Occupational health is an important part of any workplace. This is especially true today where rates of mental illness are rising – alongside absenteeism and burnout among employees.
Some jobs by nature can also lead to a risk of injury, particularly jobs that require hard physical labour or jobs in a warehouse environment that involve heavy lifting. For these reasons, it’s important to know what you can do when you’re feeling ill, stressed or have sustained an injury at work. Occupational health services provide a clear path between your work and your well-being.
Here at The Health Suite in Leicester, we provide confidential occupational health assessments to help people feel better, work better, and stay well.
What Is Occupational Health?
Occupational health focuses on how work impacts health and vice versa. It draws from clinical insight and workplace understanding to support employees and employers alike.
This support may include:
- Management of a chronic or recurring illness
- Supporting a return-to-work request for someone
- Conducting physical assessments for fitness for certain job roles
- Alleviating work-related stress or dealing with symptoms of burnout
- Preventative strategies against injury or ill health in high-risk environments
- Meeting legal health and safety obligations
It’s about keeping people healthy, supported, and productive in their roles – while paying attention to the realities of illness or injury.
Why Occupational Health Matters (for Everyone)
We’d like to dispel the myth that occupational health is only for people who are in physically demanding jobs that involve a lot of hard labour. In reality, workplace stress, poor posture, repetitive strain, and mental health conditions are just as likely in desk-based roles as in manual labour.
A well-run occupational health service can help you:
- Recover from injury more safely and confidently
- Identify adjustments that make work more manageable
- Feel heard when you’re struggling with stress or anxiety
- Avoid repeated sickness absences
- Navigate health challenges with your employer’s support
For employers, this leads to better performance, reduced absenteeism, and improved morale — all of which are essential for business resilience.
Common Work-Related Health Issues We See
At The Health Suite Leicester, we regularly support patients who experience workplace stress and burnout.
When pressure mounts, stress can manifest physically and mentally with the following symptoms:
- Fatigue and headaches/migraines
- Issues with concentration
- Lack of quality sleep
- Low mood that’s persistent or irritability
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Physical tension or muscle pain
These seemingly manageable issues need intervention because without support they can spiral into burnout or even longer term mental health problems.
Here at The Health Suite, our occupational health team will look closely at your current challenges and recommend supportive adjustments. This could include things like a phased return, flexible hours, or external mental health support.
Injuries Caused by Manual Handling or Repetition
People working in warehouses, construction, or transport may suffer from:
- Back injuries
- Shoulder or neck strain
- Joint inflammation
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
Adequate ergonomics, training for proper posture, or time away from certain duties may be essential for recovery.
We’ll conduct independent musculoskeletal assessments, giving you treatment guidance and return-to-work advice that’s specific to your role.
Mental Health Issues That Impact Work
These may or may not be triggered by your work, but they can affect your performance nonetheless, and common concerns include:
- Depression
- Generalised anxiety
- PTSD or trauma
- ADHD or neurodiversity
The role of occupational health isn’t to replace therapy but it’s to offer a supportive assessment of how mental health intersects with your job. This helps employers make fair, evidence-based decisions on adjustments or support.
Chronic Health Conditions/Recurring Sickness
There are certain conditions like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, or post-viral fatigue (including long COVID) can make work over the long term harder to sustain.
An occupational health consultation can assess:
- Whether you’re fit to return to work
- What reasonable adjustments you might need
- How to avoid symptom flare-ups at work
- If your current role is impacting your recovery
With this kind of professional assessment, it helps both the employee and employer.
What Happens During an OH Assessment?
A lot of people are concerned about what they can expect, which is why our goal is to keep it supportive, independent, and confidential.
Your assessment will include:
- A detailed review of your medical history and symptoms
- A discussion about your job role, tasks, and environment
- Clinical observations (where relevant)
- An opportunity to discuss how your health is affecting work
- A written report (if needed) with clear, objective recommendations
You’ll always be treated with empathy and respect and we’ll explain everything we do, every step of the way.
Employer Benefits: Healthy People, Healthy Business
Employers who invest in occupational health aren’t just doing so out of compliance, it’s about creating a culture where people can thrive.
Employers who offer professional occupational health support see:
- Reduced sickness absence and presenteeism
- Lower staff turnover
- Better morale and engagement
- Improved compliance with Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance
- A stronger reputation as a responsible employer
At The Health Suite, we work with businesses of all sizes to deliver bespoke occupational health solutions, whether it’s a one-off fitness-for-work review or ongoing staff wellbeing support.
When to Refer to Occupational Health
Consider an occupational health assessment if:
- An employee has been off sick and is planning to return
- Someone is struggling with their duties due to illness or injury
- You need medical advice to guide workplace adjustments
- There are frequent or unexplained absences
- A diagnosis is impacting performance or safety
- You want to prevent burnout or staff attrition
Early referral leads to better outcomes and sends a strong message that you care about your people.
Private Occupational Health Services in Leicester
We provide private occupational health assessments in Leicester here at The Health Suite, and we focus on care that’s evidence-based with clear communication.
Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book an occupational health assessment with us today. Or if you have any questions you can contact our team to learn more about how we can support your workplace wellbeing. We always aim for the right balance of clinical insight and compassionate care.
