Dilemma: Outsourcing occupational health

The case for and against

Summary:

Is occupational health more efficiently and effectively delivered as an in-house or outsourced service?

JENNY LEESER

Outsourced OH services are cost-effective and ensure clinical governance, continuity of service and independence.

There are both clinical and non-clinical advantages to using an external provider to deliver a company’s occupational health (OH) services. Outsourced provision of OH is more demonstrably independent, which is a key factor in the management of cases. So that means the service may be better trusted by employees, leading.…

Dr Jenny Leeser is clinical director and consultant occupational physician for Bupa Health and Wellbeing..

 

RICHARD HERON

In-house OH professionals know the workplace and are unfettered by short-termism.

The primary purpose of occupational health (OH) professionals is to reduce risk to the health of employees, contractors and others affected by work. This may be achieved through their direct actions, or indirectly through influence of management. Excellence supports the delivery of a significant goal: a healthy, engaged and productive workforce for the mutual benefit.…

Dr Richard JL Heron is chief medical officer and vice-president health at BP.

Author: Leeser J, Heron R

Tags oh nursing oh physicians oh policies oh technicians outsourcing professional practice

Occupational Health at Work June/July 2012 (vol. 09/1) pp32-33

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