Occupational Heath Referral Advice

[firstclassx]

If a line-manager refers you to see a Occupational Health "advisor/doctor/specialist", regarding a (potential) medical issue/restriction, can you insist on the gender of the "advisor/doctor/specialist"?

 

i.e. If I'm male, can I insist on a male advisor/doctor/specialist, if I'd find it easier to talk to a male?

 

If you can insist, what legislation exists?

 

(Employment contract is silent on this issue)

[lbruk]

Occy Health are there you help you, I don't understand why you would find it difficult to speak to them. But i guess you can ask for a specific sex of doctor, there wont be anything in a contract about this, its not something a contract of employment would state.

[firstclassx]

Occy Health are there you help you, I don't understand why you would find it difficult to speak to them. But i guess you can ask for a specific sex of doctor, there wont be anything in a contract about this, its not something a contract of employment would state.

 

The issue I have is that my employer also owns the company that operates the Occupational Health scheme, and it CERTAINLY isn't as confidential as it should be. They share the same office/benefits/facilities etc...

 

The one (female) doctor is based permanently on site with an office, but is seemingly good friends with one of my line managers. The set up is very much designed to benefit the company, rather than the employee.

 

I also have a medical condition where I would prefer to discuss with another male, rather than a female. As there isn't a male advisor/doctor etc, that means I have no other choice except to speak to the female, which I am uncomfortable with.

[rambo]

The issue I have is that my employer also owns the company that operates the Occupational Health scheme, and it CERTAINLY isn't as confidential as it should be. They share the same office/benefits/facilities etc...

 

The one (female) doctor is based permanently on site with an office, but is seemingly good friends with one of my line managers. The set up is very much designed to benefit the company, rather than the employee.

 

I also have a medical condition where I would prefer to discuss with another male, rather than a female. As there isn't a male advisor/doctor etc, that means I have no other choice except to speak to the female, which I am uncomfortable with.

 

Same at my company.

I know the doctor should be impartial and fair, but...................................

[lbruk]

Yes, most occupational health doctors are paid by the company. Can't you get a report from your GP? And then compare the one from OC?

[stu007]

Hi

 

Further to comments above as the Occupational Health come under the Medical Profession it is the same as going to your GP and requesting that either a male/female doctor or nurse sees you.

 

In my Opinion yes you can request either a male or female Occupational Health.

[CaptainMannering]

Occy Health are there you help you, I don't understand why you would find it difficult to speak to them. But i guess you can ask for a specific sex of doctor, there wont be anything in a contract about this, its not something a contract of employment would state.

 

This is not specifically true. Occ Health are a part of the business and paid very good salaries by the company. They should be impartial but they will always support the companies view. Mine even tried to overrule my own GP!

 

They will not give an impartial decision IMO. I was referred to an Occ Health Doctor, who diagnosed me over th PHONE without ever seeing or meeting me!! Then 2 days later I was diagnosed by my own GP who completely disagreed with the 'telephone doctor'