Ill Health Retirement

[FindingMyself60]

hi all,

Hope everyone is as well as can be expected.

I just wanted some advice on my application for ill health retirement. My application is being considered and I have today been told by my employer that Occupational Health are finding it difficult to get in touch with my Pain Management consultant. They have asked me to contact him. I managed to speak with the consultants secretary today. She said they do not record or log calls so don’t know if anyone has contacted them. However, she also informed me it is my GP that would provide the information as all my reports are sent to my GP. Also that consultants are too busy to respond to such requests as well as the task not being a task that the NHS provides.

I have previously asked the consultant and my GP to support my IHR application and been told that it is up to my Occupational Health doctor to make the decision.

I’m really struggling really need this sorted. Does anyone have any suggestions please.

[Dinkie]

just request copies of all reports from your GP and forward them. If they really want to speak to your consultant and he/she refuses then go straight to PALS at the hospital and ask them so intervene. Consultants however are on strike and as a result will have a considerable backlog.

You are entitled to your reports - were you not provided with a copy of all letters etc ?

Good luck, it’s stressful enough without the medics putting obstacles in your way.

[FindingMyself60 in reply to Dinkie]

Thanks for your response Dinkie. I do have my reports and I have forwarded them to my Occupational Health along with my GP records and cannot understand why they need to contact my consultant!!

Agree the process is so stressful and takes a toll on health.

I have made contact with my union so hopefully they will intervene and support.

[Vonnie-72]

Hi there, i went through ill health retirement last year and this year, it was done by occupational health who just dealt with my gp and did their own reports based on medical information and interviews with me over the phone, the gp had a form to fill in and i gave it to my employer it then went to pension board for a decision. It can be a long and drawn out process and be mindful that the pension money you get will come under unearned income and will be deducted from any benefits you receive in the future.

[FindingMyself60 in reply to Vonnie-72]

Thank you Vonnie. It is indeed a long drawn out process. I’m hoping with all my medical reports already available and a push from the unions will support to push things along.

I hope you got the decision you needed to take care of yourself.