Occupational Health Referral?

[SufferingSilently9]

Hi,

I got called up for a HR meeting (I work in HR so it was just with my supervisor) who told me that because I had 2.5 weeks off for my laparoscopy surgery (taken as medical sick leave) and I had 3.5 days off last week (sent home with flu symptoms and told not to come back until I'm better/cleared) I now have to choose between going for an appointment with Occ Health or not being able to apply for any jobs within the organisation for the next 12 months (meaning I wouldn't be able to move from my current job which everyone knows I'm going to do next July.)

I immediately chose occ health but I'm not even sure what they do and was wondering if anyone has benefited from an occ health referral? Can they make external appointments for me e.g. push for a sooner or another gynae appointment externally? My work knows about my suffering and that I haven't had a diagnosis yet but I'm just worried that occ health will just palm me off like every other doctor has...

Thanks for reading x

[AllthatGlitters]

Hello, Occ Health were very good with me and felt like they were on my side. I was having issues with a manager due to being sick and I found the nurse to be extremely helpful. They ask you all about your illness, as well as could they make any adjustments to your working day eg hours of work, put any recommendations in that they see fit. I noticed my employer sent a referral through to Occ health and had asked a few questions to the nurse and it was to get her opinion on everything too. I also asked to see the report before it went to my employer. Remember nothing overrules what your own GP says! I would definitely go to this appointment and I hope you get a nurse who helps you out and who is sympathetic to what you are going through.

How come you can’t go for other jobs? That doesn’t sound right at all to me x

[SufferingSilently9 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thanks for responding, I hope occ health can help me, my gp is terrible so I hope they go by my all around doctors notes and not just my gp...

[katie_o]

Hi

Don’t worry about occupational health, to be honest in every real sickness case I’ve known referred to them (including me) they are on the side of the employee.

I see being referred as a definite plus as they are trained and understanding and they are fully aware that tests, operations and illnesses last longer than our work sickness policies allow for.

Good luck and I’m sure you’ll be fine

Cath xx

[MaloushkaPat]

Yes don't worry about it. I was also referred to OH, I was dreading the appointment but the nurse I saw was simply amazing and clearly on my side. I was lucky she knew lots about endo and she made suggestions for reasonable adjustments (in my case working from up when I have a flare up) to HR and my manager.

Good luck! X

[brokenbladder]

My occ health have been great! They have made adjustments at work when I have needed it (reduced hours, no night shifts). They won’t have any influence over anything external but definitely worth talking with them x

[Belle17]

When I was pregnant and was extremely ill I had to go through occupational health and they were fantastic. Told me not to worry about work or my supervisors/ boss, said I did not need to go back to work. However I was feeling better and so told them I did want to go back and they gave my boss a long list of things that would need to be in place for me to return to work x