"We were delighted to visit InterHealth for a UK Ministry Medical; the staff were very welcoming and there was plenty of time to talk to the doctor. Their unhurried, empathetic and professional approach meant that we would wholeheartedly recommend this medical to others. It is good to get any health concerns checked out sooner rather than later and to stop and assess your lifestyle and work-life balance. Even if it feels like nothing’s wrong at the moment, its good to keep it that way!”

Charlie and Anita Cleverly, St Aldate's, Oxford

Our Approach

We combine evidence based screening with a holistic approach to health care. We look with care at all health issues which may have any impact on the ability of candidates to fulfil their work as ministers in the Church of England. We concentrate on personal engagement and discussion with the client as this often provides the most useful information of all.

Health screening

We arrange, on- site, an extensive range of blood tests, including more than the standard cholesterol and blood sugar examination, as offering those alone leaves many other problems unidentified. This is especially true in older clergy. We give particular emphasis to health and well-being, regular exercise, appropriate weight and a healthy work-life balance. This usually leads to a sensitive exploration of any underlying psychological health issues.

Psychological Health

Indeed assessing mental health is an integral and essential part of our screening and is only possible in a face to face setting. When in doubt we are able to refer clients to our Psychological Health Services (PHS) team for a fuller assessment (or stress management).

Sometimes spiritual issues have an impact on clergy health and occasionally they are of vital importance. Where relevant we would expect to identify such issues in the normal course of a pre-employment screen.

Occupational Health

We aim to combine a primary occupational health commitment to organisations we work with -with an approach which is also of value to the client. We will therefore report back within 5 working days, or earlier when necessary. We are able to speak to HR professionals, archdeacons and others after due consent, about any specific health problems which may affect the individual’s fitness to work, or on any restrictions or adaptations that may be necessary. We are always available for email or phone consultations either at the time of the medical or subsequently for no extra charge.

From the clients’ perspective we offer an unhurried and unthreatening approach, aim to spend 45 to 60 minutes in the consultation and examination, write a detailed report with explanation of results, and where necessary correspond with their GP.

Email and phone advice

In addition the client is welcome to email or phone any of our health team at any time over the next 2 years for no extra charge, including out of hours. Because the pre-employment medical, though designed for the employer, inevitably doubles as a competent medical check for the client, there is a double benefit. This means that no further health screening would normally be indicated for a further two years.

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What we cover

Over many years we have evolved a personal client - focussed approach, complemented by a series of clinically important investigations. These investigations are evidence based and also reflect what both employing organisations and clients most value in a health assessment.

We consider a careful face to face medical with an experienced doctor an essential part of a comprehensive pre-employment screening for long-term service in any organisation, and in particular one which includes Christian ministry.

Our pre-employment screening includes:

• Booking appointments by phone or on line. We can usually offer appointments within 48 hours.
  
• Strict confidentiality with built in safeguards for senior or sensitive appointments
  
• Medicals carried out at convenient location and in relaxed surroundings within easy reach of Waterloo Station.
  
• An unhurried discussion of health issues, aided but not fully determined by a pre-completed focussed health questionnaire sent by email or by post to the client in advance.
  
• A detailed medical examination but one which avoids intrusive examinations unless they are both clinically necessary and the client has given informed consent.
  
• A blood screen, with a complement of tests and price specially negotiated with London’s leading lab, The Doctors Laboratory. Tests are taken at InterHealth at the time of the medical and comprise a full haematology and biochemistry profile, which in women includes thyroid function, and in men over 45 prostate specific antigen.
  
• Occasionally other tests are clinically indicated.

We rarely do a resting ECG as there is little evidence of its value in healthy individuals. However where clinically indicated we can refer clients to St. Lukes for an almost immediate cardiology assessment including a treadmill test, usually for no extra price.

A free travel health consultation can be added for any clergy who are regular travellers or who have overseas parish or diocesan links.

In situations where either the examining doctor or the clergy feel it appropriate we can refer to a PHS team member, and are able to offer a wide range of services, including a formal assessment from a consultant psychiatrist or clinical psychologist

We have direct links to St. Lukes Hospital for the Clergy to whom we can make direct referrals which can be useful and timely if a more significant problem is found, as quite commonly occurs.

We are able to carry out other forms of health care on clergy including sickness absence, biennial health checks, and psychological health care all of which can be done in a more effective and focussed way where clients have been originally seen at InterHealth for their pre-employment medicals.

How to book  

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