Great to find this site

[Hattie2018]

hi all, just found this site!

Starting to research what happens if I have to retire from work on medical grounds due to severe unrelenting pain which at this time can not be identified although there is consideration that it may be pudendal neuralgia(PD). This along with fibromyalgia and functional neurological disorder (FND). The PD started last November with severe nerve pain in a previously operated on left leg which radiated into my cervix, this pain has been increasing more and more - morphine and buprenorphine patches still not addressing it. Waiting for another pain clinic appointment next month.

Meanwhile been off work for 6 months now and about to go on to half pay (long term NHS service). However job is community based travelling up to 100 miles a day - guess what - due to high level of various drugs it is not safe for me to drive so am very concerned I will not be able to return to work.

So my questions are around medical retirement and/or any extra pay I can get on top of half pay. I will struggle to live on half pay (as do many people) but want to do the right thing going forward.

Lots of advice already been read but if anyone has any ideas it would be great to hear.

[Bananas5]

You may well be eligible for DLA or PIP as it is now..

with2 components....care and mobility. and each having a standard and high rate.

Makes no difference if you work or not aan d non means tested

x

[Bevvy]

As suggested by Bananas5 is probably worth applying for PIP. If you decide to apply for PIP then get help to complete the form. CAB can be helpful, even their website makes suggestions how to complete the form. It is a long process completing form and is “how” you say things that make all the difference. With regards medical retirement, that is potentially complicated. I retired from local government a year and a half ago. With local government you have to be assessed by occupational health, they then ask for gp report and information goes to independent doctor to make decision. There are 3 tiers of pension and each one means different things. Am happy to discuss with you via personal messages if wanted.

What I would say is that work have to show (under Equality Act) that they have made any reasonable adjustments, in order for you to return to work. From the little you have said it doesn’t appear to work have made or suggested any adjustments? Again in my case, work tried extremely hard to meet my needs, this included accepting there were some aspects of my work I simply couldn’t do. However eventually things just became impossible hence Ill health retirement became required.

Finally are you a member of a union? They can be helpful and should advise you. In my case I was quite unhappy with my union rep I’m afraid. I didn’t explain him to know all the answers but disappointed he didn’t find out the information he didn’t know. BUT it was certainly helpful to have them attend the meetings required with HR.

Again happy to discuss further if wanted.

[Scotsman53]

Many people including me have found this site very helpful: benefitsandwork.co.uk/

[Bananas5 in reply to Scotsman53]

Yes they are the besf x

[Hattie2018]

Thanks for this informationWill have a look.

Meanwhile trying to speak to go, again!!!!