Has anyone been to an occupational health medical?

[Galaxy2]

My employers have arranged this for me to assess whether I am fit to return to work or not. I have been off work for 8 months and they have been very understanding but I am now worried where all this is going, I am also worried I will have a doctor whose knowledge of vasculitis is limited and he/she won't understand the problems I face. Can anyone share their experiences?

Thanks

[PatriciaAnn]

Hi Jenny

I haven't had an occupational health medical but before I retired I worked for an Occupational Health Department within a large nationalised industry. Provided the doctor undertaking the assessment follows the same pattern that our doctors used then they should be able to obtain the necessary information.

You will be seen and possibly examined,

The doctor should then write to your GP and your CONSULTANT and ask for a FULL report (the GP/consultant is paid for this but that is paid for by the company. So ask if that is what he or she is going to do, and if they say no, then ask why not and that under the circumstances (this being a rare disease) you feel that it ought to be done.

[PatriciaAnn]

Oops had a bit more to say:

If it is decided that you are not yet fit for work then arrangements will be made to see you again. At that time the doctor should again contact your GP and you CONSULTANT for an update.

Hope that helps.

PatriciaAnn

[Essex-jill]

Hi Jenny.

I was recently awarded I'll health retirement after 33 years as a nurse ( I'm aged 50 ) to help me get the highest tier possible I asked Dr Jayne from Addenbrookes to write a letter stating my health issues, which he kindly did. I then wrote my own account on how each aspect of my vasculitis and renal failure affected my every day living, clearly documenting the medications I was taking and how I was experiencing the extreme fatigue, bruising, nosebleeds, joint pains etc and how difficult it was for me to work full time and deal with the illness. This was forwarded to the company dealing with NHS I'll health retirement. I was very successful and was granted the highest tier of pension possible. I do not think I would have been given tier 2 without this supporting information, as the forms only allowed a brief answer to each. My Gp also wrote a letter supporting my claim, as did my occupational health doctor.

Wishing you good luck.

Regards

Jill x

[Galaxy2]

Thanks Jill and PatriciaAnn

I am really hoping to get back to work at some time and really hoping they don't close that door for me as I think it would be so hard in the future to find a new job with such a bad sick record behind me. I think for me too at the moment I have a goal to work towards to get better and back to work, even if only part time and if my job is taken away I think I will get very down. Good to hear that they should contact my specialist for his input and not go on a medical alone, I will as you suggested ask questions to make sure this will happen.

Thanks for your help

Jenny x

[ARFalk]

Hi Jenny

my experience of occupational health has been positive, I was taken ill with W.G when I was 62 yrs old and wanted to retire but the occupational health doctor advised I carried on work,which I did ,part time for 2.5 yrs up untill Xmas last year,before they could do anything I had to agree that they could access all my medical records.

I had a very understanding Company that I worked for , but I think there are legal requirements that they have to adhere to, I hope everything works out for you

Alan

[Spudgun]

Hi Jenny,

I've been through all this recently and after being off sick for almost two and a half years and my third meeting with the OHA I have been dismissed from my job due to 'Capability' - This was due to my lung damage which my Lung consultant advised the Occupational Health Adviser that I could no longer work in the dust and fumes that were present in the factory. Even though my job was split between office work and working with my team of Craftsmen the Company decided that I could not come back to my original job and they had no other role to offer me that would not affect my condition. At 49 this hasn't been good news as all I receive is 3 months pay and owed holiday pay but I have had time to prepare for this situation so am trying to stay positive, maybe time to set up my own business?

I know this isn't helping you that much at present but thought that all sides need to be mentioned,

I have only recently found this site so hopefully you will be able to get the advice needed to prevent what has happened to me happening to you.

Hope all goes well

Nige.

[kath12341]

Hi I have had an occupational assessment but it was when I returned to work to make sure i had the right equipment. Hope it goes well Use the advice given and get your consultant involved if they do push for retirment to get the best offer avaiable

[milliewin]

Hi, I have recently had an Occupational Health assessment that ended up finally with me being dismissed from my job due to ill health. I have Cerebral Vasculitis and initially had a year off work. After an Occupational assessment I then went back to work for 2 years, however during this time my health deteriorated and I knew that I couldnt carry on performing my job properly in a school for special needs and after various meetings with school management and Occupational Health, I was finally dismissed as I was not able to reduce my hours sufficiently. I finished last September and sadly this was the right thing to do for my health. The doctor at Occupational Health was not a specialist in my condition but he had letters from both my GP and Neurologist and think that was really important to have and would definitely recommend you do the same? As to whether I will work again, who knows, but the time comes when you have to put your health first.

I havn't been on this site for a while and you may already have had your assessment but good luck anyway.

Best wishes

Sarah

[milliewin]

Hi, I have recently had an Occupational Health assessment that ended up finally with me being dismissed from my job due to ill health. I have Cerebral Vasculitis and initially had a year off work. After an Occupational assessment I then went back to work for 2 years, however during this time my health deteriorated and I knew that I couldnt carry on performing my job properly in a school for special needs and after various meetings with school management and Occupational Health, I was finally dismissed as I was not able to reduce my hours sufficiently. I finished last September and sadly this was the right thing to do for my health. The doctor at Occupational Health was not a specialist in my condition but he had letters from both my GP and Neurologist and think that was really important to have and would definitely recommend you do the same? As to whether I will work again, who knows, but the time comes when you have to put your health first.

I havn't been on this site for a while and you may already have had your assessment but good luck anyway.

Best wishes

Sarah

[PoppyS]

I have had an occupational therapy assessment and they had no idea what WG was but whatever I said was backed up by the Consultant and after a phased return to work was back to part time hours. The company should make allowances based on the Occupational Health Report and if they agree that you should come under the Disability Discrimination Act the company should allow for this. I was not dismissed quite the opposite to accommodate the disability. I went back to work after 6 months and have been able to work ever since at one point working 30 hours and also part time teaching driving.

I had another one about a year ago as the Occupational Health Company changed and this was done over the telephone I provided them with all the information on WG and told them what I needed to continue in employment which was regular breaks to stop the stiffness and there is never any question of time off for appointments at the hospital, I do not have much time off with sickness but this is never questioned and not abused.

[Galaxy2]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies, I feel a little better prepared now and know what to expect of it. I will just have to see what comes of it and hope.

Thanks

Jenny