P33
LEADING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH INTO THE FUTURE: OPENING DOORS TO A VARIETY OF PRACTITIONERS
K. McDowall, Newcastle OHS, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
Leading Occupational Health into the future by opening doors to a variety of practitioners is essential to achieve sustainable Occupational Health Service (OHS) provision to workforces.
This model encompasses the NHS England GrowOHWB initiative and the Department of Work and Pension’s project to support wider knowledge and understanding of what Occupational Health (OH) is, and what it can do to improve the working lives of those in the UK.
Aims
- To widen access to a variety of practitioners
- To effectively utilise skills and resources of other practitioners
- To grow a multi-professional team
Methods
An inclusive approach was taken to other practitioners becoming integrated into an NHS OHS. In 2020 as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of practitioners were redeployed to this OHS including midwives and research nurses. This has embedded our “open door” approach to recruitment such that staff do not need to have any prior OH experience.
Student nurses and physiotherapists continue to rotate to the department. This year a paramedic has joined the team to undertake on-commencement assessments, immunisations and venepuncture.
A speciality registrar, employed by the Royal Navy, has been incorporated into the team along with the expansion of the General Practice (GP) registrar rotations.
Results
Qualitative feedback of the above practitioners will be presented.
Conclusion
Opening doors to other practitioners has widened access to working in the complex system that is OH. As a large NHS OHS with an established training and development programme, this has provided an ideal supportive setting.
References:
Growing occupational health and wellbeing together: our roadmap for the future
Accessed via: NHS England » Growing occupational health and wellbeing together: our roadmap for the future (Last accessed 20 01 2024)
