The job
Key duties, working pattern and the demands that matter to the referral.
Occupational health
Use Occupational Health to answer a work question, not to collect a medical report.
Occupational Health can help when health is affecting work, a return is difficult to plan, or an employer needs job-focused advice about support and adjustments.
The pathway
Referral is only one step.
The useful sequence is consent, referral, assessment, report, action and review.
- 01DiscussExplain why OH may help and get the person's agreement.
- 02ReferDescribe the job, the work problem and the questions you need answered.
- 03AssessThe OH professional considers health in relation to work.
- 04ReportRelevant recommendations are shared with permission.
- 05ActTurn useful advice into workplace changes or a return plan.
- 06ReviewCheck whether the changes are helping.
What to include
Give enough work context for a useful answer.
Acas advises employers to include the job, relevant fit notes, absence history, support already tried and specific questions about the condition at work.
What has happened
Relevant absence, fit-note advice and support or adjustments already tried.
The question
What decision does the manager need help with: return, adjustments, safe duties or staying at work?
Consent and privacy
The worker needs to understand the purpose of the assessment.
Acas says an employer can ask a worker to agree to an occupational-health assessment. The worker does not have to agree, and the OH adviser must ask for permission before sharing the report with the employer.
Free referral builder
Generate sharper questions before you refer.
Choose the referral reason, the type of work and the person's current work status. The tool builds a practical information checklist and questions for Occupational Health.