The decline in numbers of UK occupational health (OH) professionals has been well-documented as has the consequent reduction in research capacity [1,2]. In consequence, NHS OH services have been pared to the bone, are lean, cost-effective and are accustomed to finding innovative ways to use the multidisciplinary team as effectively and efficiently as possible. Indeed, in situations where they have not been able to do so, they have often been replaced by cheaper, privately contracted services. The C OVID-19 pandemic has put NHS staff in the spotlight as never before. The 'front line' have received well-deserved praise and support from, among others, our government, politicians, professional athletes, celebrities and the Queen. However, the very thin line of NHS OH services has needed to stretch to pick up completely new workloads: screening the health of staff for their risk of working in their existing roles; screening and on-boarding large numbers of volunteers and returners; and administering and reporting antigen test results to make return to work decisions.
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