New Covid variant sparks concern as flu season looms

The Government has announced it is bringing this year’s programme of flu and Covid-19 vaccinations for at-risk groups forward to September, as a new variant of COVID-19 is found circulating in the population with flu season on the horizon.

Last year, flu season resulted in 14,500 excess deaths across the UK during a winter which saw the spread of the disease began early and peak quickly, with hospitalisations across all age groups higher than usual thanks to reduced immunity. This year the worry is that a previously unseen variant of Covid-19, known as the Pirola variant, which is already circulating in the population, could put further strain on the NHS this winter just as flu season hits its stride.

A government statement said: “The government has decided to bring forward its flu and COVID-19 autumn vaccination campaign, as a precautionary measure to ensure those people who are most vulnerable and at higher risk of severe disease have the best available protection. It can take a few weeks for protection to build after a vaccine, so getting vaccinated ahead of the winter season, when respiratory viruses tend to peak, is important.”

The NHS also reiterated the importance of its respiratory virus vaccination programme: “The NHS winter flu and Covid-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.” Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England Medical Director added: “Vaccinations are our best defence against flu and Covid-19 ahead of what could be a very challenging winter.”

Those who are eligible for a free flu vaccination this year are

·      Those aged 65 years and over

·      Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups

·      Pregnant women

·      Children from two years old to up to year 11

·      Those in long-stay residential care homes

·      Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person

·      Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals and frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme.

For those aren’t in these groups but who are offered an employer-led flu vaccination scheme, it is more important than ever to ensure you’re personally protected against influenza this winter. Getting vaccinated means you can also protect those people around you, and if the flu season hits as hard and fast as it did last year, as many people as possibly will want to have that peace of mind.  

The NHS is doing its bit to protect the most vulnerable people from falling ill this winter; meanwhile in the private sector Citi Health is working with employers to protect workforces across London and the UK from the flu. From September to January Citi Health works with employers to offer workplace flu vaccinations to their employees at a place and time of their convenience, as a way of protecting workers  from the potentially devastating effects of the flu. Find out more about booking workplace flu vaccinations at https://www.citihealth.co.uk/flu-vaccinations.

Government looks at increasing access to Occupational Health

Occupational health has been in the news again as the Government continues to look for ways to encourage employers to provide occupational health services to their workers, in an effort to see more people in the UK back at work.

Since 2020 a growing number of people have become absent from work due to long-term illnesses, and this combined with a rush of early retirees has resulted in fewer people of working age actively in the workforce. There are now 630,000 more economically inactive working-age adults – neither looking for a job or in work – than before Covid hit and both the public and private sectors are wrestling with a severe shortage of workers, which is now harming the economy, according to the Bank of England.

Back in March Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt outlined a series of measures in his spring budget which focused on improving access to OH services. He said the Government wants to introduce policies “that encourage employers to support people back into work, to work more, and to prevent them falling out of work”. The Government pledged to “boost occupational health coverage” and is currently considering ways of providing OH across the board for employees; in the UK currently only half of the population has access to OH services - a fraction of the coverage offered in Germany or France which is closer to 100%.

Some ideas which have been put forward include subsidising small businesses to provide OH services to their staff and introducing annual health checks for those in work. Chief Executive at the Society of Occupational Medicine Nick Pahl said “We welcome the subsidy for small business as it will lead to further appreciation and knowledge about OH by employers.

“The occupational health sector needs to both take responsibility and have support to increase its capacity to meet the increase in demand,” he added.

Whatever the Government decides, the recognition of the positive impact occupational health has on the workforce is important. At Citi Health we regularly assess employees in order to help them return to work, and you can read more about how our experienced professionals conduct our occupational health assessments in our dedicated Q&A.

New Government fund brings focus onto the benefits of occupational health

A £1 million fund is to be given towards new ideas to boost health and welfare at work for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – as the importance of occupational health is again a focus for Ministers.

Successful bidders will receive up to £100,000 to back their projects from 19 May 2023, with the Government looking for innovative solutions to drive better access for SMEs and the self-employed to Occupational Health (OH) services.

Applicants are being required to show how they would deliver improvements to OH, harnessing technology such as artificial intelligence or data collection, to deliver better health outcomes for employees of SMEs.

The initiative is a joint venture between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and applications are being accepted until March 15.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, commented: “Good occupational health within workplaces is vital in supporting our overall health and standard of living. We spend so much of our lives at work, and it is imperative that our employers can give us the support we need to maintain our physical and mental health. This in turn means we can give our best at work.

“Through the launch of our new £1 million fund, I look forward to seeing innovative, workable solutions to help SMEs deliver the best for their employees, creating healthier, welfare-driven working environments that will ultimately drive growth and improve people’s working lives.”

As the Government pushes for new ideas around occupational health it’s important to remember to take care of your own workforce. Citi Health provides full occupational health assessments for your staff which are easy to organise, professionally conducted and utterly comprehensive – just get in touch to find out how we can help.

