Annual Health Surveillance

Annual Health Screening and Skin Surveillance

Annual health surveillance/screening supports the early and proactive identification of employees within our organisation in need of a more detailed health assessment.  It is important for detecting ill-health effects at an early stage and to give advice with the aim of preventing any condition from worsening.  The health screening within our Trust targets area of need in relation to: night work; TB contact and for staff who may be experiencing skin conditions that can be occupationally induced.

Upon completion of the health screening questionnaire, if you have responded 'No' to all questions no further action is required.  If you have responded with a ‘Yes’ to any of the questions listed, you should engage your line manager who in turn will refer you to the Occupational Health Dept for further advice and support.  

The need to involve your line manager at this juncture ensures that any recommendations needed within the workplace such as change in work pattern, support with maintaining skin health and appropriate product use can be advised.  Your line manager will submit a management referral or skin assessment referral to OH and we will then arrange to discuss with you in confidence what further actions may be needed to support you. 

The questionnaires that form part of the annual screening are as follows :

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Night workers questionnaire

All night workers are to be offered an initial and an annual health assessment.  A night worker is classified as an individual who regularly works for more than three hours during the period 22:00hrs – 06:00hrs.

Click here for Night Workers Questionnaire

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Skin questionnaire

Contact dermatitis is the most common form of work-related skin disease seen in healthcare professionals. Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin caused by contact with a substance which can result in irritation, redness, cracking and/or blistering of the skin. Frequent or prolonged contact with water (termed ‘wet working’) and other irritants, chemicals and substances for example soaps and cleansers have the potential to cause work related dermatitis.  

Cold weather and frequent handwashing can lead to dry, cracked skin, increasing your risk of discomfort and infection. Remember it is important to wet hands before applying soap as this helps the soap spread more easily and evenly across your skin. This creates a better lather, which helps lift dirt, grease, and germs from your hands. It also prevents irritation by reducing friction between dry skin and soap. Wet hands make handwashing more effective and comfortable! Moisturize regularly, use lukewarm water for handwashing, and wear gloves outdoors to keep your skin healthy and resilient. 

Take care of your hands—they take care of your patients!

If you are experiencing any skin problems, please fill in this short Questionnaire and speak to your Manager about this

Click here for Skin Dermatitis poster

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TB questionnaire

Healthcare worker (HCW), laboratory worker or mortuary staff who have either direct contact with TB patients or with potentially infectious clinical materials or derived isolates should complete annual screening.

In addition, there are a number of occupational groups who are working with persons at higher risk of acquiring TB. These include staff working with prisoners, homeless persons, persons with drug and alcohol misuse and those who work with refugees and asylum seekers. BCG vaccination may also be considered for these groups.

In the hospital setting this may include HCWs working in or who perform certain clinical activities:

• Emergency departments and medical assessments units – as they are likely to be exposed to respiratory problems before diagnosis, including intubation
• Respiratory/HIV wards
• Laboratories dealing with TB specimens
• Mortuary and Post-mortems
• Bronchoscopy or sputum induction, lung function testing – i.e., aerosolisation procedures

Click here for TB Questionnaire

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Please contact the Occupational Health dept if you require any support in completing the pertinent questionnaires.