Ill health retirement from NHS - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Ill health retirement from NHS

janebradshaw profile image
26 Replies

Hi All....i have just started the process of ill health retirement from my job as a Nurse Specialist in the NHS....i have Polands syndrome from birth and Fibromyalgia diagnosed in 2008. From the Polands i have scoliosis and arthritis in my spine and lots of pain. The Fibro gives me multiple problems of pain, stiffness and chronic fatigue. I have struggled on for the last 3 years, had lots od changes to my job, reducing my hours, working from home and being flexible. The trouble is that the brave face i have been wearing is slipping and im now struggling with even getting up in the morning. ...work have been great and very supportive. HR and my manager support my ill health retirement as does the Occupational Health Dr and my GP. I an anxious about the process as i have no experience of what may or will happen...ita taken months to realise that I cannot carry on doing the job i love.

Does anyone else have an experience of the process and how long it may take..

thanks all

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janebradshaw
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26 Replies
Betty67 profile image
Betty67

sorry Jane can not answer your specific question but sending good wishes at this difficult time for you.

Lottieonline profile image
Lottieonline

I work for NHS whereabouts are you?

janebradshaw profile image
janebradshaw in reply toLottieonline

I work in west norolk but live near st ives in cambridgeshire....

lou60 profile image
lou60

When my Husband retired from work due to illness it took very little time after the decision was made that he could not continue in work to everything being finalised. As you have support at work it may just be a case of deciding when enough is enough and choose a time to stop work. I hope that made sense. Wishing you all the best. Lou xx

secondhandrose2 profile image
secondhandrose2

I am sorry Jane but I do not know about the process. However if you are struggling so much you might see about reducing your hours on medical advice. That would be a compromise situation which would make things easier for you and also support your claim.

Suex

jellynpain profile image
jellynpain

Hi,

There is quite alot online of peoples experience with nhs ill health retirement.

I know it is down to the pension providers to decide an application outcome (think that's how they are described). The employers, OH etc. letters are purely supportive to your application.

There are two tires to apply to.

They likely will want proof that you have exhausted all treatment options (not declined any also) and also that your condition is expected to be there at least until your normal retirement age.

You should get the literature from the provider on this. I think it is downloadable. Your employer should request a value statement for you. Don't get it yourself as they charge. It takes at least 8-12 weeks plus to arrive.

I am not an expert and of course these things can change over time. The above is the basic principles though.

Wishing you good luck xx

Evadne profile image
Evadne in reply tojellynpain

What does this mean....

About the literature from the provider. where can I download this please. What is a value statement.

Sorry if this sounds stupid,!

secondhandrose2 profile image
secondhandrose2

Jane

Another thought would be to ask for voluntary redundancy - I did that from teaching and got a lump sum as well. As long as you manage to keep going (making yourself more ill in the process) they will not encourage you to go, but once it starts costing them because you are off sick they are likely to be more accommodating.

x

Mogi52 profile image
Mogi52

hi Jane , can't help with your request but will be curious to hear how you get on, I too work with the NHS and have done for 34 years, I am currently on long term sick leave and struggling to come to terms with the fact that I as well may never be able to do the job I love ever again. It is all so overwhelming and scary. Love and hugs to you and I hope all works out , mogi52 xx

janebradshaw profile image
janebradshaw in reply toMogi52

Hi

I have struggled so much with the idea that I can no longer manage my job. It's a horrible feeling to think I am giving up all I know. I've done 25, got my Queens Nurse Award in 2012 and even then never imagined giving in. X

janebradshaw profile image
janebradshaw in reply toMogi52

Although sad for me too, nice to know I'm not alone. Take care and gentle hugs

Mogi52 profile image
Mogi52

Hi Jane , I know how you must be feeling , I never thought I would wnd in this position, I love my job and am finding it so hard sitting at home not being able to do everyday things, to think that 6/7 months ago I was doing 12 hour shifts where I was literally on my feet from start to finish but I loved it, thrived on it, it's all I've legally known all my working life Jane . You take care and if you ever want to talk , well I'm here for you xx

janebradshaw profile image
janebradshaw in reply toMogi52

Thank you and you too ... We all need someone who gets it rather than someone who thinks they do. Many hugs x

Mogi52 profile image
Mogi52 in reply toMogi52

Just read through my post there and legally should read literally , honest , lol xx

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi janebradshaw

I have not been through anything of this nature, but I wanted to wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

janebradshaw profile image
janebradshaw in reply toTheAuthor

Thank you. I'm trying to think positive that everything will work out for the best ✨

janebradshaw profile image
janebradshaw

Thank you ....

janebradshaw profile image
janebradshaw

Thank you all for your comments. It's so nice to know that I can ask a question and get kind words and advice rather than unhelpful things that I have experienced on other sites.

