Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about your company doctor, occupational health assessments, confidentiality and how Worklife Medical works.
Occupational health can sometimes feel unfamiliar or complex, particularly for smaller organisations without in-house support.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions employers and managers ask about our services and the occupational health process.
SECTION 1 — YOUR COMPANY DOCTOR
What is a company doctor?
Your company doctor is a qualified Occupational Health Physician who provides independent medical advice about health and work. They help you understand how an employee's health may affect their work, how work may affect their health, and what practical steps may help. With Worklife Medical, you have access to a named doctor who can get to know your business, its jobs and its workplace.
Is a company doctor the same as an employee's GP?
No — and the distinction is important. An employee's GP provides their primary medical care and has an ongoing clinical relationship with them as their patient. An Occupational Health Physician has a different role. They provide independent and impartial medical advice about health and work, considering the employee's health alongside the requirements and risks of their job. Keeping these roles separate helps avoid conflicts of interest. Worklife Medical therefore does not replace an employee's GP or provide their general medical care.
Whose side is the company doctor on?
Neither. Occupational Health Physicians are independent medical professionals. Their role is to provide an impartial medical opinion based on the available information, the employee's health and the requirements of their work. The doctor provides medical advice. Management remains responsible for employment and operational decisions.
Why would a small business need a company doctor?
Large organisations may employ their own Occupational Health Physicians. For most smaller businesses, employing a doctor directly isn't practical. Worklife Medical provides an alternative: access to a named Occupational Health Physician when you need one, without employing one yourself. You can use your company doctor pay as you go or through Company Doctor Membership.
Will we always deal with the same doctor?
That's the model. Continuity means your doctor can build an understanding of your organisation, the work your employees actually do and previous occupational health cases. Where an employee requires review, the aim is for them to return to the doctor who assessed them previously rather than starting again with somebody new.
SECTION 2 — GETTING ADVICE
When should I speak to my company doctor?
Whenever you're unsure whether an employee's health may have implications for their work — or whether their work may have implications for their health. Common examples include:
-
prolonged or repeated sickness absence
-
uncertainty about fitness for work
-
planning a return to work
-
workplace adjustments
-
an employee requesting changes because of a health condition
-
concerns about safety-critical duties
-
uncertainty about medical information provided by an employee
-
concerns that work could be affecting someone's health
You don't necessarily need to make a formal referral.
Can I speak to the doctor before referring an employee?
Yes. That's an important part of the service. Ask Your Company Doctor gives managers and employers direct access to an Occupational Health Physician for a short discussion about a workplace-health situation. Sometimes a formal assessment will be appropriate. Sometimes straightforward occupational health advice is all that's needed.
Do I need to know which service I need?
No. Tell us what is happening and we'll help determine the most appropriate next step. That might be advice to management, an Occupational Health Assessment, a review, a workplace medical — or no occupational health intervention at all.
SECTION 3 — OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
What happens during an Occupational Health Assessment?
Your company doctor will discuss the employee's health, their work, the difficulties they are experiencing and any relevant workplace factors. The doctor then considers the questions raised by management and provides an independent medical opinion. Where appropriate, you'll receive a written occupational health report containing practical advice about matters such as fitness for work, return to work, workplace adjustments and likely timescales.
Do employees have to attend?
Occupational health assessments require the employee's cooperation and consent. An employee can decline an assessment. If they do, the employer may have to make decisions without the benefit of occupational health advice.
Can you diagnose or treat employees?
The purpose of an occupational health assessment is not to replace the employee's GP or treating specialist. Your company doctor may discuss relevant medical conditions and treatment where this helps understand the occupational implications, but their principal role is to advise about health and work. Where appropriate, we may suggest that an employee discusses something further with their GP or treating clinician.
SECTION 4 — REPORTS AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Is the consultation confidential?
Yes. Occupational health consultations are confidential medical consultations. Information is handled in accordance with professional confidentiality requirements and applicable data-protection legislation.
Will I receive the employee's full medical history?
No. An occupational health report should provide the information you reasonably need to manage the workplace situation — not unnecessary medical detail. The emphasis is generally on function rather than diagnosis:
-
What can the employee do?
-
What are they currently struggling with?
-
Are they fit for their role?
-
Could adjustments help?
-
When might their situation change?
Does the employee see the report?
Employees are informed about how their occupational health information will be used and reports are released in accordance with the consent process explained to them. Employees can request to see the report before it is sent to management.
Does the company doctor make the final decision about someone's job?
No. Your company doctor provides an independent medical opinion and recommendations. Decisions about employment, attendance, adjustments, capability, deployment or other management matters remain with the employer.
SECTION 5 — USING WORKLIFE MEDICAL
Do I need a contract or subscription?
No. You can use Worklife Medical on a pay-as-you-go basis. For businesses wanting an ongoing relationship and regular access to their company doctor, Company Doctor Membership is also available.
Are appointments remote or face-to-face?
Most occupational health consultations can be undertaken securely by telephone or video, providing convenient and responsive access. Face-to-face assessment can be arranged where the nature of the assessment requires it.
Do you provide pre-placement assessments and workplace medicals?
Yes. Worklife Medical provides pre-placement health assessments, safety-critical medicals, Group 2/D4 driving medicals and bespoke workplace medical assessments. Your company doctor can advise on the appropriate assessment for the work involved.
Do you only work with businesses in Cheshire and Merseyside?
We have a particular focus on supporting businesses in Cheshire and Merseyside, where a local relationship can be especially valuable. Remote occupational health consultations also allow us to support employers elsewhere in the UK.