Clarify Employee Health Issues with Expert Medical Referrals

In any successful British enterprise, your people are your most valuable asset. Their health, performance, and ability to work safely are intrinsically linked to your organisation’s productivity, culture, and long-term success. However, when complex health issues inevitably arise, they can create challenging and sensitive situations for managers. Issues like declining performance, prolonged or repeated sickness absences, and uncertainty about legal compliance can disrupt operations and impact team morale. This is where an independent medical opinion from a qualified professional becomes an indispensable tool for responsible and effective management.

Cherries Medical Clinic provides a comprehensive, doctor-led service designed to give you absolute clarity and confidence when dealing with employee health issues. We bridge the critical gap between an individual’s wellbeing and the specific demands of their job role. By delivering expert medical advice through clear, concise, and actionable reports, we empower you to understand the true impact of health on work. Our ultimate goal is to help you support your employees effectively, make informed decisions, and confidently navigate your responsibilities under UK employment law, including the Equality Act 2010.

When Should You Consider Arranging an Assessment?

Arranging a specialist medical evaluation is a proactive and supportive management action, not a punitive one. It is the most appropriate step when you require expert clinical insight to inform your decisions and ensure you are acting fairly and reasonably. If you are a manager or HR professional facing any of the following common scenarios, our service can provide the objective guidance you need.

• Managing Persistent or Long-Term Sickness Absence: When an employee is on long-term sick leave or has a pattern of frequent, short-term absences, a clinical review can clarify the underlying medical reality. We help you understand the diagnosis, the likely timescale for recovery, and what can be done to facilitate a healthy and sustainable return. This information is vital for effective sickness absence management.

• Addressing Performance or Capability Concerns: If a previously reliable employee’s performance has declined—perhaps they are struggling with focus, missing KPIs, having difficulty with instructions, or exhibiting uncharacteristic behavior—an underlying health issue could be the root cause. An expert review can identify if medical factors are at play, providing a more compassionate, supportive, and ultimately more effective path forward than a purely disciplinary one.

• Planning a Phased Return to Work: Bringing an employee back into the workplace after a significant illness, a serious injury, or a major operation requires careful and considered planning. We specialise in creating structured return to work plans, advising on phased hours, amended duties, and necessary workplace adjustments to ensure the employee’s return is safe, sustainable, and successful for both them and the business.

• Evaluating Fitness for a Specific Role: Following a workplace incident, an external accident, or the disclosure of a new or worsening health condition, you may need to formally evaluate an employee’s ongoing fitness for their specific role. This is especially crucial if the position is designated as safety-critical. We provide objective medical opinions on their capacity to perform their duties safely without risk to themselves or others.

The Cherries Medical Clinic Difference: A Medically-Led, Business-Focused Approach

Choosing the right partner for these sensitive and important matters is a critical business decision. Our service is built on a foundation of clinical excellence, commercial awareness, and an unwavering commitment to providing tangible, actionable value to your organisation. We are a trusted provider of workplace medicals for businesses in Slough, Southampton, and across the South of England.

Unparalleled Expertise from GMC-Registered Doctors

Every single consultation is conducted by one of our experienced, UK-based General Medical Council (GMC) registered doctors. They possess specialised knowledge in this field, ensuring the advice you receive is not only clinically sound but also contextually relevant to the modern workplace. This professional, doctor-led approach guarantees a significantly higher quality of assessment and reporting, giving you advice you can rely on.

Clear, Actionable, and Legally-Aware Reports

We deliver detailed industrial health reports that are meticulously crafted to be free from confusing medical jargon. Our findings provide clear, unambiguous answers to the specific questions you ask. We provide pragmatic, actionable recommendations that you can implement immediately. Crucially, our reports provide essential guidance on your duties under UK law, advising on what constitutes a disability and suggesting potential “reasonable adjustments.”

Rapid and Responsive Service for Modern Business

We understand that workplace issues require timely intervention. We pride ourselves on our fast turnaround times, with initial consultations typically offered within 48-72 hours. Following the appointment, you will receive the comprehensive employee health assessment report via secure email within another 48 hours, enabling you to move forward with your management process without unnecessary and frustrating delays.

The Legal Framework: Navigating Your Responsibilities

As a UK employer, you operate within a clear legal framework designed to protect both your business and your employees. Our service is designed to help you navigate these responsibilities with confidence.

