Occupational health provision for NHS staff: users' opinions about its roles

In 1990, 682 staff (61 per cent response without reminder) employed by 17 districts in the North Western Health Authority were surveyed to discover both their awareness of the existence of the Occupational Health Service and other relevant agencies, and their views about the principal roles of this service. There were replies from staff in six main occupational groups. The results showed clearly that most employees are aware of the existence of the service as a compulsorily provided general practice, while a small group of managers thought of it as a management tool to assist them in controlling their workforce. There was some significant occupational variation which pointed to the same direction--the strong curative image the service has among its clients. The most important conclusion derived from this research is the urgent need to expand NHS staff expectations towards more preventive activities the Occupational Health Service might and should provide.