GPs and Health Services

For a busy GP or health professional it’s natural to concentrate on diagnosis and appropriate forms of treatment. So much so that it sometimes unintentionally overlooks the fact that the employer, the manager and the colleagues may need support too.

Communication between employers and health professionals can be crucial in providing the right support, developing a return to work plan and addressing the broader issues of helping line managers, colleagues and others involved. Common difficulties reported by employers and health services alike concern patient confidentiality. Nothing should be disclosed without consent and confidentiality is of vital importance. This issue can affect the response from a GP to a letter from an employer. It can also mean that an Occupational Health Advisor who may be unable to disclose certain facts to the Personnel/HR Officer. Thus managers may be unaware of particular support needs. Owners of small businesses, who may not be able to access much in the way of any additional help, also face similar issues in supporting their staff.

MINDFUL EMPLOYER^® will disseminate examples of good practice and seek to help employers understand the role of the GP and enable health professionals to become more involved in work-related issues. This will have benefits not just for the employee/patient in terms of more ‘joined up’ care. For the GP it enables access to other sources of advice and support, enhanced recovery for patients and potentially reduced medication costs. For the employer it means the right kind of support can be put in place for the employee concerned – and also that the needs of managers and colleagues can be addressed in an appropriate way.

Working for Health
'Working for Health’ conferences took place in May & December 2006 and brought together GPs and employers. This document (which is a revision of the one published in May 2006) brings together some of the common issues raised by delegates about links between GPs and employers and in managing sickness absence together. It offers statements on good practice and suggestions to assist in building on and improving current procedures.

Guide for Registered Medical Practitioners
This publication by Dept for Work & Pensions is downloadable as a whole or in sections and includes a wide range of information and advice for GPs including issues regarding fitness for work and case studies. DWP have also produced a range of Desk Aids for GPs on helping patients regarding employment issues.

Health & Work Handbook
A partnership guide for primary care and occupational health teams, this guidance is issued by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine explains the relationship between GPs, occupational health teams, and employers.

Concept of Rehabilitation for the Management of Common Health Problems by Gordon Waddell and A Kim Burton
Published by The Stationery Office, 2004. ISBN 0117033944: available from TSO Bookshops and www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

Practical Occupational Medicine by Raymond Agius, Anthony Seaton et al

Workplace Interventions for People with Common Mental Health Problems
The British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF) have published an evidence review and recommendations. Click on the link to access some key themes which will connect you to the main publication.

More publications and resources can be found on the Information page.