SMBC is looking to provide a comprehensive and highly integrated range of Occupational Health Services (OHS) and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) so that the Council is able to meet its common law and statutory duties of care for the health, safety and welfare of its employees in their working environment. The Council recognises that work can have an impact on employees’ health and wellbeing, and healthy and well-motivated employees can have a positive impact on the productivity and effectiveness of our service.

The occupational health contractor will be required to provide the following essential core clinical services:

— pre-employment medical checks,

— in-service referrals — assessment of fitness for continued employment,

— in-service referrals — specific types of assessment that may be required,

— counselling services, using cognitive-based therapy and support in the event of trauma,

— case conferences/case management discussions,

— in-service health surveillance/referrals relating to workplace hazards,

— assessment of the occupational health risks of certain job roles and, if necessary, the immunisation requirements,

— risk assessment where employees are at a greater level of risk of blood borne viruses due to nature of the job role/medical condition,

— independent doctor assessments for the local government pension scheme,

— health and wellbeing promotion,

— MSK/physiotherapy services(“MSK Clinic”).

Optional services to be provided on an ad hoc basis – price to be based on an “as and when used” basis:

— vaccinations, e.g. Hepatitis B,

— ergonomic assessments.

The contractor is required to provide an employee assistance programme to include 24 hour/365 day telephone support, assessment and counselling services and structured short-term psychological interventions delivered both face to face, skype, on-line “chat” and by telephone so that the Council is able to support staff to identify and resolve personal concerns that may affect their wellbeing and job performance.