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Medical appointments

The guidance advises on time off for medical appointments.


The guidance covers:

  • when paid time off will be allowed
  • GP and dentist appointments
  • definitions

Time off for medical appointments

Paid time off will be granted to attend:

  • hospital appointments which cannot be arranged in the employee's own time
  • appointments for health screening, immunisation and donor activities up to a maximum of 5 days in any 12-month period
  • occupational health appointments
  • ante-natal appointments
  • assessment, treatment, rehabilitation or training for disabled employees covered by the Equality Act 2010 for the condition covered by the act

Paid time off is dependent on the appointment unavoidably being within the employee's contract hours. Medical appointments are defined as those which do not cause the employee to feel ill or debilitated.

Where a medical procedure has caused the employee to feel ill, for example chemotherapy, time off would be classed as sick leave.

Other medical appointments, for example with a GP or dentist, will continue to be taken in the employee's own time. For those employees on fixed hours, where the appointment cannot be made in the employee's own time, the hours lost should be made up through agreement with their line manager. This can be by balancing off against additional hours, overtime hours, or use of annual leave.

For clarification regarding the Equality Act 2010 or any other related issue please contact your advice and support team.

Definitions

Health screening

Cervical screening, breast screening, well man/woman screening.

Immunisations

Work-related hepatitis B and influenza.