An occupational health consultation is a confidential discussion, usually followed by a short assessment, that looks at how a health condition affects someone's ability to work, and what might help. It is not a general medical check-up, and it does not diagnose or treat conditions, it focuses specifically on the interaction between health and work.
Employers usually request a consultation to get impartial advice on a specific employee situation, most often a management referral. Individuals sometimes request their own consultation directly, for example to prepare for a difficult conversation with an employer or to get an independent view before a tribunal or appeal.
Who this is for
- HR teams and managers needing advice before a referral or a difficult conversation
- Employees invited to attend a consultation as part of a management referral
- Individuals seeking their own independent occupational health opinion
- Anyone unsure whether their situation needs a formal assessment or a shorter advisory call
What's included
A consultation typically covers a review of the relevant health information, a discussion of how it affects work, and either practical advice on the spot or a referral into a fuller assessment (for example a management referral or fitness-for-work assessment) if one is needed. Where a written report is required, that is agreed and scoped before the consultation goes ahead.