Flu season 2023-2024: Get your workplace prepared

Flu vaccinations are the best way to protect your workforce from flu this winter

As we look back with the last flu season in our rear window we can see that the NHS did another heroic job of caring for people with flu in the winter. Back in January the service was swamped with people as hospital admissions for flu were rapidly increasing. Indeed Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said in a statement on January 9: “There has been a dramatic increase in hospital admissions for flu and we are seeing the highest levels of hospital admissions we’ve seen in at least a decade. There are currently over 5,000 hospital beds a day taken up by flu patients, compared to just 50 this time last year.

“This week, I have visited hospitals and emergency departments to see first-hand the operational action taking place to ensure patients are receiving the right care and I continue to work closely with NHS England to prioritise this issue.

“If you are eligible, the best thing you can do to protect yourself and ease pressure on the NHS is to join the 19.9 million people that have had their vaccine”.

Those eligible for the flu jab last year included all people aged 50 and over, health and social care workers, people aged six months and over and considered “at risk” due to another medical condition, as well as pregnant women and children aged two and three.

Children receive their vaccination via a nasal spray and are encouraged to get the vaccine to not only protect themselves but reduce transmissions to others at risk.

Flu cases in hospital jumped up by almost a half (47%) in the first week of January, as staff in NHS 111 answered a near record number of calls.

Last winter the NHS had prepared extensively for winter and industrial action, with plans in place to manage rising demand including around the clock system control centres, additional bed capacity, more mental health support for ambulance services and community falls services, but the message is clear for Flu season 2023/2024: getting vaccinated protects you and your family from the worst of the effects of the virus, and in a workplace setting vaccinations protect against staff illness and absence, as well as contributing to a sense of wellbeing.

The best time to organise staff workplace flu vaccinations is in the spring so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to arrange workplace flu vaccinations for your staff this autumn.

Flu vaccines: more important than ever

According to the Royal College of General Practitioners, the prevalence of flu in the community in England was about 95% lower in the winter of 2020-21 than is typically expected.

Such a terrific result can be attributed in no small part to a committed programme of prevention:  the UK Government rolled out the largest flu vaccination programme in its history in 2021, with 35 million people offered the vaccine. This impressive campaign was implemented alongside the continuing preventative Covid-19 measures across the world which saw populations social distancing and wearing masks indoors, behaviours known to dampen the spread of all respiratory infections.

PREVENTING A TWINDEMIC

This year we may not be so lucky: NHS England has announced that it will be scaling down last year’s mammoth effort. For 2022/2023 flu jabs are only to be offered to patients in groups who were eligible for vaccination before the pandemic. At the same time, the government is ‘not expected’ to procure central stocks of vaccine. This is a huge step back from previous years, when the government effectively secured a stockpile of vaccines that GP practices can draw on if they experience shortages or delays to supplies.

Looking ahead to winter 2022/2023, there is every possibility that, now society has begun to return to “normal” and restrictions across the country are eased, the flu could return in full force amongst a population with weakened immunity.

Research has already been carried out into the potential effects of a ‘twindemic’, in which flu and Covid-19 circulate freely within the population together: a recent report found that Covid-19 patients infected with the flu were twice as likely to die as those who didn’t also have flu. 

According to the latest NHS guidance, beating the flu in 2022 is a priority: ‘Seasonal flu vaccination remains an important public health intervention and a key priority for 2022/23 to reduce morbidity, mortality and hospitalisation associated with flu at a time when the NHS and social care will be managing winter pressures, potentially including further outbreaks of COVID-19.’

FUTUREPROOF THE HEALTH OF YOUR WORKFORCE

Many businesses are now looking to get ahead of the issue by offering their workforce a flu vaccination this autumn, to futureproof against staff illness through the winter months. It has been established that minor illnesses – which include coughs, colds and the flu – are the cause of over 25% of all staff absences at work. The impact of flu also costs employers money: research from the International Longevity Centre UK found that, amongst the over-50, flu cost around 159 million working days in 2018, the economic impact of which is equivalent to $39 billion (or £30 billion).

Employers can help to do their bit to lessen the threat posed by flu by offering vaccinations to their employees this autumn - and Citi Health can help to make the process simple and fuss-free.

** Find out more about Citi Health’s workplace Flu Vaccination service

** Arrange a workplace flu vaccination clinic with Citi Health

How Occupational Health assessments are helping employers to navigate a post-Covid-19 workplace

Many employers find that Occupational Health can play a huge part in adjusting to new working practices

As employees return to their places of work across the country post-lockdown Occupational Health assessments are playing a huge part in helping employers adjust to a new normal. Here one of our Occupational Health advisers explains how OH is helping employers and employees to navigate a time of great change in the workplace

Q: The Covid-19 pandemic has put more pressure on employers in terms of their responsibilities towards their employees. Do you see an increased need for the insights which Occupational Health assessments are able to offer?

