The Occupational Health Service (OHS) is a confidential service for employees.
Information you give to Occupational Health is kept confidential and only accessed by Occupational Health staff.
Your information is managed in line with the HSE Data Protection Policy.
Information we collect from you
We collect only the information required for your occupational health care.
The information we may collect includes:
- personal details about you, such as date of birth, address, contact details
- medical information you give in the pre-placement health assessment
- details of vaccinations or test results
- your management referral form
- reports from other medical practitioners provided by you or obtained with your consent
Who can see your information
Only Occupational Health staff can access your information. They have a legal duty to keep your information confidential.
Keeping your records secure and confidential
Paper and electronic files are stored securely. The HSE has strict information security procedures to ensure information is kept safe. This applies to information held in paper or electronic format.
Records are maintained in line with the recommendations of the HSE National Records Retention Policy.
How your information gets used
We only use your information for occupational health purposes.
The OHS provides statistical information within the HSE, such as the number of flu vaccinations given in each service area. The OHS makes sure you cannot be identified in this information.
Accessing your health records
For all requests, only the information you ask for will be released.
You can access your occupational health records in 2 ways:
- Subject Access Request (SAR)
- Freedom of Information Request (FOI)
A SAR gives you access to your personal data. An FOI request gives access to other types of records.
Subject Access Request (SAR)
Under data protection legislation, you can access your health records by making a Subject Access Request (SAR).
You can make this request in writing to the Occupational Health Service. You will need to provide photographic identification such as a passport, driver licence or Public Services Card (PSC).
You can ask for your information to be released to another person. This requires your written consent.
Freedom of Information Request (FOI)
You can request access to your health records under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
Freedom of Information Request Form (PDF, 148 KB, 1 page)
Contact
To request information, contact your local Data Protection Office