You are all a wonderful group of people

Much love

Jane

thekeys46 profile image
thekeys46

Hi Jane,

I took ill health retirement from my Nhs job after working for 32 years.

I had the backing of my manager and occ health Dr. I had been off sick for a year.

I was worried that I wouldn't get the category 2 ill health retirement( this adds some years to the time you have worked for NHS and therefore enhances your pension) I worried needlessly. I had a meeting with HR in the October and made the decision to finish. Reports were sent to DWP from my occ health Dr, rheumatologist and GP. It took about 2 months for their decision to come through and I was granted category 2 IHR which was finalised in the March. I miss my job and my work colleagues but realise I couldn't carry on. It has been difficult coming to terms with the fact that I had to finish but I realise I was fortunate in having a pension and so do not have to rely on benefits.

I hope this helps you. Fell free to message me if you need any more information xx

Evadne profile image
Evadne in reply tothekeys46

Hi Jane, do you mind me asking what your diagnosis is...

I have multiple diagnoses and was only given Tier 1.

I intend to put in a dispute.

Thanks

AnnaC64 profile image
AnnaC64 in reply tothekeys46

Hello (thekey46)I’ve recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia (Rheumatologist), I’ve had widespread pain for past 10-12 years, I believe my condition was due to lots of stress in a terrible 14 year marriage . Past few years I’ve developed severe fatigue, weakness, poor thinking, poor memory, poor concentration and I get very upset over the slightest thing. My symptoms are now making it impossible to carry out my job and many daily activities. I’m currently on the sick and have been signed off on sick for past month and have another 8 weeks covered by sick note. I’m going to apply for ill health retirement with the NHS, I’ve nursed for past 20 years. I’m really scared to start the process and am worried if I’ll be able to manage financially. I understand tier 2 is the better option but don’t know if I could get this. Any advice would be very much appreciated, thank you

Anna x

Bezzer51 profile image
Bezzer51

Hello I have only recently joined this forum and just wanted to say I too have just requested early retirement with nhs, my manager, supervisor and GP have given me full support and are dealing with the application and process for me, all I have had to do is fill out part B of the AW33e form .

I actually work at my Drs surgery, and was diagnosed by my Dr as having fibromyalgia nearly 7 years now.

All the comments here to your questions, the thoughts and feelings of you all who have to or have already had to stop work are exactly how I feel , I have read the comments and could literally of written them all myself as they relate to me and my life now exactly.

So I take comfort I am not alone in trying to get through each and everyday just like all of you, if you don't mind I would like to let you know my decision/outcome of my application which is still in the first stages like you Jane.

Lv Bee x 🐝

zimcy profile image
zimcy

Hi Jane, I retired on tier 2 from the NHS last Febuary and after my Occupational health consultant completed his part of the form and sent it off it only took about two months for it to be agreed, I didn't have to see anyone else.

It's pretty straight forward your manager compleats her part first basically from your sickness reviews with her then you compleat your part saying how your illness affects you then lastly your occupational health consultant.

Good luck there's nothing to worry about.

AnnaC64 profile image
AnnaC64 in reply tozimcy

Hi ZimcyYour post has helped reduce my stress about applying for ill health retirement with NHS. I’d welcome any advice from you

Thank you

Anna x

jcnps profile image
jcnps

Wow just come across this thread....struggling to stay working in the nhs so welcome hearing about what others have been/are going through.

So difficult when talking to people who have no experience or compassion and just want to tick boxes.

Best wishes to all

Julia N

Evadne profile image
Evadne

It took me 5 months...my employment as a Social Worker in Child Mental Health was terminated on 31 March last year. I was awarded Tier 1 on 31 August of same year. Unfortunately Tier 1 is not good enough when you've been forced out if your job.

Tier 1 has no enhancement and also no penalty for taking early ill health retirement or pension. (So Tier 1 is unable to do current NHS job due to permanent ill health ), while (Tier 2 is Unable to carry out

regular employment of like duration to NHS employment due to permanent ill health in addition to meeting the Tier 1 condition).

In the interim I've not drawn any of my pension as I wish to dispute the NHS PENSIONS decision of Tier 1. I don't understand how they could not grant me Tier 2 when it's clear that I have multiple diagnoses and loads of prescribed medications/polypharmacy.

I do hope you are successful in your application.

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