Dr. Robert Ryan:

There is social welfare certification but there is also certification between the GP and the employer, which allows a dialogue to take place, particularly if there is a case manager as the link person between the employee, the employer and the doctors looking after the patient. This would give an opportunity to explore the boundaries, limitations or blocks on both sides. For the individual it would be a question of what he or she is capable or not capable of doing, but the case manager would also engage with the employer, asking whether it can work with this person who is not fit to carry out all the duties he or she used to perform but is fit for, say, eight of the ten duties. The employer might be able to provide the individual with a slightly altered role while he or she is rehabilitated. It is really a question of communicating with the employee, the employer and the doctors to help a person get back to work sooner.