The management of occupational health by NHS Trusts in the north of England.
This paper reports the findings of an audit of the management of occupational health arrangements in 36 NHS Trusts in the Northern and Yorkshire region of England. A questionnaire was designed based on a national NHS occupational health standard to obtain data on eight categories of occupational health activity: health and safety; pre-employment assessments; Infection Control; health surveillance; sickness absence; ill-health retirement; health promotion and record storage. The management arrangements for occupational health were varied. Assessments of workplace hazards, prevention of HIV-positive workers from performing exposure-prone invasive procedures and the assessment of pregnant workers were identified as issues for further consideration. Provision of competent and effective occupational health services will assist in the management of sickness absence and in the protection and promotion of health of staff. It will also contribute to the health and safety of patients.
Harrison
J
J
Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Medical School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
Woodhouse
J
J
Dowson
A J
AJ
D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008330:Management Audit; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires