Beyond individual preferences for monitoring absence and disclosing symptoms, knowledge and structural barriers for early recognition of EIDs were recognised. The potential lack of suspicion and awareness among HCWs towards new infections was of concern as EIDs were perceived as rare events. Financial and labour resources required for implementation would impose a burden on already stretched services. The heterogeneity in absence monitoring across professions and lack of communication between working groups would hinder accurate data collection on absence. Furthermore, all participants criticised the lack of funding and minor role of occupational health departments in managing the health of hospital staff. Participants, especially in the UK, were keen for occupational health departments to increase their involvement and assume responsibility for staff with acute as well as chronic conditions. They felt occupational health departments maintained an independence making them well placed for the management of personal health data and symptomatic staff in the work place.