SPECIALIST COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

Critical evaluation the role of the specialist community public health nurse within the occupational health setting



Critical evaluation the role of the specialist community public health nurse within the occupational health setting

Introduction

Pre-Employment Screenings (PES) are developed to assess a person's functional capability to perform the physical demands and inherent requirements of the job. The benefits may include assisting to match the right person for the right job, reduced risk of workplace injuries, provision of a documented baseline of health and physical capacity and reduction of the impact of health-related problems on profit and productivity.

Employers are able to nominate the assessments that are required and these are then designed based on the physical job description supplied. As part of the screening, a range of tests can be conducted including physical capacity testing, medical testing, spirometry testing, audiometry testing, drug and alcohol testing and blood testing. The increase in prevalence of long-term conditions (LTCs)? largely due to the rising elderly population and lifestyle behaviors? is a major public health issue. Globally? the challenge for governments is finding effective health care solutions to manage the rising burden of chronic conditions. In the United Kingdom (UK)? there is a drive by the government to manage more effectively individuals with long-term conditions in primary care. This includes emphasizing self-care with patients becoming experts at managing their own condition (Forbes? 2009? 120-131). The National Health Service (NHS) Improvement Plan sets out the government's strategy for improving care of people with long-term conditions by moving towards a patient-centered approach.

It is recommended that care should be focused in primary care settings but with improved partnerships and communications across all health and social care agencies. The burden on the UK health care system in both primary and secondary care is high. It is estimated that 30% of individuals who report having a long-term condition (LTC)? accounts for 52% of all GP appointments? 65% of all outpatient appointments and 72% of inpatient days (Forbes? 2009? 120-131). Exacerbations of conditions? such as respiratory diseases often lead to hospitalization of individuals? which has economic implications for the NHS.

The aim of screening is to:

Identify the work related health risks of the proposed employment

Advise managers on the prospective employees' fitness for the job requirements

Advise on the requirement for health surveillance or screening in relation to a particular job role

Advise, where necessary, on any reasonable adjustments to the work content or environment that may be required in the light of a medical condition or a disability as defined under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Routine pre-employment screening is undertaken on the following staff groups:

Technical staff, manual staff, food handlers and laboratory staff.

Staff working with human blood, tissues or bodily fluids

Staff working with laboratory allergens, genetically modified organisms or dangerous pathogens

Drivers.

N.B.Staff with patient contact will also require occupational health clearance from the relevant NHS Trust to ensure compliance with the Trust's infection control policies and associated health screening ...