Management Referrals
- Same day Report turnaround (subject to consent)
- 1,000+ Referrals every month
- Nurse-led Advisers, with physicians for complex cases
What is a management referral?
A management referral is an impartial assessment from an occupational health professional. It reviews how an employee’s health is affecting, or being affected by, their work.
The outcome is a clear, practical report with actionable recommendations that help managers and HR teams make informed, confident decisions — from guidance on fitness for work, to recommendations for reasonable adjustments, or a structured return-to-work plan.
At COPE, referral assessments are conducted by experienced Occupational Health Advisers, with Occupational Health Physicians available for more complex cases — so every referral receives the right level of clinical expertise.
How is this different to a GP?
Unlike a GP — whose primary focus is the health of the patient — an occupational health assessment considers both the employee’s health and the impact on their ability to fulfil their role. That’s what gives employers the clarity they need to act appropriately and supportively.
When should you make a referral?
A management referral may be appropriate when an employee is experiencing any of the following. If you’re unsure whether a referral is right — or how best to frame one — our free duty-nurse service lets you speak directly with an Occupational Health Adviser on the day, at no additional cost.
- Absent from work due to a physical or mental health condition
- Experiencing frequent short-term absences
- Struggling to perform their role due to a health condition
- Returning to work after a significant period of absence
- Experiencing a workplace injury or work-related health concern
- Requiring reasonable adjustments to fulfil their role
What to expect
A simple, well-managed journey from referral to report — with your dedicated team on hand at every stage.
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Referral & clinical triage
Once a referral is submitted through our secure online portal, our team triages the case to confirm all information is present and decide the most clinically appropriate way to manage it — including whether an Adviser or Physician is best placed to help, and whether a remote or face-to-face appointment is most suitable.
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Appointment arranged
Our admin team contacts the employee directly to arrange a convenient appointment, keeping the process simple for everyone. Details are shared with both parties automatically and are visible in real time through the portal.
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3
Reminders sent
To help reduce no-shows, the employee receives two reminders ahead of their appointment — one by email and one by text.
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4
Same-day report
Following the consultation you receive a clear, high-quality report with practical recommendations — delivered the same day as the appointment, subject to employee consent. You’re notified automatically as soon as it’s ready to download.
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Ongoing support
At every stage, your dedicated Customer Relationship Manager and Clinical Lead ensure the process runs smoothly — and our free duty-nurse service is always available before you submit a referral.
Have you been asked to attend an assessment?
If your employer has referred you to COPE, there’s nothing to worry about. An occupational health assessment is a supportive, confidential conversation about how your health affects your work — and how you can be supported to stay well at work or return safely.
You’ll be contacted to arrange an appointment at a convenient time, either remotely or in person. Your assessment is carried out by an experienced occupational health clinician, and the report is shared with your employer only with your consent.
What our customers say
Community Housing has appreciated the support provided by COPE Occupational Health. The service feels caring, understanding and supportive, with a thoughtful approach to our colleagues. COPE’s team are approachable and considerate, offering reassurance and guidance when needed. We value the positive relationship we have built and the way they help us support our team and our colleagues.
We’ve worked with COPE for many years and found their approach to be highly organised and efficient. From the initial referral to the recommendations, it is always smooth and streamlined with no delays. They identify our priorities and outline a clear plan of action between managers and their staff. Regular progress updates ensure managers are kept informed, and any adjustments are handled promptly. COPE offers a dependable and well-structured service for anyone seeking occupational health services.
We have been very pleased with the service provided, and in particular the turnaround times of reports and new starter screening mean that issues can be dealt with very quickly. The quality of advice has been very good, as has the level of customer service, and I’m pleased to recommend their overall service.
The advice COPE gives is specific, helpful and practical. It has enabled us to help employees feel supported and comfortable at work.
We use COPE for OH referrals and new starters. We are very happy with the service they provide and the clarity of the advice they give.
COPE offers a dependable, well-structured service. From referral to recommendation the process is smooth, and their team keep us informed at every stage.
Common questions about management referrals
Our service is nurse-led. Experienced Occupational Health Advisers conduct the majority of assessments, with Occupational Health Physicians available for more complex cases.
Subject to the employee’s consent, management referral reports are delivered on the same day as the appointment. You’re notified automatically when it’s ready to download from the portal.
The employee’s consent is required before the report is released to the employer. We keep the process transparent for everyone, and your Clinical Lead can talk you through it.
Every COPE customer has access to our free duty-nurse service. You can speak to an Occupational Health Adviser on the day to decide the best course of action before you refer.
Ready to give your people the right occupational health support?
Speak to our team about management referrals, health surveillance, wellbeing and more — or arrange a walkthrough of the COPE portal.