Cordell Health ©
Health and work update for clients as at 8 August 2022
PROMOTING, PROTECTING AND SUPPORTING HEALTH IN WORK
1. Infection rates and Autumn immunisations.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey report as at 5 Aug 2022 shows that COVID-19 infection rates are falling, with 1 in 17 people in Northern Ireland estimated to be infected, 1 in 20 people in Scotland, 1 in 25 in England and 1 in 30 in Wales1.
Immunisation remains highly important in protecting those most vulnerable, and on 15th July the UK Health Security agency (UKHSA) announced that all those over 50 will be offered a booster in the autumn, as well as all health and social care staff and adults who have health conditions that may make them more vulnerable2. These groups will also be eligible for influenza vaccine under NHS arrangements again this winter, as for the last two years.
We recommend Influenza vaccination for all employees. We already have orders from clients for this season. Should other clients wish to have these arranged we suggest contacting the account manager for your contract.
2. Monkeypox.
Monkeypox cases have increased, with almost 2900 cases and highly probable cases in the UK as at 4 Aug 2022 (the majority in England)3. With lower transmissibility than influenza or COVID-19, we continue to advise that monkeypox is not likely to have a significant impact on workplace health, other than for
the small number of employees who might be infected and who will then need to self-isolate for 21 days4.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports that monkeypox is spread by close contact, and the great majority of cases that have been seen so far have been gay, bisexual or other men who have sexwith men. However, anyone can contract this disease, and this has included a small number of women and children.
Immunisations (with smallpox vaccine) are being offered for those most at risk through sexual health clinics5.
1 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 5 August 2022 at:
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/5august2022
2 UKHSA press release dated 15 Jul 2022. Over 50s to be offered COVID-19 booster and flu jab this autumn at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-50s-to-be-offered-covid-19-booster-and-flu-jab-this-autumn
3 Monkeypox cases confirmed in England – latest updates at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/monkeypox-cases-confirmed-in-england-latest-updates
4 UKHSA information on monkeypox at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monkeypox
5 UKHSA update on vaccination for monkeypox at risk groups at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/monkeypox-vaccination-resources/monkeypox-waiting-for-your-vaccination
3. Industry standards in occupational health delivery
Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Services (SEQOHS) is a voluntary standard for all occupational health service providers, run by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM). We ourselves in Cordell Health are SEQOHS accredited.
On behalf of the FOM, I am leading the team that is revising the standards for release in 2023. Following informal consultation, the new standards are being drafted and will be sent out for formal consultation in mid September. I should be very interested in any thoughts you have on that which you expect from occupational health providers, and for which SEQOHS provides assurance. Please send comments to:
consultations@fom.ac.uk . Should you feel it helpful to have a call to discuss the standards, this can be arranged either via this FOM email, or for our clients via our office at: admin@cordellhealth.co.uk .
Information on the current SEQOHS standards can be found at: https://www.seqohs.org/CMS/Page.aspx?PageId=77
4. Fit Notes.
As reported on our last update, guidance on fit notes has been updated6. Since 1st July 2022, fit notes can now be certified and issued by registered nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists, in addition to doctors. We are running a webinar for managers and HR professionals on the Fit Note at 1500 on Tue 13 Sep 2022, a recording of which will also be available to clients. Please register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T1pv_pzCQE62J3wWBZwNnQ.
Dr Robin Cordell
MBA FRCP FFOM
8 August 2022
We continue to provide updates, and maintain resources on our website for employers at: https://cordellhealth.co.uk/ .
6 Government guidance on fit notes at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fit-note
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