Maximising the Potential of Occupational Health Services with GoodShape

Occupational Health (OH) services are an essential component of a business’ strategy to support employee wellbeing and maintain productivity. However, inefficiencies in how these services are accessed and utilised often lead to unnecessary costs and missed opportunities for early intervention. GoodShape’s absence management software offers a solution to ensure that OH services are deployed effectively, making sure they are neither underutilised nor wasted.

What is Occupational Health?

Occupational Health services are designed to promote and maintain the physical and mental wellbeing of employees in the workplace. They help businesses manage health risks, support employees with health issues, and create healthier work environments. The goal of OH is to prevent work-related illnesses, provide appropriate interventions for health conditions, and ensure that employees are fit to work, either in their existing roles or with adjustments if necessary.

For example, the NHS heavily relies on OH services to support the health and wellbeing of its large workforce. OH teams within the NHS assess and advise on a wide range of issues, from supporting staff returning to work after illness to advising on workplace adjustments and managing stress and mental health conditions. Through its OH services, the NHS ensures that employees are provided with the right support at the right time to remain productive and healthy.

What does Occupational Health do?

Health risk assessments

One of the primary roles of Occupational Health is to assess and manage risks that employees face in the workplace. This includes physical, mental and environmental health risks. OH professionals conduct risk assessments to determine whether personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccinations or other preventive measures are required to keep staff safe.

Example in the NHS:
An NHS nurse working in an infectious disease unit would undergo regular OH assessments to ensure they have up-to-date vaccinations and receive training in proper use of PPE to reduce exposure to potential hazards.

Fitness for work evaluations

OH services assess whether employees are fit to carry out their job roles, especially after an illness or injury. These evaluations determine whether employees can return to work safely or if they need adjustments to their duties. In some cases, OH services recommend phased returns or adjustments, such as reduced hours or ergonomic improvements, to help employees reintegrate into the workplace.

Example in the NHS:
After a period of sickness absence due to back surgery, an NHS surgeon may be referred to OH to evaluate their physical capabilities. OH may recommend a phased return to surgery with limitations on physical tasks to prevent re-injury.

Workplace adjustments and rehabilitation

Occupational Health helps employees return to work after injury or illness by recommending reasonable workplace adjustments. These adjustments may include changes in equipment, flexible working hours, or even relocation to a less physically demanding role. OH professionals work with employers and employees to create individualised rehabilitation plans that facilitate a smooth return to work.

Example in the NHS:
A healthcare assistant with chronic arthritis may be referred to OH for an assessment. Based on the results, OH may recommend that they be assigned to tasks that do not involve heavy lifting or prolonged standing, allowing them to continue working without exacerbating their condition.

Mental health support

Mental health is a significant aspect of Occupational Health, especially in high-stress environments like healthcare. OH services provide mental health assessments and support to employees who may be struggling with stress, anxiety or depression. OH professionals may refer employees to counselling services, stress management workshops, or recommend adjustments to their workload or hours.

Example in the NHS:
An NHS paramedic facing burnout after prolonged exposure to traumatic incidents might seek support through OH services. OH could arrange for mental health counselling and recommend adjustments in shift patterns to allow for recovery and mental wellbeing.

Health surveillance

In industries with specific health risks, such as healthcare, OH services are responsible for ongoing health surveillance to monitor the effects of exposure to workplace hazards. This includes regular health checks, monitoring for symptoms of work-related illnesses, and ensuring employees maintain necessary certifications required to carry out their jobs.

Example in the NHS:
Radiology staff are routinely monitored by OH for potential exposure to radiation. This includes regular health screenings, wearing dosimeters to track exposure, and ensuring safety protocols are followed to minimise risk.

Vaccination and immunisation programmes

For sectors like healthcare, where employees are exposed to infectious diseases, OH manages vaccination programmes to ensure staff are protected. These programmes help prevent the spread of disease within the workplace and protect both staff and patients.

Example in the NHS:
The NHS runs flu vaccination programmes each year for its staff to reduce the risk of flu outbreaks. OH ensures that all front-line healthcare workers receive the flu vaccine to protect themselves and vulnerable patients.

Managing long-term sickness absence

Occupational Health plays a key role in managing long-term sickness absence by assessing the underlying health conditions of employees and determining the best way to facilitate a safe return to work. OH services collaborate with employees and their healthcare providers to create individualised recovery plans.

Example in the NHS:
An NHS employee recovering from long COVID may be referred to OH to determine when and how they can return to work. OH might recommend part-time hours or adjusted duties until the employee regains full strength.

Health and wellbeing promotion

Occupational Health is also responsible for promoting general health and wellbeing in the workplace. This includes running health awareness campaigns; encouraging healthy lifestyle choices; and offering workshops or seminars on stress management, healthy eating and work-life balance.

Example in the NHS:
OH services might run a stress awareness week, offering workshops on mindfulness and stress management techniques to help healthcare workers cope with the high-pressure environment of the NHS.

Inefficiencies in Occupational Health systems

Despite the crucial role that OH services play, many businesses face inefficiencies in how these services are accessed and used. Common problems with traditional Occupational Health software and systems include:

• Overutilisation
  Employees may be referred to OH when it is not necessary, leading to wasted resources and longer waiting times for those who truly need support.
  
  

• Underutilisation
  On the other hand, employees who could benefit from OH services may not be referred, either because managers are unaware of the need or because the referral process is cumbersome.
  
  

• Reactive approach
  Many OH services operate reactively, meaning that employees are only referred after health issues become critical. This can lead to prolonged absence, reduced productivity and increased costs for businesses.
  
  

• Lack of integration
  OH services often function as standalone systems, not integrated with other HR or absence management processes, leading to miscommunication and delays in providing appropriate support.
  
  
  

How GoodShape can optimise Occupational Health referrals

GoodShape’s absence management software is designed to streamline the use of Occupational Health services, ensuring that employees are referred at the right time and for the right reasons. Here’s how:

• Targeted signposting
  GoodShape’s software can track employee health data, absences and reasons for absence in real time. By analysing this data, the system can intelligently flag when an OH referral is necessary and when it is not. This reduces the risk of unnecessary referrals and ensures that OH resources are reserved for employees who truly need them.
  
  
• Proactive health management
  Instead of waiting for health issues to escalate, GoodShape can detect patterns of absenteeism or recurring health concerns early. By identifying these trends, businesses can offer OH interventions at the onset of potential problems, reducing long-term absences and mitigating risks before they affect productivity.
  
  
• Streamlined communication
  GoodShape’s system integrates with OH services and other HR functions, ensuring that communication between managers, HR teams and OH professionals is seamless. This leads to faster, more efficient referrals and better outcomes for employees.

By incorporating GoodShape’s absence management software, businesses can reduce unnecessary OH referrals, saving time and resources, ensure timely intervention for employees who genuinely need OH support, improving health outcomes and reducing absenteeism and enhance productivity by minimising the time employees spend off work due to unresolved health issues.

GoodShape provides businesses with the tools they need to get the most out of their Occupational Health services, ensuring that employees are supported appropriately while maintaining operational efficiency. By making the right interventions at the right time, businesses can reduce absenteeism, lower costs and improve overall employee wellbeing.

Occupational Health services are vital to maintaining a healthy workforce, but their effectiveness depends on how they are used. GoodShape’s absence management software empowers businesses to make smart, data-driven decisions about when to refer employees to OH, avoiding inefficiencies and ensuring that resources are used where they are needed most. With GoodShape, businesses can move toward a more proactive and efficient model of health management, benefiting both employees and the organisation as a whole.

Get in touch with GoodShape today to learn how we can help you make the most of your OH services and boost overall productivity.