An Occupational Health Strategy is in place as a supportive resource for staff and leaders in schools. The aim of this strategy is to promote the health and well-being of employees in the workplace, with a focus primarily on prevention rather than cure. The Occupational Health Strategy comprises the Employee Assistance Service and the Occupational Health Service (OHS).
The OHS is in place to provide employers with occupational health advice in relation to employees’ (teachers, SNAs, and other specific non-teaching staff) medical fitness for work. It incorporates pre-employment health assessments, sickness absence referrals, assessments of medical fitness for work and ill health retirement assessments.
The OHS provider, contracted by the Department, is the sole recognised provider of independent medical advice for employees’ (teachers, SNAs, and other specific non-teaching staff) and employers. The current OHS provider is Medmark Occupational Healthcare Ltd.
Medmark have informed the Department that the premises specified is a ‘listed building’ which is not suitable to be modified to allow for wheelchair access. Medmark therefore have an arrangement in place with a neighbouring building to readily facilitate assessments to those with mobility issues on request.
Medmark is governed by the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Officials in my Department will undertake to raise this issue with them.
