This is taken from Ariel, w/c April 3:

YOUR HEALTH IN CAPITA'S HANDS

A new helpline for staff and a manager-led referral system are among changes in occupational health that came into effect on April 1, as a result of the transfer of the service to Capita.

The confidential helpline, which does not replace the occupational health team, is available around the clock to BBC employees and freelances on BBC assignments, wherever they are in the UK. The service, similar to NHS Direct, is in addition to the counselling advice line that has run for a number of years. The focus of the new helpline is work-related issues, although the specialist nurses who take the calls are able to assist with other health matters.

Those who feel they need to see a nurse, doctor or occupational health specialist need to ask their line manager to arrange a referral. BBC policy has long required staff to let their manager know about such consultations, but in practice many people referred themselves or dropped in to the BBC surgery. This option no longer exists.

If people feel unhappy discussing health problems with their managers,they can go via an HR contact instead. Referrals are for work-related problems only (as is currently the case) and general health concerns should be dealt with by a GP.

To support managers and HR people with their new responsibilities, an advice line has been set up providing guidance on, for example, overseas travel, workplace assessments, sickness absence, return to work and stress management.

To refer a member of their team, managers will contact Capita, the largest provider of occupational health services in the UK outside the NHS, using either a dedicated phone line or email address.

'These are big changes but there are some real benefits,' says the BBC's chief medical officer Dr Rob Morrison. 'The helpline, for example, will provide the same level of service to staff in Truro and Inverness as those in London, Birmingham and Manchester.'

He adds that for the time being the occupational health team, which numbers around 20, based in London and other big BBC centres, will remain where they are, but that this could change in the future 'once Capita has assessed the needs of the service'.

He acknowledges that while some of his team 'are sanguine about the transfer to Capita' others are 'very upset about leaving the BBC, to which they have a great loyalty'.