Background The population in the UK is predicted to increase in size and age. The National Health Service (NHS) is the largest employer in the UK and demographic changes in the working population would be expected to be reflected in the NHS workforce. Such changes may present different challenges to an NHS occupational physician (OP). Aims To evaluate how the age profile of an NHS workforce is reflected in referral patterns, diagnoses and occupational outcomes for workers assessed by OPs. Methods NHS workers employed by a large acute Trust who were referred to an OP for assessment during 2011–12 were identified. Occupational health data relating to their assessment were analysed to investigate relationships with age. Results Seven hundred and two workers were identified; they were from all staff and age groups employed by the NHS Trust. The highest referral rate to an OP was in staff aged between 41 and 60 years. There was no evidence that workers with long-term conditions assessed by an OP were likely to be older. The occupational outcome of ill-health retirement was linked to age. Conclusions This study suggested that older workers, aged between 41 and 60 years, may be more likely to be referred for assessment by an OP than younger workers. The only occupational outcome linked to age was ill-health retirement, which was more likely for workers over 50 years of age.

中文翻译：

---

职业医师诊所 NHS 工作人员的年龄概况

背景 预计英国人口的规模和年龄将增加。国民健康服务 (NHS) 是英国最大的雇主，预计工作人口的人口变化将反映在 NHS 劳动力中。这些变化可能会给 NHS 职业医师 (OP) 带来不同的挑战。目的 评估 NHS 劳动力的年龄特征如何反映在 OP 评估的工人的转诊模式、诊断和职业结果中。方法 确定在 2011-12 年期间被转介到 OP 进行评估的大型急性信托基金雇用的 NHS 工作人员。分析了与其评估相关的职业健康数据，以调查与年龄的关系。结果确定了702名工人；他们来自 NHS Trust 雇用的所有员工和年龄组。转诊率最高的是年龄在 41 至 60 岁之间的工作人员。没有证据表明由 OP 评估的患有长期疾病的工人可能年龄较大。健康不良退休的职业结果与年龄有关。结论 本研究表明，年龄在 41 至 60 岁之间的老年工人可能比年轻工人更有可能被 OP 转介进行评估。唯一与年龄相关的职业结果是健康不佳的退休，这对于 50 岁以上的工人来说更有可能。年龄在 41 至 60 岁之间的工人可能比年轻工人更有可能被 OP 转介进行评估。唯一与年龄相关的职业结果是健康不佳的退休，这对于 50 岁以上的工人来说更有可能。年龄在 41 至 60 岁之间的工人可能比年轻工人更有可能被 OP 转介进行评估。唯一与年龄相关的职业结果是健康不佳的退休，这对于 50 岁以上的工人来说更有可能。