New safety measures for your most ‘at risk’ staff

Express Medicals has today announced the expansion of our remote doctor-led service, Express Consultations.

The move comes following customer feedback from clients who need regular medical assessments for staff with long-term sickness records, or regular or recurring health issues, but who don’t want to put them at risk in the current environment.

Express Consultations can be delivered via the remote Zoom network, via PC, tablet or mobile. That means companies and individuals can access expert medical opinion from our qualified team of doctors and Occupational Health Advisors without the need for staff to travel to face-to-face meetings with medical professionals, with the increased risk for those with underlying medical conditions.

“We have dozens of management referral cases every week; employers need medical staff to assess their staff with a variety of long-term sickness issues to meet statutory requirements,” explains Dr Dan Hegarty, Chief Executive Officer of Express Medicals Ltd, one of the UK’s leading occupational health providers.

“Usually, staff would be asked to come in to one of our clinics to meet a doctor or nurse, as appropriate, and undergo an assessment. That means we can recommend steps an employee can take to improve their health or advise employers on necessary actions/improvements with recommendations on employees’ fitness to work. This assessment might also result in our assessing eligibility for retirement on the grounds of ill health.

“Understandably, many of our clients are worried about the implications of staff members with underlying health issues having to travel into public spaces – so we’ve responded quickly with the Express Consultations offer.”

Companies who would usually book a range of management referrals can now book a virtual timeslot for staff to meet an Express Medicals’ doctor or OHA online to undergo an assessment*.

“We use Zoom software as it’s easy to access on the full range of mobile devices,” Dr Hegarty continues. “The process is exactly the same as a face-to-face consultation: our team takes the staff member through the assessment and produces a report either on the day or by the end of the next day at the latest.

“We all need to be responsible at times like this and need to take actions to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. The Director General of the World Health Organisation has said this is a preventable pandemic – and we’re working hard to play our part in that prevention. These remote assessments will reassure those with long-term conditions that they don’t have to put themselves at risk to get an assessment.”

Dr Alex Wilson-Jones is one of Express Medicals’ most experienced doctors, who regularly delivers assessments as part of the Express Consultations process.

“We believe that most Management Referrals can be conducted either via Zoom or by phone,” she explains. “Our experience tells us that more than 90% of the assessments companies need can be delivered in this way, keeping staff safe while maintaining companies’ health records.”

Express Consultations can be booked during normal office hours, from Monday – Friday. For more information ring us on 0207 500 6900 .