so I’m a week away from the laparoscopy with the awful private doctor. Who will lift me for £3800 (Hope he enjoys spending it) and I have decided to end the communication with him after that and keep pushing to see the gynaecologists local to me. So far I’ve been 14 months waiting. The pain was really bad a few weeks ago and I had to leave work early. I was bent double and it was awful. Im a shift worker (ED nurse) and so not think I can go back to those long hours. Is there anybody that has successfully negotiated there working hours or managed to change their shift patterns
Thanks again ❤️
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Greenlady48
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hi i am an nhs worker and looking to adjust my shift amd some.days are hell when.i have my period i plan to discuss this in the new year and hopegully get some reduced hours we should het flexible working mite to worth a chat to hr good luck
Yes I have. I was an NHS nurse too. Ask for a referral to Occupational Health, it is completely confidential. They ask your permission to see your medical notes as well as discussing your situation with you and then send a report to your manager. The report does not contain details of your health condition only it’s effects on you and what adjustments you need to help you.
It is a good idea to think through in advance what would help eg shift patterns, change in duties, rest breaks and also what is realistic for your workplace to be able to offer. If they genuinely cannot give you what you need, they might suggest a move to another department for example.
I was working 12 hour shifts and got a reduction in my hours so that I didn’t start till 10am. It suited me because it was a shorter day and I didn’t have to get up early, and it suited my work because most people liked early shifts. Later when I was struggling again I was offered a job in a day service 9-5.
I think at present you are in a good position because of the shortage of nurses, they want to retain you due to your training and skills so should try and accommodate you. They also don’t want you to have to be off sick because you are not coping.
If you have any problems with this though or are being hassled about the amount of sick time you have, speak to your union.
Hi. NHS nurse here. I have considered contacting occupational health because of my absences. My pain levels are increasing and so it's the time off sick. My problem is that I've not been formally diagnosed, my gynaecologist said it could be either endo or IBS (we all know too well symptoms are quite similar) and don't know how that will go with Occ health.I don't think a reduction of hours could benefit me in anyway, I just can't stand on my feet for maybe 2 days. Maybe arranging my rota around my period would suit me best.
I know exactly where you are coming from. I started a new job last year as we moved. More travel longer hours. The lot! My pains were getting worse and I was constantly exhausted. The only way I know how it works is if you go off sick for a long period. A lot of managers won’t involve occi health as it involves working to an adjustment. Ive asked to reduce my days and hours. Ive got friends who have been medically retired with a 30k payout and a pension of 1k a month and they were much younger than me. I’m up for taking off the whole 6 months if necessary. The fact that what we have is a medical problem and we work for the nhs must go in our favour. I’m so sorry to hear of your struggles. It’s life changing and exhausting. Having a chronic illness and working in healthcare I feel I’m never away from it. I love my work but it’s changed and I’ve changed. And they must make adjustments for me to continue. If they don’t then I’m happy to take it much further.
Check your own organisation’s policy but in the NHS you should be able to refer yourself/ request a referral to Occ Health, not wait on your manager doing it.
Medical retirement is very hard to come by in my experience, not to get the employer to let you go, they are happy to do that if you have a lot of sick time, but to get the NHS pension. The rules for that are a lot stricter and you really have to be unable to work.
Good luck with your lap, and yes, definitely take as much time off as you need. Hope it gives you some improvement.
I still think it’s worth trying Occ Health. They really want to see your medical notes so they can confirm what you are telling them. It could help even with rearranging your rota, to give you a guarantee that will be honoured. If you are off sick for a couple of days every month that will trigger an absence review with your manager so best to get ahead of the game and show you are trying to do what you can to improve the situation,
Are you going to be having further investigations/ treatment as it can help to say that too - shows things may improve.
Thanks for your message.It's difficult because they're short absences mainly and sometimes over my days off, not having an impact on my attendance. But last month I needed 6 days, worried that it will happen again this month.
So, how would I give Occ health access my medical notes? I don't even have a letter from my gynecologist with my alleged diagnosis.
It's under further investigation, I've been referred by my gp to my nearest endometriosis centre.
When you see the Occ Health doctor, or maybe before I can’t remember, they give you a form to fill in authorising access to your notes. They do it all from there.
I’ve arranged with the manager to be referred to occi health and it was difficult as they obviously don’t want me to reduce my hours. 12.5hr shifts are just too long and I’ve pushed it. I’m thinking less days and less hours will be better. I’m 53 next birthday and it’s all too stressful trying to juggle menopause with a heath condition.
We wish you all the very best with your forthcoming laparoscopy.
If you haven't already seen it, we have a couple of resources for employees on our website, which may be useful. It's not specific to work within the NHS, but does outline some hints and tips for managing your endometriosis at work, as well as a guide to your rights at work. You can find this information at endometriosis-uk.org/resources under 'For Employees'. There are also some personal stories about how other people have managed their endometriosis at work, which may be of interest.
Take care - really hope you're able to negotiate better shift patterns/shorter hours with your employer once you've had your surgery x
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