Will anxiety affect my occupational health clearance for a healthcare course?

[whyhr]

I've just started a healthcare course (Speech and Language Therapy), and have had to fill in an NHS occupational health form for placements. The only thing I declared was that I had anxiety which I am on tablets for, but I wrote that I don't feel that this will impact me on placements. I've now heard back from the occupational health department saying I need to contact them about this and speak to one of the nurses...

I did have some time off work from a high-stress office job last year, there were lots of deadlines and horrible clients and I just found it overwhelming. I had 2 months off work, and returned with some adjustments (a phased return, frequent breaks and a 'buddy' to chat to). I returned to work for nearly a year with no further issues, and then handed in my notice to start this university course/have a career change.

I honestly can't think of anything that will impact me on placements. I do get nervous and I know I'll find it daunting going in on my first day. I can also be quite shy and slow to warm up to colleagues, but I don't think that will impair me or prevent me from doing a good job?

I'm worried this is going to affect my ability to be deemed fit for the course, and I can't speak to anyone about it until Monday

I've worked for a regulator, and when people apply for registered positions they have to complete a health form and get their doctor to provide any relevant information/sign off the health declaration. If the check is completely clear and there is nothing possibly relevant on there, like an ingrowing toenail twenty years ago, it goes straight through. If there is something that could impact on the medical suitability to do the job, it gets sent to occupational health for a medical professional to review. They may want to contact the applicant for further information. If it's more complicated, they may need to get the person in to speak to and be examined by a medical professional before occ health will give the recommendation of suitable or not.

So it sounds like a similar process. Anxiety is a pretty broad thing, it may be very minor and not impact on your work at all, or it may be really serious and make even day to day life very difficult. What someone's triggers are for it getting worse will vary. It's not a medical condition than an untrained person can just tick off as yes they'll definitely be fine. So the occ health people will just need to explore a bit more what it actually means for you, and whether there could be any impacts on you being able to do the job, ensure the course won't make your condition worse, etc. If your health has caused you to have time off work previously, they would want to explore why that was so they can judge whether it would be likely to happen again in your new role.

Ahh I'm really nervous now :( I'm not really sure what to say. I don't even really know why I needed the time off work, it was just lots of things building up and being in a stressful job that I hated was the straw that broke the camels back.

I've been to university before doing a demanding course and had no issues with my mental health, and I've worked in other jobs and been fine.

I think it is going to be fine I'd probably say your last job was such a stressful *?(add any other words you feel is appropriate ) environment that it prompted your change of career . People function with anxiety OT will just be making sure you are OK and if you need any adjustments .

Thank you Mrsjayy, I'll be phoning them up later today so hopefully all will be ok

Good luck and deep breaths.

Hello OP. I know it’s been a while… could you share how this went? I am in an almost identical situation. Thanks!