No occupational health?

[Chaboxy]

I have chronic pain issues, currently presenting in my arms making it super difficult and painful to work at a desk all day. I was signed off for 3 weeks recently and am currently back at work and quietly struggling, but it's kind of ok at the moment because quiet because it's Christmas.

I have all the ergonomic kit and am seeing a physio and a specialist, so I'm managing it as best I can.

I'm dreading when things get busy in the new year, and I spoke to my GP today who said I need to speak with occupational health to act as a bridge between working and the doctors, to try and help me manage my workload Vs time off, and be as effective and consistent as possible.

Now, I've already had this conversation with work who directed me to see an occupational therapist through Bupa instead of providing occupational health. I'm now having issues with authorisation because Bupa see OT the same as physio, and the OT hasn't done anything that the physio hasn't already done in terms of exercises and recommendations.

But my question is: can work do that? Can they try and make me use Bupa instead of providing occupational health themselves?

Note: this isn't them providing OH through Bupa to me, this is them telling me to call Bupa myself, get a referral and then see someone within my outpatient provisions. Bupa health insurance is also opt in/out at my workplace

Finally, I'm still a bit muddled on the difference between OT and OH so any advice on that would be great.

No idea but following as my work doesn’t have OH and they need to send me to one but it apparently involves signing up for a year.

OT is surely Occupational Therapy, OH is Occupational Health. OT is about therapy to help you improve whereas OH is about helping to identify the barriers you face and the practical ways to remove them. They are different specialisms.

You need to advise BUPA that an you need an OH Assessment. https://www.acas.org.uk/using-occupational-health-at-work/using-occupational-health-to-help-someone-at-work

I would expect OH to be advising reasonable adjustments like ergonomic chair, mouse and keyboard but possibly regular breaks, changes in activity so you move away from your desk, give your arms a break etc. Most reasonable adjustments have a minimal cost but can include WFH, adjusting start and end times etc.

There is no legal requirement to have an occupational health facility. Many workplaces don't have one. Your GP can use the fit note system to advise your employer as to their opinions, or can provide the employer with advice directly (which may come at a price), which the employer can then consider. That is all OH would do anyway - ask the GP for their opinion as to your condition.

It's really occupational health you need to assess your health needs at work and recommend reasonable adjustments.

However the physiotherapist or occupational therapist you're seeing should also be able to do this if you discuss your work role with them. Ask them to provide some written recommendations for you to take to your line manager

My GP doesn't even know what disability means in law, whereas occupational health do. My GP would therefore be incapable of advising whether someone was covered by the Equality Act or advising on reasonable adjustments.

A GP doesn't have the training to act as a substitute for occupational health so I disagree that it's the same service/advice your NHS GP provides - but I do agree with pp there's no way to force engagement of OH.

It sounds more like your employer doesn't understand what is OH is compared to OT. If you could clear that up, perhaps they would be more amenable to engaging the right service?

Thanks all! Feel like I can have bit more informed conversation with HR, clarifying what OH is and how it can help! Fingers crossed they can/will provide it!