All sickness absences from work for NHS Lanarkshire employees – regardless of the length of absence – must be reported to the early access to support for you (EASY) service, but yet many absences continue to go unreported or are recorded via SSTS only. Without this valuable information, the EASY service is unable to offer the support that some staff members may need to help them return to work.
Contrary to historical belief, the EASY service – or ‘occupational health’ as it may be known to some – do not perform checks, nor does it disclose information with managers regarding discussions with those referred. The EASY service is a support service only for staff members who are absent from work, designed to provide or signpost to appropriate help and support at the very beginning of absence.
While it is recognised that there are ever increasing demands being placed on our staff, it really could not be simpler or quicker to refer a staff member. It takes less than two minutes to submit a referral and the service will take care of the rest, it really is that EASY.
How to refer
You can find a referral form on the EASY page on FirstPort (http://firstport2/staff-support/salus-occupational-health-and-safety/early-access-to-support-for-you/default.aspx) or by looking under ‘Applications’ on FirstPort and selecting ‘Formstream non-clinical’.
A frequently asked questions (FAQs) has been developed to help managers or referrers to navigate the system quickly and easily for their first few attempts. You can find the FAQs on the EASY page on FirstPort or by visiting http://firstport2/staff-support/salus-occupational-health-and-safety/early-access-to-support-for-you/default.aspx
Please notify the EASY service when a staff member returns to work by emailing easy@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or calling 01698 759310.
