INTO Equality Conference March 5th 2010

Presentation

Medmark

General concepts: Disability and reasonable accomodation

Pre-employment assessments

Occupational health assessments

Ill health retirement assessments

Medmark

Experience– Specialists, 1991, large no. & variety of companies.

Background in educational sectorQualifications– Specialists, MFOM/FFOM, training practice

Personnel– experienced OHPs, OHAs– efficient admin staff

Location– All surgeries are close to city centres, easily accessible

by public transport.

Why is ‘medical fitness to teach’ an issue?

Health, safety and well-being of teachers, students & colleagues

Manage any risk to the health of teachers which may arise from their teaching duties.

To enable all teachers, including those with disabilities, can achieve their potential within the bounds of reasonable adjustment.

General concepts

Impairment, Disability & Handicap

Legislative context

The Employment Equality Act 1998

The Equality Act 2004

“Disproportionate burden”

Nature, cost,benefit, finances,disruption

Size matters

DoE Vs BOM as employer

Pre-employment Assessments

- Web-based health declaration- www.medmark4teachers.ie - High volume activity- Typically fit and health applicants- Not a screening tool to exclude from employment- Quite the opposite- Exceptional to find someone “unfit” to teach- Occasional requirement to seek accommodated duties

Pre-employment Assessments

- Web-based health declaration- www.medmark4teachers.ie - Candidate submits an on-line health questionnaire - Candidates may be passed as fit for employment- Physician may contact candidate for further info- Candidate may need to attend one of our regional centres- Decision will be delivered directly to the school / VEC- Information disclosed will be limited

Occupational Health Assessment

- School management referral- www.medmark4teachers.ie - Discretionary Vs Non-Discretionary- Delay in referral- Teacher attends Medmark- Teacher is assessed by an occupational health

physician- Physician issues recommendations to the

employer.

Case examples

Medmark sees itself as an advocate for those with disabilities seeking workplace accommodationExamples include

Voice amplification White board technology Classroom layout & facilities Validating necessary medical absences Dust extraction in woodwork classroom Subject rotation Wheelchair access

Medmark is working on a select number of cases to develop a system of using sick leave entitlement to facilitate a phased return to work

Problems for us include Size of some schools Delay in referral Impact on others, precedent for others Seasonal nature of disability “Medicalisation” of HR/IR issues

Stress

Rapid increase in certification

“work related stress”

Potent cert

Externalisation of problem

May not reflect complexity of situation

May indicate a HR/IR problem

Medical illness the cause and not the outcome

EAS, available but very low uptake

Ill-Health Retirement Assessments

Measure of last resort

Requires permanent and total disability

All treatment options explored

All workplace accommodations considered

Not to solve HR/IR issues

Medmark opinion

Appeal process

Any questions?

Thank You!