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!