Text Message From Health Ptnrs

[smok3y666]

I am curretly off sick and have been for approx 4 weeks, might be going back this Thursday depending on what district nurse says but I've had 2 texts last couple days saying I have an appointment booked with Health Ptners coming up and if I miss it I may be charged? Other than 2 texts I have had nothing else, no emails, no calls from work etc.......

Can someone confirm if this is legit and if so what is it?

Thanks.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Had not heard of this, so I asked an AI, and this was their answer. AIs can be wrong, but the general advice and information appear valid.

In 2023, Royal Mail Group appointed Health Partners as its new Occupational Health (OH) provider. Under Royal Mail’s Attendance Agreement, a formal review is automatically triggered when an absence reaches 28 days.

Since you have been off for approximately four weeks, your manager likely made a referral to Health Partners to assess your fitness for work and identify potential adjustments for your return.

Immediate Actions to Take

Verify the Appointment: Contact Health Partners directly to confirm the date, time, and format (telephone or in-person) of the appointment.
Health Partners Telephone: 01273 023131.
Health Partners Email: hello@healthpartnersgroup.com.

Contact Your Manager or HR: Ask why you weren't notified of the referral. It is a standard procedure for managers to discuss OH referrals with employees before they are made.

Check the Royal Mail 'People' App: Royal Mail's wellbeing and HR services are often managed through their dedicated internal app, which may contain more details on your referral.

Important Considerations
Missed Appointment Charges: Occupational Health providers often charge employers for missed appointments ("Did Not Attend"). While the provider passes this cost to Royal Mail, you should check your contract or speak to your CWU (Communication Workers Union) representative to see if Royal Mail can legally pass this charge to you.

If You Are Still Unwell: If you are not yet fit to participate in an assessment, you must inform both Health Partners and your manager immediately to reschedule.

CWU Support: As a Royal Mail employee, you can seek assistance from your local CWU representative regarding attendance procedures and OH referrals.

Confidentiality: Health Partners will only speak to you regarding your appointment details due to confidentiality requirements. You also have the right to request a copy of the OH report before it is sent to your manager.

[smok3y666]

Thanks.

The only time OH has been mentioned while I have been off was maybe 2 weeks ago when my manager rang and said they needed my email and DoB for OH and that was it. Literally. No explanation why. Other than that there has been no discussion about seeing or talking to anyone from OH.

I have not been told by a manager to expect a call or anything and had no emails, I don't even know where the appointment is for, I'm just presuming it will be a phone call.

[Barnacle]

Thanks.

The only time OH has been mentioned while I have been off was maybe 2 weeks ago when my manager rang and said they needed my email and DoB for OH and that was it. Literally. No explanation why. Other than that there has been no discussion about seeing or talking to anyone from OH.

I have not been told by a manager to expect a call or anything and had no emails, I don't even know where the appointment is for, I'm just presuming it will be a phone call.

Your manager needed your agreement to refer you to OH, they obviously took your discussion with them as agreement - you have been off a while so it makes sense - then once the manager makes the referral it is in the hands of OH. If you want am OH assessment you will need to keep the appointment.

[postmanplod2025]

usually after 3 weeks the last i heard u automatically get referred but usually manager has to tell u, but its nothing to be feared the OH mob are generally nice to speak to, not like ur managers harrasing u, usually quite decent to speak to, so no postie should be scared of this

[smok3y666]

usually after 3 weeks the last i heard u automatically get referred but usually manager has to tell u, but its nothing to be feared the OH mob are generally nice to speak to, not like ur managers harrasing u, usually quite decent to speak to, so no postie should be scared of this

I'm not bothered about it just annoyed that I haven't been informed of anything. I have to keep work informed of what's happening so a quick phone casll wouldn't have hurt. On top of that I have a nurse coming round every other day and have been back to he doctors since coming out of hospital. But whatever, it is what it is. I'll have my say when I go back in.

Update

It was OH and they were really nice. Turns out my manager cocked up my email address which is why I had nothing but 2 texts from them.

[Oscar_Grouch]

I have to preface this with the acknowledgement that 99.9% of the time the OH referral process is mostly harmless and nothing more than a paperwork exercise.
But
I have been on the receiving end of malicious referrals, front loaded by management with leading information that given the circumstances, was undoubtedly an attempt to remove me from the business. Overplaying an underlying health condition because of an action I took that is protected in law.


If you have concerns, or worries
Email. RMG@healthpartners.uk.com

Ask for a copy of the referral form. They will upload it to the online portal for you to login, view, and download.

Or on the call explain that you have given consent in principle, but it is far from informed. They will read the referral out and have the form uploaded.

Managers have a habit of assuming that because there is a clause in our contracts that we have to agree to assessments, they are entitled to just demand from us what they need to put the referral in and that's job done.
In their minds they have to just tick the box to say they've done it

Legally that could be considered coercion. Royal Mail policy requires the referral to be a collaborative approach.
Managers forget that due to the nature of it, medical information is to be treated with a higher degree of care than standard personal data.


As I said, the vast majority of referrals are perfectly innocent admin exercises.
But if you are genuinely anxious, or suspicious of your managers intentions. You have every right to ask for the information and be given it.