FAQ

These health assessments are performed to check for any pre-existing conditions an employee may have that may implications for the type of work that he or she can do. In this way, a baseline status of the workers’ health is established and this allows recommendations to be made regarding tasks jobs they may need to undertake, what restrictions on work may be required, what accommodations may be necessary in the workplace, and also avoids the worker being put in a situation that could aggravate a condition they may already have. It also allows a comparison to be made should the worker develop any subsequent health problems.

EHA Limerick provides same day turnaround time for basic health assessment and drug testing results. More extensive health assessments and particularly those that require extra tests such as blood tests, or where a GP or other medical report may be requested may take slightly longer but we will indicate this to you at the time.

Drug testing is performed for a number of different reasons. Most often it is performed at pre-employment for safety critical positions to ensure that the staff member is safe to do the job and not putting either his or her own life or the lives or health of others at excess risk. Drug testing may also be performed on a random basis, usually in safety sensitive jobs, as well as in certain “for cause” situations where it may be possible that drugs or substances have contributed to an accident or incident.

The comprehensive health assessment gives you a personal health baseline and specific advice on how you can maximise your health and prevent illness. A combination of medical assessment, blood tests and other special tests such as stress testing allow us to help identify the warning signs of illness. Your results will be discussed with you on the day and a full report will follow with specific advice.

In short, Yes. At our clinics we maintain a complete and comprehensive range of vaccinations in stock and this allows us to offer companies a “one stop” approach and avoid the need as far as possible for recurring visits and prescriptions.

If you are not sure what type of assessment you need then it would be best to call us first-our staff will be happy to discuss your particular requirements. You can make a referral on line, by email and by telephone. Client companies have the advantage of on line access to our appointments system which makes the process very efficient. Remember the more information that you can provide to us before the assessment the better and this will allow us to provide a more detailed and relevant answer to your particular query.

Booking individual appointments:

To book an appointment, please visit our Book Appointments page where you can download a Management Referral Form:

Health surveillance can include a number of assessments depending on the risk identified by your employer.

Examples include; Hearing/ noise conservation, respiratory surveillance, skin (Dermatitis), Eyesite (VDU), Colour vision and Night worker.

Depending on the type of health surveillance you have been sent for, but in general you can expect:

When you attend our clinic your register at reception and will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. You will have the opportunity to complete this in the waiting room. You will then be called by a nurse who will complete your assessment, your assessment will entail some or all of the following:

• Questionnaire review
• Urinalysis
• Height, weight
• Blood pressure
• Hearing test
• Vision screening/Colour vision
• Drugs of abuse screening (which is a urine collection)
• Spirometry (lung function test)
• Blood screening depending on the type of screening required
• Immunisation/vaccination (depending on your role and requirements by employer)
• Skin assessment (depending on your role and requirements by employer)

A doctor will review you with all those results and determine based on the information provided and the nurses assessment your fitness for employment. The doctor may ask you more questions or request further test if necessary.

A report will be sent to your employer outline the outcome of your assessment in relation to fitness for employment.

For a health surveillance we would always advise employees that they should expect to be here 60-90 minutes.

When you attend our clinic your register at reception and will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. You will have the opportunity to complete this in the waiting room. You will then be called by a nurse who will complete your assessment, your assessment will entail some or all of the following:

• Questionnaire review
• Urinalysis
• Height, weight
• Blood pressure
• Hearing test
• Vision screening/Colour vision
• Drugs of abuse screening which is a urine collection
• Spirometry (lung function test)
• Blood screening depending on the type of screening requested
• Immunisation/vaccination depending on role and requirement of employer

A doctor will review you with all those results and determine based on the information provided and the nurses assessment your fitness for employment. The doctor may ask you more questions or request further test if necessary.

A report will be sent to your employer outline the outcome of your assessment in relation to fitness for employment.

The length of your appointment will depend on what has been requested by your employer but we wold anticipate an appointment time of 40- 60 minutes as you will see both nurse and doctor so there may be delay between each.

You will have been referred confidentially to EHA Limerick by your manager known as management referral to review you in relation to your fitness to return to work, the assessment will be with one of our specialist doctors. You will register at reception and you will be asked to wait in the waiting room, the doctor will collect you from there. During your assessment, the doctor will discuss your reasons for your referral to EHA Limerick and take a full history (medical and about your role). Once the doctor has completed their assessment they will determine your fitness to return to work. Sometimes they are unable to give your manager a decision on the day as they may need to get further information from your GP or specialist. You will be asked to give your written consent to make that communication and to allow your GP/Specialist to provide that information.

The length of your appointment would be anticipated to be 30-60 minutes.

Your employer will be provided with a report in relation to your fitness to work. This may include work place amendments to support you to remain at work if required.  The medical information disclosed to the doctor during your assessment will remain and not disclosed to your employer except in exceptional circumstances and with your consent.

When you are referred to occupational health we are only doing a medical assessment. Doctors can only make a medical assessment. They are not here to mediate and cannot verify or otherwise that work issues are the causation of your health issues. Non-medical issues, for example stress at work and bullying, cannot be assessed but rather medical status. Our role is to look at your health problems, and how you can be supported you through them, which may include amendments to your work situation.

Spirometry is the most common of the lung function tests. These tests look at how well your lungs work. Spirometry shows how well you breathe in and out. Breathing in and out can be affected by lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.

It is a test that is often used in the occupational health assessments for monitoring how your lungs are working and if there has been any damage to your lung function from work (known as respiratory sensitisers). It is often used in pre-employment to see what someone’s lung function is and as a baseline for ongoing monitoring.

If it has not already been done, you will have your weight and height measured. For the spirometry, itself, you need to breathe into the spirometer machine. First you breathe in fully and then seal your lips around the mouthpiece of the spirometer. You then blow out as fast and as far as you can until your lungs are completely empty. This can take several seconds.

You will be asked to complete a form and consent to participate in the screening. It is important to remember that if you are taking prescribed medication or taken any over the counter medication that you declare it at time of completing the consent form. You will be asked to provide a urine in a pot and the results are almost instantaneous and you will be provided with the result during your assessment.

That will depend on your employer. If you are already employed it is suggested, you speak to your HR department and know what your company Drug and alcohol policy. Corporate Health Ireland have a duty to report that you failed to complete all requirements. The outcome will depend on your employer’s policy.