Disability Support - FOI Response Register

Sickness absence - The Bradford factor is a formula used by HR departments to calculate the impact of employees’ absences on an organisation.

1. Does your Board use Bradford Factor scoring as part of monitoring sickness absence?

All Scottish NHS Boards adhere to ‘Once for Scotland Attendance Policy’ with triggers detailed

https://www.nhsshetland.scot/directory-record/2421/attendance-policy

2. Does your Board’s sickness absence policy include a threshold at which sickness absence triggers performance management action?

As per Q1

If yes, what is the threshold? (Either days absent or, if used, Bradford Factor score)

3. Does your Board record disability-related absence separately from sickness absence?

No but each attendance process will be looked at on an individual basis and this may be taken into consideration.

Disability Leave - Disability leave is a period of time off work for a reason related to an employee's disability; for example, to attend hospital appointments or to receive treatment, usually agreed in advance.

4. Does your Board have a disability leave policy?

All leave will be dealt with in accordance with the Once for Scotland Special Leave Policy

If yes, please provide a link to/copy of the policy.

 https://workforce.nhs.scot/policies/special-leave-policy-overview/

5. Does your Board offer paid disability leave?

As per above answer to Q4

Championing disability - Disability champions are people in roles that provide a personal lead and commitment to championing accessibility and opportunity for disabled people within their organisation.

6. Does your Board have the following available to doctors and medical students:

-       A disabled staff/student network     

Not at the moment

-       A disability champion at a senior/Board level *

Not at the moment

-       Disability advocates/champions with lived experience

Not at the moment

7. Do you have anyone who is employed in a paid role specifically to ensure that disabled doctors receive workplace support?

No

If yes, please provide a brief description of the job role

Reasonable adjustments process

8. Does your Board have a reasonable adjustments policy?

This would be dealt with under whatever situation that arises which could be attendance or capability and reviewed on an individual basis, accordingly.

If yes, please provide a link/copy

https://www.nhsshetland.scot/directory-record/2421/attendance-policy    https://www.nhsshetland.scot/directory-record/2423/capability-policy

9. Does your Trust/Board have a centralised budget for making workplace adjustments for disabled doctors/medical students?

No – this would go against departmental budget

10. Does your Trust/Board have a single point of contact/centralised process for disabled doctors/medical students to request reasonable adjustments?

Any reasonable adjustments would normally be recommended via Occupational Health Department

If no, please provide brief details of how individual employees can make requests for adjustments (e.g. via their line manager)