant part of your normal work and these spectacles have been prescribed for DSE use only. If your ordinary prescription is suitable for your DSE work then the employer does not have to pay for your spectacles.
If so what do I do now?
The Occupational Health Department will require written proof from your Optician that these glasses are required purely for VDU use only along with your receipt for your new glasses together submitted to our department and we will then arrange for a part refund.
