RPS Occupational Health
A. RPS are a leading, global professional services consultancy. RPS Occupational Health have an extensive mix of clinical resource to support workplace health and safety in a growing and resource scarce world. Making complex easy for our clients and our people is what we do. We solve problems that matter confidently and pragmatically. We are united in the belief that we are stronger together. Underlying everything we do is a wining mindset on absolute delivery for our people, clients, and communities.
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A. RPS Occupational Health Service (OHS) employs nurses and doctors who are accountable to both the NMC and GMC. Clinical governance is a system through which OHS demonstrates its accountability for continuously improving and safeguarding the quality of services and care delivered particularly by nurses and doctors, by creating an environment to enable this. All practitioners are managed by a line manager who is a health professional. The Medical Director, Clinical Director, Head of Clinical Governance and designated clinical representatives form The Clinical Governance Team. The Governance teams regularly update procedures in line with guidance from HSE.
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A. RPS are accredited to the following standards:
As many of our employees are clinicians we also stay updated with guidance from the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM); with one of our Physicians recently being appointed as FOM President. All clinicians have the appropriate registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Medical Council (GMC) and undertake regular professional development training internally and externally. We also remain updated with guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as an Occupational Health provider. RPS also have a number of Physicians that are registered to undertake Appointed Doctor work and Oil and Gas Medicals.
A. Best practice recommends that all employees are provided with a medical declaration upon being offered a role. They use this declaration to let you know if they have any medical conditions that may have an impact upon their work. If they do not declare anything then occupational health screening is not required. If the employee is going to require health surveillance or fitness for work medicals as part of their role then they would require a medical.
A. One of the primary functions of Occupational Health is to provide employers with an independent view on the employee’s health status and their ability to perform their role, so the employer can make an informed decision regarding that employee. Occupational Health provides advice to the referrer on how to most effectively and safely rehabilitate employees back to their full working potential; however, the management of this process remains with the Employer. It is vital that you use the service in line with your policies and procedures to ensure that Occupational Health are involved with a case at the most appropriate point to ensure the individual employee returns to work as quickly as possible. Musculo-skeletal and mental wellbeing issues often respond better to early referral, allowing the rehabilitation process to commence quickly. Early intervention enables a more successful outcome. Short term absence is usually dealt with more effectively through existing management processes/procedures unless there is a genuine concern of an underlying health condition.
A. Occupational Health does not provide treatment or diagnoses of individuals as this function remains with the Primary Health Team and the individual’s GP. Occupational Health does not make medical diagnoses or give treatment advice to employees. It is the treating physician who provides this i.e. a GP or hospital consultant. The role of Occupational Health is to provide advice on the presenting medical condition and its effects on the capability of the employee, their safety in the workplace and that of others. Employers will be advised on the impact that the medical condition may have on effectiveness and reliability at work. During any consultation an OH clinician will seek confirmation from the individual of their diagnosis and treatment and explore the effect of these with relevance to recovery and capability.
A. Management referrals, also known as sickness absence referrals, are usually required where there has been a period of absence, a return following surgery or any situation where the health of an employee can, or may be, having an impact on their work. Medical assessment requests are a request for a health surveillance assessment or a fitness for work assessment (e.g. Breathing Apparatus wearers medical). Management referrals allow you to assess how a person health is impacting upon their work; whereas medicals health surveillance assesses the impact of the working environment upon employee health.
A. RPS manage appointments in a number of ways. Most management referrals can be carried out remotely, although some conditions may require a physical examination. We appreciate that allowing time to travel to an appointment unnecessarily impacts upon your business and we minimise this where possible. There are certain elements of medicals that cannot be undertaken remotely, such as drug and alcohol screening. RPS will work with you to find a solution that fits your business requirements.
A. Yes. RPS offer onsite appointments where there are suitable facilities to enable this. Alternatively, we also have a fleet of mobile screening units to support onsite delivery. We work within companies such as construction, where there are no onsite facilities at all. Contact us to enquire about our mobile screening services.
A. If you have a number of employees, however big or small, we can organise a contract to enable you to book services and be invoiced separately. Please contact use the contact form within the website or email RPSOccHealth@rpsgroup.com to find out more.
A. Before you are able to make any bookings within the system the team at RPS will need to register you. This allows us to control who can make bookings and supports data security. If you are part of an RPS client and would like to use the system but are not currently registered please contact your usual project mailbox, or use the contact us form within the website. A member of the team will verify that you can have access to the system and send you a link to get you registered – It won’t take long and you will only need to do this once.
A. Depending of the activity of your work or company will dictate if you require a licensed or unlicensed asbestos medical. The HSE dictate which asbestos removal activities require a licensed professional to undertake medicals. If you are unsure please contact them to confirm. RPS have a number of Appointed Doctors that can undertake both types of medical.
A. Yes. Your appointment can be amended or cancelled up to two days prior to the scheduled date. We understand that things can happen in business and personally that mean that appointments have to be moved. Appointments can be cancelled or amended within the booking system, but if you’re having trouble with this please contact us directly and we can provide support.
A. Yes. If you cancel outside of the cancellation terms, then a charge will apply for the appointment that was not attended. If you need to book again, or to book further appointments for different services then you can do so via the booking system.
A. RPS welcome all feedback. If you have a problem with the service, or if you would like to share your positive experiences you can use the feedback option on the right. Alternatively, please contact RPSOccHealth@rpsgroup.com
A. Our team are available should you require any technical support with our systems during standard office hours. Please contact ehealthsupport@rpsgroup.com or call 0845 6062613