Employee Referrals

This page is for employees of the University of Huddersfield. If you are a student from the School of Human and Health Sciences please use the following link Human & Health Sciences. If you are a student from the School of Education & Professional Development please use the following link Education & Professional Development.  

Confidentiality

Individual employee Occupational Health records are maintained in strictest confidence. No clinical information is disclosed in Occupational Health reports unless it is pertinent to the advice being provided to management. 

Health information is kept confidential within the department and will only be released with the full knowledge and consent of the employee.  However there are legal reasons where this would have to be breached as detailed in the Occupational Health Policy.

Management referral

There are various mechanisms that can trigger an employee referral to the Occupational Health team. These are given in the University's Human Resources Policies and Procedures and may include aspects of the policy for Monitoring and Managing Sickness Absence. An individual may have concerns about this process.  It is advisable to discuss it with your line manager and / or the Personnel Officer responsible for your work area. A referral request is initially made by a manager to the Human Resources team who send them a Management Referral form and other necessary documents for completion. The reasons for referral are discussed between the individual and their line manager and the employee is provided with a copy. 

The individual is sent confirmation of an appointment to see the most appropriate member of the Occupational Health team and this is copied to the referring manager and the Personnel Officer. Following this appointment, a report advising on the individuals fitness to work is sent to the relevant manager(s) and to Personnel Services.

Occupational Health advice may include

• recommended adjustments to facilitate ongoing work or a return to work
• referral to other specialists
• whether further consultations are required with the Occupational Health Service and at what frequency

A copy of the report is usually also provided to the employee.  

Self Referral

Before requesting a self referral appointment please read the following information: 

Examples where employees may wish to consult the department include when he / she:

• believes that their psychological health is at risk and does not feel able to talk to their manager or the available stress resources have not helped
• experiences tingling sensations in their wrists and forearms and uses Display Screen Equipment regularly each working day 

For cases of workplace injury, assistance should be sought from the local First Aider in the first instance. 

The following issues should be brought to the attention of your line manager before a referral takes place:

• bouts of back pain and their daily routines involve moving and  handling
• contact with irritant substances has noticed areas of skin on their hands becoming red and itchy

The following types of problems should be taken to your General Practioner:

• minor ailments, colds, sore throats, blood pressure monitoring etc

Employees who wish to self refer should complete this Self Referral Form in order that the Occupational Health team can provide you with the most appropriate assistance / advice for your individual situation.

Should you require further advice regarding the referral process please contact the Occupational Health Department.

The Occupational Health Nursing Adviser will undertake an initial consultation with the employee.  It may be recommended at this stage that the employee is referred to an Occupational Health Medical Adviser and / or their own General Practioner.

A workplace visit may be recommended and / or consultation with the employee's line manager, a member of the Office of Health and Safety team or other specialist agencies. These will be instigated only after a full discussion with, and with the agreement of the individual.