HBA1c - Occ Health requires copy?

KK123

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,967
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi to all,

Just a query really, I have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (3 months ago) and am now back at work (emergency services, shift work, managerial level but still on the streets in a supervisory capacity). Occ Health are doing a 'reasonable adjustment' assessment which is fine but they have asked me to sign a consent form to give them access to my medical records and say they will request them from my diabetes consultant.

They have also said they will require a copy of my latest Hba1c test to 'determine' whether my diabetes is 'controlled' and will then use the results to decide if I can drive/do my job/work alone etc. This seems very intrusive to me, I happen to have diabetes, that is all, I am perfectly capable of being 'alone' without a babysitter at work.

I do accept that such assessments must be done but to this level? Surely all they need to know from the Consultant is whether I am capable of living a life with diabetes and for (basic) driving purposes whether I follow the DVLA rules. I know if I was hypo'ing all over the place and requiring the intervention of others on a regular basis this might be relevant and I suppose they won't believe me when I say I am 'controlled' unless the Consultant says so. They have already decided I am not to go out on patrol 'alone' which severely restricts me and to be honest makes me feel bl**dy useless!

Have others had this and am I being overly sensitive?
 

johnny37

Well-Known Member
Messages
73
oversensitive. employer has a legal obligation to ensure you have a safe working environment. Do work with anyone in a wheelchair?
 

DCUKMod

Master
Staff Member
Messages
14,298
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi to all,

Just a query really, I have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (3 months ago) and am now back at work (emergency services, shift work, managerial level but still on the streets in a supervisory capacity). Occ Health are doing a 'reasonable adjustment' assessment which is fine but they have asked me to sign a consent form to give them access to my medical records and say they will request them from my diabetes consultant.

They have also said they will require a copy of my latest Hba1c test to 'determine' whether my diabetes is 'controlled' and will then use the results to decide if I can drive/do my job/work alone etc. This seems very intrusive to me, I happen to have diabetes, that is all, I am perfectly capable of being 'alone' without a babysitter at work.

I do accept that such assessments must be done but to this level? Surely all they need to know from the Consultant is whether I am capable of living a life with diabetes and for (basic) driving purposes whether I follow the DVLA rules. I know if I was hypo'ing all over the place and requiring the intervention of others on a regular basis this might be relevant and I suppose they won't believe me when I say I am 'controlled' unless the Consultant says so. They have already decided I am not to go out on patrol 'alone' which severely restricts me and to be honest makes me feel bl**dy useless!

Have others had this and am I being overly sensitive?

KLK - My only general comment would be that, as a manager, wherever I had someone going through an assessment, for whatever reason, without fail they asked for permission to seek information from the individual's medical team.

You are also in your very early days, and to be honest, it sounds like your employer is trying to do a good job to ensure they've covered everything. Take it steady. I'm sure there'll be others along with personal experience.

Good luck with it all.
 

Circuspony

Well-Known Member
Messages
959
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I think you are being a bit over-sensitive. They will want as much information as possible from your consultant to determine how to safely support you doing your job.
 

Zilsniggy

Well-Known Member
Messages
428
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi to all,

Just a query really, I have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (3 months ago) and am now back at work (emergency services, shift work, managerial level but still on the streets in a supervisory capacity). Occ Health are doing a 'reasonable adjustment' assessment which is fine but they have asked me to sign a consent form to give them access to my medical records and say they will request them from my diabetes consultant.

They have also said they will require a copy of my latest Hba1c test to 'determine' whether my diabetes is 'controlled' and will then use the results to decide if I can drive/do my job/work alone etc. This seems very intrusive to me, I happen to have diabetes, that is all, I am perfectly capable of being 'alone' without a babysitter at work.

I do accept that such assessments must be done but to this level? Surely all they need to know from the Consultant is whether I am capable of living a life with diabetes and for (basic) driving purposes whether I follow the DVLA rules. I know if I was hypo'ing all over the place and requiring the intervention of others on a regular basis this might be relevant and I suppose they won't believe me when I say I am 'controlled' unless the Consultant says so. They have already decided I am not to go out on patrol 'alone' which severely restricts me and to be honest makes me feel bl**dy useless!

Have others had this and am I being overly sensitive?
Hi to all,

Just a query really, I have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (3 months ago) and am now back at work (emergency services, shift work, managerial level but still on the streets in a supervisory capacity). Occ Health are doing a 'reasonable adjustment' assessment which is fine but they have asked me to sign a consent form to give them access to my medical records and say they will request them from my diabetes consultant.

They have also said they will require a copy of my latest Hba1c test to 'determine' whether my diabetes is 'controlled' and will then use the results to decide if I can drive/do my job/work alone etc. This seems very intrusive to me, I happen to have diabetes, that is all, I am perfectly capable of being 'alone' without a babysitter at work.

I do accept that such assessments must be done but to this level? Surely all they need to know from the Consultant is whether I am capable of living a life with diabetes and for (basic) driving purposes whether I follow the DVLA rules. I know if I was hypo'ing all over the place and requiring the intervention of others on a regular basis this might be relevant and I suppose they won't believe me when I say I am 'controlled' unless the Consultant says so. They have already decided I am not to go out on patrol 'alone' which severely restricts me and to be honest makes me feel bl**dy useless!

Have others had this and am I being overly sensitive?

KLK, as a Type 1 diabetic, it is likely that your condition will be covered under the Equalities Act., Your employer will have responsibilities to meet under that, and may require to make 'reasonable adjustments' so that they meet all requirements and responsibilities under Employment Law, to protect both you and them. As a vocational driver you are likely to be assessed at a higher level than Joe Public, with a higher level of responsibility to those in your care. Occupational Health will require your results and possibly the opinion of a specialist Occupational Health Physician and possibly your Diabetes Consultant to determine what the best way forward is for you. They cannot access these files without your consent. However, that being said, it really does no good to refuse, and may result in restrictions being placed upon you for longer. The best you can do, is make sure your diabetes is well controlled, and stays that way, with no hypos etc. I believe there are instances of Type 1 diabetics working in some emergency services, as Paramedics, say. Each case needs to be assessed on an individual basis though.