Speech from the Chairman of the Occupational Health Committee
Dr Susan Robson
Thursday 1 July 2004
The Committee represents a somewhat disparate group of specialists and non-specialists working within a relatively small and generalist specialty both inside and outside the NHS. Whilst small at present, the numbers are growing year by year as the added value and cost benefits of such services are recognised.
Many of the Committee’s aims and initiatives are long term and therefore ongoing and involve co-operation with colleagues in other crafts.
We welcome the introduction of more consultant-led occupational health services within the NHS. We were pleased that following lobbying by the GPC and ourselves the funding for occupational health services in the primary sector is continuing. However, we remain concerned that despite the examples of obvious need and the cost benefits that such services can provide, the evidence suggests a marked variation not only in take up but in the range of service provision. As a result we must continue to persuade our colleagues and others of the benefits of occupational health.
Additionally, we have been co-operating with the British Dental Association and are pleased to learn that they have been successful in gaining funding to extend occupational health services to dentists in England (as in Scotland).
The ‘Annual Guidance on Occupational Physicians’ Salaries’ (published by the BMA) has been updated to reflect the new contractual arrangements within the NHS. The supplement relates not only to employed doctors but those working as self-employed practitioners and a rapidly increasing number employed by commercial occupational health providers.
The Committee is working to promote the policy of full sickness self-certification with the facility for random audits as with the present tax system. In line with BMA policy we have proposed to the Department for Work and Pensions that the present requirement for sick certification by doctors and its proposed extension to other health care workers should be abandoned and that alternative methods of accessing statutory benefits should be explored. This work is ongoing.
The Committee continues to be concerned by the level of hospital-acquired infection and whilst reassured by recent proposals by the Chief Medical Officer consider that there is still much to do in this area. Additionally we have been active through a number of initiatives such as the Safer Needles Network and those exploring ways of reducing latex sensitivity in protecting the health and safety of employees and patients within the NHS.
The Committee is continuing to work with the Professional Fees Committee in promoting good practice to try to resolve the difficulties often experienced by all concerned in the areas of provision of medical reports to occupational physicians.
In the face of much tragic evidence the Committee continues to lobby for the provision of appropriate mental health support (in line with that proposed by the Committee) for doctors and medical students.
This has proved a very busy year for the Committee and also for BMA staff with our transfer in the Spring from the Superannuation to the Public Health Secretariat.
I would like to express my formal thanks to the Superannuation staff for their valuable help and support over the years and I very much look forward to working with the Public Health Secretariat in the future.