Information for All Staff

Now available: The new University of Glasgow Health Surveillance Policy

 

Occupational Health Referrals 

Management Referrals

You will find information about what happens when you are referred for Occupational Health review here.

Self Referrals

Self-referral to the Occupational Health Unit may be useful for discussing concerns about the impact of a health problem on your capacity to work or the effect of the workplace on your health.  Such confidential appointments may help you to understand the options available and arrive at a decision on what to do when uncertain.

However, most referrals to Occupational Health come through a line or HR manager.  This is the best route for accessing support for the majority of occupational health work-related issues because it involves the appropriate people within the University to deal with them.  Self-referral to the Occupational Health Unit has limitations on how much assistance can be given for workplace matters, because management are not involved.

Following management referrals, the Occupational Health Adviser writes a report to the referrer with the individual’s consent. Copies of reports can be sent to individuals.  Medical confidentiality is observed, as required by professional codes of conduct and outlined in our OHU Statement of Confidentiality.  With a self-referral, reports are usually not written and therefore the manager cannot be expected to have knowledge of a problem and cannot give appropriate support.  If you self-refer to the OHU, you will see an Occupational Health Adviser and confidential advice given.  No information will be passed to anyone about this unless you provide permission for us to do so. 

Self-referrals are not helpful if action by your manager or the University is expected. In order for them to know about health matters and work, the management referral process to OHU should be used and you can discuss this with your line or HR manager.  If it is a safety concern with health implications, you can also approach the Safety advisers within SEPS. 

The Occupational Health Service does not diagnose or treat non-occupational conditions which should be referred to your General Practitioner.

All current University of Glasgow policies can be found on the Human Resources web pages.

Disability Service for Staff

The new Disability Service for Staff was launched at the end of May 2010. To access the support available at the Disability Service, your first step is to contact Occupational Health. We can advise you about any adjustments which may be appropriate and refer you to the Disability Service. Please contact us either by telephone or email.

Sick note to fit note – helping people stay in work

The new Fit Note (which replaced the Sick Note on the 6 April 2010) has been designed to help peple to return to work more smoothly. Further information about the fit note for employees can be found here on the Directgov web site. Human Resources also have more information on their web pages.

• What is a "fit note"?

New and expectant mothers who work

The Pregnant Worker Guide from the Health and Safety Executive helps answer some of the questions you may have about continuing to work while pregnant or about returning to work after giving birth. In particular, it sets out what action you need to take and what action your employer should take to protect your health and safety and that of your child. The forms and some further information can be accessed from the SEPS web pages.

The Pregnant Worker Risk Assessment Form should be completed by your line manager and forwarded to the safety co-ordinator in your School/Institute/College/Service. Appropriate steps should be taken, where necessary to avoid risk.

Safety and Environmental Protection Service (SEPS)

The Safety and Environmental Protection Services (SEPS) assists the University in integrating safe working practices into its activities. SEPS monitors these activities and provides advice on routes designed to ensure that the University complies with health and safety and environmental legislation. In addition to members of staff who are able to advise on a wide range of general topics, SEPS can provide specialist advice on fire, biological and chemical safety. More information on SEPS and the role within the University can be found here.

• Working with PCs and Computer equipment.
• Information about latex allergies.
• Information about eyesight tests for Display Screen Equipment (DSE) users.

Needlestick Injury/Contamination Incident

In the event of a Needlestick Injury/Contamination Incident, information can be found via Needlestick Injury/Contamination Incident

Occupational Health Confidentiality Statement

The service is medically confidential. Medical records are securely stored in line with the data protection requirements and only accessible to Occupational Health staff.  All Occupational Health staff adhere to a strict code of ethics in relation to the confidentiality of all consultations, telephone contact and the maintenance of medical records.

The only exception to this rule is where an individual has refused consent but the OH adviser is ordered to disclose information by a court of law.  Without exception the administrative members of Occupational Health will not divulge any information on any matter about any individual seen in Occupational Health to a third party.

Reports to management concerning an individual's fitness for work will always be discussed and agreed with the individual concerned prior to sending the report.  This advice should be treated by the recipient as sensitive personal data in respect of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the University Policy on Data Protection.  This means that the advice can be shared by the recipient only and with the individual's consent with others who have a legitimate need to know eg, because they will be responsible for implementing adjustments in the workplace.

Access to files from the former University Health Service

University Health Service patient files were moved to Glasgow University Archive Services (GUAS) on 31 July 2009, on the creation of the new Occupational Health Unit, and all records are now held in the University Records Centre (URC). More information about this and how to access your files can be found here at Access to UHS / OHU records