Occupational and environmental medicine
-
To establish the extent of Occupational Health (OH) service provision in the National Health Service (NHS). ⋯ Substantial inequality of access to OH services exists for the NHS workforce, despite previous guidance. There is no real evidence to suggest why the extent of provision of OH services varies so greatly between institutions.
-
To describe workers with low back symptoms, to identify risk factors and to assess the occupational consequences separately in men and women. ⋯ The incidence and severity of low back pain were higher in women, although they seemed to be less exposed to known occupational risk factors. However, our results indicate a preponderance of these risk factors among female workers. Particular attention must therefore be paid to lifting of weights and uncomfortable working positions in female jobs (clerk, trading, health care staff).