Purpose

To agree to procurement commencing for the
selection of an occupational health provider to directly follow on
from the termination of the current contract, which terminates on
30 June 2024. The new contract will be effective from 1 July
2024.

Decision

 

i.      
the proposed re-procurement of an occupational health contract for
the provision of occupational health service for staff who work for
the council in any capacity, including schools is approved.
 

ii.    
following the completion of the procurement process, the contract
award be delegated to the Executive Director: Resources in
consultation with the Executive Member, Finance and Business
Change.

Reasons for the decision

The
Council currently spends approximately £80,000 a year on its
current
occupational health service, which provides a variety of
services, such as; preemployment screening, sickness referrals,
ill-health retirement, management
guidance and advice as well as health surveillance such as;
statutory hearing tests,
night worker assessments as well as immunisation, disablement
advice, home visits,
emergency planning advice, health related risk assessments,
training and advice
services, and health promotions when required. The provision of
these services
supports managers with staff absence management and employees
early return to
work which has a positive
impact on sickness absence levels.

Alternative options considered

i.      
Consideration has been given to securing a provider to supply both
occupational health and counselling services, which was the
approach undertaken the last time the service was procured.
However, as there were no bids at that time to provide both
services, separate procurements are being undertaken on this
occasion.
 
ii.    
If we were no longer to provide an occupational health service then
this would be considered to have a negative impact on managing
staff absence and would likely have an adverse impact on the level
of days lost to sickness absence.