What is Occupational Health?

Frequent Occupational Health Service Requests

  • Sickness Absence
  • Musculoskeletal Issues
  • Accident/Illness
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing
  • Pregnancy Risk Assessments
  • COVID-19 Supports

Here are just some of the ways Cognate Health can support your role and your organisation’s heath, wellbeing and safety:

  • Support management of sickness absence
  • Encourage safe working practices
  • Conduct pre-employment health assessments (based on risk factors)
  • Provide early intervention to support employees returning to work quickly and safely; and determine what employees need to perform their daily work activities in future
  • Ergonomic assessments (ensuring workspace is fit for purpose)
  • Work with employer to implement policies and support health education programmes

Why Occupational Health?

Studies show businesses lose 11 million workdays each year due to absenteeism in the workplace, costing the Irish economy €1.5 billion. Aside from the financial implications, here are some other benefits of occupational health support:

Employee

  • Confidentiality and comfort with third-party expert support
  • Return-to-work process managed and supported, start to end
  • Enables earliest possible recovery and return-to-work
  • Minimise sick leave
  • Protects your overall health and wellbeing

Employer

  • Early intervention facilitates faster return-to-work
  • Reduce cost of long-term absenteeism
  • Minimise lost productivity
  • Financial cost benefit overall
  • Company Culture – promote a healthy workplace and wellbeing programme

It is important for managers to understand the difference and benefits of both an Occupational Health Physician and General Practioner. Here are just some key differentiators to better understand how occupational health supports your workplace.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL (OHP) GENERAL PRACTITONER (GP)
Independent Review Patient / Employee Advocate
Objective assessment, based on medical evidence and findings Subjective assessment, based on history outlined by employee
Detailed knowledge of workplace No understanding of workplace
Liaises with HR regularly No ability to liaise with HR
Focuses on case closure for benefit of employer and employee Focuses solely on treatment
OHP both employer and employee focused GP entirely patient focused
OHP can advise on mediation No ability to mediate with employer
OHP can advise on accommodations GP cannot determine realistic accommodations
OHP can determine if absence work related and advise accordingly GP cannot determine if absence is work related
OHP qualified doctor and two-year LFOM qualification GP is a qualified doctor; no additional specialized training in workplace health and safety, etc.

All Our Services

Early Intervention

Early intervention on sickness absence is key in supporting employees back to work quickly and safely, ensuring the best outcome for both the employee and the employer.

Early Intervention

Health Assessments

We offer a range of health assessments to fit your requirements,from health screenings to sickness absence assessments.

Health Assessments

Active Case Management

Driven by our Case Managers, who are occupational health nurses and physiotherapists with a special interest in rehabilitation, our Active Case Management focuses on early intervention.

Active Case Management

Integrated Health

We work with our clients nationwide to deliver integrated occupational health solutions, incorporating wellness, health and safety.

Integrated Health

Occupational Mental Health Service

As well as affecting employees’ quality of life and productivity, mental ill health is among the most prevalent causes of sickness absence and decreased performance and can lead to high turnover and unemployment.

Occupational Mental Health Service

Chief Medical Officer

The needs of the workplace and our clients has evolved in the past eighteen months due to Covid and we are committed to supporting that change with new occupational health offerings unique to the Irish market.

Chief Medical Officer

Specialist Areas

For workers in sectors with specific requirements, we offer a range of dedicated assessments and screenings, in line with industry guidelines and regulations.

Specialist Areas

Workplace Support Services

We offer Comprehensive Assessments and Ongoing Consultations which are designed to empower neurodiverse employees and help them excel in their professional journey.

Get in touch, today!

Get in touch, today!

Our customer relationship team is always available to discuss how we can help your organisation manage the health of your workforce.

Get in touch, today!

Find out how we can work with you to find a solution.

Get in touch

Cognate Health