At the same time, our pre-employment assessments give employers valuable health information. To be effective, pre-employment assessments should be specifically tailored to individual organisations and job tasks.

They focus on those requirements that are directly relevant to the applicant's ability to perform the essential or core requirements of the position.

Partner Health use two options to conduct pre employment health assessments

Option 1: Health Declaration Form

This explores the health of the applicant through their declaration by means of a health questionnaire. The questionnaire focuses on previous medical history, social history and family history. It is assessed by a member of Partner Health‘s Occupational Health team and a fitness conclusion is supplied to the employer. The conclusion may need a referral to the occupational health physician. Our recommendation is a health declaration Is the method of choice except where base line health surveillance is required. The assessment is undertaken by our OH nursing team who will review the completed health declaration submitted by the candidate. The process of paper screening is very efficient and can be supplemented by telephone consultation or clinical assessment if appropriate. It is also compliant with the Data Protection Act (2) and the Employment Equality Act or EEA (3).

Upon completion, a certificate of fitness for work will be issued to the Human Resources Manager (or agreed other) by email. This will include advising the manager if the individual has a disability that may come under the terms of the EEA and whether any adaptations or adjustments are required.

Option 2: Pre Employment Medical

Pre employment medicals are where recommended where the occupation carries a more significant element of risk to health or where baseline health surveillance is required. Examples are employees who work with: hazardous substances, construction employees, Fire Fighters, Employees working at heights, forklift drivers. A clinical examination will be carried out by a member of the Partner Health occupational health team and a fitness conclusion supplied.

As part of a Pre employment medical examination the following tests are carried out depending on risk assessment.

• Vision Screening including colour vision testing

• Hearing Assessment- audiogram

• Lung Function testing – spirometry

• Respiratory questionnaire

• Skin surveillance

• Urine Analysis

• Random Drug Screen

• Blood Screening
  Immunisation status

• Tuberculosis (TB) surveillance status may be required before starting work in the Health care Environment

• Chester Step exercise test

• Baseline medical status before working with hazardous chemicals

• Commercial driver certification