A: OH practitioners have been providing timely and up-to-date advice to employers and employees to assist in management of health and wellbeing throughout the pandemic. They have also been able to manage expectations during a time when employers and employees have navigated extensive changes to workplace practices.

Q: How has the impact of Long Covid affected Occupational Health and what can Occupational Health assessments do to help?

A: Long Covid has raised complex health issues, and OH assessments are consistently evolving through evidence-based research. We can advise on reasonable adjustments, as well as signposting patients to their GP or other relevant support services. A range of support services are also available to employees either online, via apps or through local services, particularly with regards to mental health.

Q: How do you think Citi Health assessments are able to help companies to best support their employees? For instance, do you think talking to a neutral medical professional helps, rather than HR departments?

A: Experienced practitioners can provide guidance to both employer and employees on health and work-related issues in line with pertinent legislation and evidence-based research as well as signposting to other useful services.

Q: Have you noticed changes in any of the issues you see coming up with employees in the past five years?

A: During the initial Covid-19 pandemic referrals became more complex. We saw more referrals due to underlying health issues that may not have previously been raised, for instance we see more extremely vulnerable workers. Anxiety, depression, and mental health issues have also significantly increased due to changes in the way people are working.

If you’d like to find out more about Citi Health’s fast, reliable Occupational Health Assessments, just get in touch on 0203 633 6301 or email contact@citihealth.co.uk

Occupational Health Assessments explained

Citi Health always aims to arrange a full occupational health assessment, carried out by qualified consultants, within five days of receiving a request

Michaela Longmore RGN is an experienced healthcare professional with an extensive career spanning several decades working in the NHS and the corporate sector.  Her career includes working in hospitals, offices and within the community.

She is the coordinator of Citi Health’s Occupational Health (OH) service, which offers quick, fuss-free employee assessments with an experienced consultant. In our latest blog, Michaela answers some frequently asked questions about Occupational Health and explains the process for booking an OH appointment.

Q: What are Occupational Health Assessments?

A: OH assessments assist employers to support their employees in the workplace.  An OH assessment will assess the impact of work on health and health on work; it incorporates a holistic approach taking account of biopsychosocial issues and allows the OH professional to advise both management and employees on health matters impacting on or by work.   A comprehensive and timely report is formulated following an OH assessment supported by evidence-based practice and relevant legislation.  This report advises employers and employees on work/health matters, including but not restricted to return to work/rehabilitation programmes, redeployment, risk assessments, DSE, pregnancy and the Equality Act 2010

Q: When might an Occupational Health Assessment be required?

A: If an employee is returning from sick leave, or planning a course of treatment while working, their employer might want to check they have the support needed in place at work; alternately an employee might start working from home, and an assessment could help to customise their working space.

There are also particular legal requirements for specific workplaces: some jobs require full or partial medicals, vision tests, or vaccination programmes to be carried out as stand-alone or regular health surveillance.  Where required OH provides stand-alone or regular health surveillance to support employers with specific legal workplace requirements.

In some cases, an employer may want to determine whether an employee is suffering from stress and explore if that stress is work-related or not.  OH can make recommendations to employers on how to support an employee who reports work-related stressors.

Q: How does the process of booking an Occupational Health Assessment work?

A: Our aim is to arrange an assessment within five days of receiving a completed referral form by the employer’s HR department or line manager. Assessments can be conducted with the employee at home in a relaxed environment, either on the phone, on a video call or face to face with one of our OH clinicians. The final encrypted report is released to the employee and with employee consent, after which the report is released to the employer. 

The aim is to provide the final encrypted report to the employer within seven days of the assessment.

Q: Is an Occupational Health Assessment a legal requirement for employers?

A: No, however employers have a legal duty as outlined in legislation to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees as far as reasonably practicable.  The legislation which employers must be aware of sets out steps which employers must take to act accordingly to ensure all workplace risks are identified, and steps taken to remove or reduce those risks to ensure the health and wellbeing of their staff whilst at work. 

Q: Who can carry out an Occupational Health assessment?

A: Any healthcare professional who has the appropriate qualifications can become an OH assessor.

Q: What is the feedback from employers on your Occupational Health reports?

A: Citi Health works with an experienced OH consultant with a well-established track record. This gives employers tremendous confidence in our work, and we also hear that our service is better tailored to the client than some larger-scale providers can manage.  

Our clients say they appreciate the consistency of a single point of contact, who provides support and guidance regarding any OH concerns; if we can’t help directly we will always try to find someone who can.

Feedback has also highlighted that Citi Health reports are clear and extremely detailed, and focused on helping employers to arrive at the best decisions for all parties going forward, rather than just confirming what employers may have already known themselves.

If you’d like to find out more about Citi Health’s express Occupational Health Assessments, just get in touch on 0203 633 6301 or email contact@citihealth.co.uk