Management Referrals

A management referral is when an employer refers an employee to an occupational health professional for an independent, impartial assessment of how their health is affecting, or being affected by their work.



The outcome is a clear, practical report with actionable recommendations to help managers and HR teams make informed, confident decisions. This might include guidance on an employee's fitness for work, recommendations for reasonable adjustments, or a structured return-to-work plan.



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 — giving employers the clarity they need to act appropriately and supportively.



At COPE, our management referral assessments are conducted by experienced Occupational Health Advisers, with Occupational Health Physicians available for more complex cases, ensuring every referral receives the right level of clinical expertise.

A management referral may be appropriate when an employee is:


  • 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 following a significant period of absence
  • Experiencing a workplace injury or work-related health concern
  • Requiring reasonable adjustments to fulfil their role

If you're unsure whether a referral is the right approach, or how best to frame one, our duty nurse service allows you to speak directly with an Occupational Health Adviser on the day, at no additional cost! We'll help you decide the best course of action before you make a referral.

Once a referral is submitted through our secure online portal, our team will triage the case to ensure all the necessary information has been provided and to determine the most clinically appropriate way to manage it, including whether an Occupational Health Adviser or Physician is best placed to help, and whether a remote or face to face appointment is most suitable.


Our Admin team will then contact the employee directly to arrange a convenient appointment, keeping the process simple and stress free for both the employee and the referring manager. Appointment details are shared with both parties automatically, and are also visible in real time through our portal to anyone in your organisation with access.


To help reduce no-shows, the employee receives two reminders ahead of their appointment — one by email and one by text.


Following the consultation, you'll receive a clear, high quality report with practical recommendations — delivered on the same day as the appointment, subject to employee consent. You'll be notified automatically as soon as it's ready to download from the portal.


At every stage, your dedicated Customer Relationship Manager and Clinical Lead are on hand to ensure the process runs smoothly. And if you have any questions before submitting a referral, our free duty nurse service is always available to help.

Why Choose COPE For Management Referrals?

At COPE, our mission is to maximise attendance and wellbeing through healthy work. Our management referral service has been built around that goal — giving you the clarity, confidence and support you need to help your people thrive and your organisation perform at its best. Here's what sets us apart.

More Time, Better Outcomes

According to the Society of Occupational Medicine's 2025 report, COPE allocates significantly more time per consultation than the industry standard. Our clinicians have the time to conduct thorough consultations, appropriately challenge where needed, and produce clear, high quality reports that genuinely inform your decision making.

Free Duty Nurse Service

Not sure whether a referral is the right approach, or how best to frame one? Every COPE customer has access to our free duty nurse service — speak directly with an Occupational Health Adviser on the day, at no additional cost.

Your Dedicated Support Team

Every customer is supported by a dedicated Customer Relationship Manager and a Clinical Lead who work closely together to build a deep understanding of your organisation. They'll tailor our reports to your needs and regularly review your management information with you, identifying trends and helping you take a more proactive approach to workforce wellbeing.

Same Day Reports

Subject to employee consent, management referral reports are delivered on the same day as the appointment — so you're never left waiting for the advice you need.

Nurse-Led Service

Our management referral service is nurse-led, with our experienced Occupational Health Advisers conducting the majority of assessments. For more complex cases, our Occupational Health Physicians are on hand to ensure every employee receives the most clinically appropriate level of expertise.

Built For Occupational Health

Our online portal has been built and maintained in-house by COPE, designed specifically for occupational health. Submit referrals, track cases in real time through our tracking console, and run your own reports whenever you need them — all in one secure, encrypted platform.

See Our Portal In Action

Book a no obligation demo of our occupational health portal and see how our real-time tracking console, self-serve reporting, and secure referral system can streamline your occupational health provision.

Book a Portal Demo

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 us as a team and our colleagues."

Community Housing Group

"We've worked with COPE for many years and found their approach to be highly organized and efficient. From the initial referral to the recommendations is always smooth and streamline with no delays. They identify our priorities and outline a clear plan of action between Managers and their staff. Regular progress updates ensured managers are kept informed, and any adjustments were handled promptly. Based on this experience, COPE offers a dependable and well-structured service for anyone seeking Occupational Health Services."

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

"We have been very pleased with the service provided, and in particular the turnaround times of reports and new starter screening means 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 pleased to recommend their overall service."

Two Counties Trust

Standards You Can Trust

COPE has held our SEQOHS accreditation since 2013, demonstrating our commitment to safe, effective and high quality occupational health services.

View all of our accreditations & certifications