The Equality Act 2010

This is the cornerstone of anti-discrimination law in Great Britain. A key component is the employer’s duty to make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled employees. A condition does not need to be severe to be classed as a disability under the Act; it must simply be a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities. Our reports provide a clear medical opinion on whether an employee’s condition is likely to meet this definition, and provide tailored suggestions for adjustments you can make.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

This Act places a duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all their employees. This includes managing risks from psychosocial hazards like stress. Arranging an independent assessment can be a key part of fulfilling this duty by identifying work-related health risks and implementing measures to control them.

Data Protection and GDPR

Employee health data is “special category data” under UK GDPR and requires the highest level of protection. Our entire process is designed for full compliance. We obtain explicit consent, manage data securely, and ensure our reports only contain information relevant to answering your questions about the employee’s fitness for work.

A Deep Dive into Our Comprehensive Workplace Health Services

This specialist referral service is designed to address the full spectrum of employee health challenges. We provide specific, targeted evaluations to give you the precise information you need to manage any situation.

Sickness Absence Support & Management

We provide clear clinical opinions to help you manage staff absence effectively and fairly. This includes establishing the nature of the illness, the appropriateness of current treatment, the expected recovery timeline, and whether the employee is likely to be fit to return to their contractual role. This empowers you to manage the process with fairness, consistency, and compassion.

Structured and Supported Return-to-Work Plans

A successful return from long-term absence is a critical part of the recovery process. We create bespoke, phased return plans that gradually reintroduce an employee to their duties, minimising the risk of relapse and rebuilding their confidence. This includes clear advice on working hours, specific task modifications, and a schedule for reviewing progress, culminating in a fit to work certificate when appropriate.

Performance, Capability & Fitness to Work Reviews

When work-related performance issues are suspected to have a medical root, our reviews can provide definitive clarity. We can determine if a health condition is impacting an employee’s ability to perform their role and advise on what support or adjustments could help them get back on track. This often provides a positive resolution that avoids formal disciplinary action.

Disability Evaluation & Reasonable Adjustments Advice

Navigating your legal duties under the Equality Act can be daunting. Our reports give a clear medical opinion on whether an employee’s condition is likely to be considered a disability. We then provide practical, tailored advice on the reasonable adjustments you could consider, from providing specialist equipment to amending working hours or reallocating minor duties.

Job Role & Task Modification Guidance

In some circumstances, an employee may not be able to return to their full, original duties. We can provide expert advice on specific job modifications, task reallocation, or potential redeployment options, helping you to retain a valuable and experienced employee within your organisation in a safe and sustainable capacity.

Post-Incident & Workplace Injury Reviews (RIDDOR)

Following a workplace accident or an external injury, we can assess an employee’s fitness to resume their role. This is crucial for your own records and for compliance with Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Our review ensures any return to work is safe for the individual, their colleagues, and your business.

Frequently Asked Questions for Employers

Q: What information should I include when requesting an assessment?
A: Be as detailed as possible. Include the employee’s job description, their current absence record, the specific business-related questions you need answers to, and any documented performance concerns. The more context you provide, the more tailored and useful the final employee medical report will be.

Q: How is employee consent and confidentiality handled?
A: Consent is paramount. The process cannot begin until the employee signs a consent form. In line with strict GMC guidance on confidentiality, the doctor will re-confirm consent at the start of the consultation. The employee has the right to see the report before it is sent to you and can request corrections to factual inaccuracies. All data is handled in full compliance with UK GDPR.

Q: Can you help with work-related stress?
A: Yes. Managing work-related stress is a key area where we provide support. Our assessments can identify root causes, differentiate between workplace and external pressures, and advise on strategies and adjustments to support the employee, aligning with the HSE’s Management Standards for tackling work-related stress.

Q: What if an employee refuses to attend a review?
A: An employee has the right to refuse. In this situation, you should document the refusal and explain to the employee that you will have to make management decisions based on the information you currently have available, without the benefit of expert medical advice. This is a process that ACAS provides guidance on.

Q: Is this service only for large corporations?
A: Not at all. We provide our services to businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises with a handful of staff to large, multi-site corporations. The principles of managing employee wellbeing and legal compliance are universal.

Take Control of Employee Health Today

Stop letting uncertainty around employee wellbeing impact your business operations, productivity, and legal standing. A proactive strategy that includes professional clinical advice protects your employees, empowers your managers, and safeguards your organisation.

Ready to Arrange a Professional Assessment?

• Download Our Secure Referral Form: Find the required forms below and begin the process.

• Have Questions? Call our experienced team directly at 0730 685 2397 or visit our contact us page to discuss your specific situation.

Partner with our clinic for clear, expert, and actionable advice on all your workplace health needs.