Further to TUI’s update on Thursday (27th August 2020), the TUI sought and received clarification from the DES regarding how the Occupational Health Service (i.e. Medmark) completes risk assessments for staff returning to the workplace in terms of COVID-19.
Initial Procedure:
- a detailed questionnaire is submitted to Medmark. Detailed medical evidence to provide further clarity with respect to the medical complaints in question is also submitted. All of this information is reviewed by a specialist occupational health physician, with care and detailed consideration. This includes an assessment of the combined and cumulative risk that can arise when an individual suffers from more than one health condition. The risk assessment is comprehensive and follows the same process that is being applied across other sectors. There is nothing happening in Education that is new or different from other places of employment.
- The outcome of the risk categorisation is in large measure governed by the HSE guidance. However, Medmark retains the discretion to place someone into the higher risk group if they feel they have more than one complaint and that their combination of risks warrants a higher categorisation. No individual is placed at a lower level of risk than that set out by the HSE standards.
- There is an obligation on the employer to examine the COVID-19 Response Plan in the school and ensure that all appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place.
Review Procedure
Where an individual feels that they have been placed in an incorrect risk category, a review process has been put in place by Medmark.
- Members should email Medmark to request a review as follows:
- Members send an email to cork@medmark.ie
- In the Subject box they type in “Risk Assessment Review”
- You may attach additional medical evidence should you wish to do so and should include your name and date of birth in the email
- The review will be undertaken by a team of four specialist occupational physicians who re-evaluate the medical evidence and deliver a consensus opinion on the risk categorisation. If someone is considered borderline, Medmark indicates that it is highly likely they will be given higher categorisation.