Has anyone had any experience with 'Fit For Work'?

Meant to say to the telephone assessment will be roughly the same as a face to face and will probably be carried out by an OH doctor (my work employed a doctor when they required these OH assessments). I was asked about my accident and the surgery I received, whether I had received physio and what sort of things I could do and how my disability was affecting me. I was also asked if I thought there was any work I could do? They followed it up with a medical report from the surgeon who operated on me and they also asked his opinion on the likelihood of me returning to work in any capacity. I would be asking your HR person what your options are if it is decided you will be unable to return to work in any capacity and get everything in writing now as you need to protect your own interests.
Also as this was an accident at work that caused your injuries have you considered you may have a personal injury claim against your employer? They have insurance to cover themselves for this. Because my injuries were caused by a Hungarian Lorry Driver called Atilla and his very large lorry , my employer employed and paid a PI lawyer for me as I had serious injuries. It was Jobcentre Plus that told me it was still an industrial accident as I was in a company vehicle on my way to a conference so it was still an accident "at work".

Chook said:

Thanks for the information - I've written it all down to raise with HR woman next time I speak or see her.

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Don't speak to her - write to her. It gives you time to compose and think about what you want to know. As I said previously I am happy to help you any way I can as your situation is similar to mine.

Also, if you have legal assistance as part of your house insurance (we always done this as hubby has no union)... you could phone up the legal assistance people. They have helped us enormously with huge amounts previously.

They have solicitors that specialise in different areas Ie divorce, employment law etc and they should certainly be able to help as to what this telephone call should involve...

Aaah, yes.. I forgot that aspect of it. They do indeed take over the sick notes from GPs......crikey, totally forgot that.

Glad you had a positive experience. Thank goodness it doesn't sound like a Company like ATOS that are paid by DSS on targets of getting people back to work.

Thanks for the information. Thats really good to hear.

donnellysdogs said:

Aaah, yes.. I forgot that aspect of it. They do indeed take over the sick notes from GPs......crikey, totally forgot that.

Glad you had a positive experience. Thank goodness it doesn't sound like a Company like ATOS that are paid by DSS on targets of getting people back to work.

Thanks for the information. Thats really good to hear.

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Yes I was blessed with ATOS at the end of September. To be fair when I was eventually seen the doctor was very nice and it only took 35 mins probably because I have very visible disabilities so they didn't subject me to anything that would be obviously impossible. The getting to that stage was a nightmare as they placed the first appointment where I would have had a 140 mile round trip when they had 3 assessment centres less than 10 miles away. Changing the assessment was awful as I got a really nasty woman who should never have been allowed near the public. All in though it wasn't bad.

Chook said:

Oh - sorry - I didn't see those last two messages.

Well, I had the phone call - an hour and eighteen minutes - and the Nurse who spoke to me was great! Very sympathetic. He's phoning my doctor about certain aspects of my care which he says aren't up to standard and he will be contacting my employer to tell them he considers I won't be fit for work for at least three months and that even then he doesn't think I'll be able to do anything very active/energetic. Apparently Fit For Work now take over the issuing of my Fit/Sick notes (for the next three months) and he will be contacting me each month to find out if anything has changed with me. He was also able to make recommendations for a variety of therapies which might be of some use and he'll be emailing contact details to me.

What is interesting is that he will compile a report which can be shared with my GP and my employer with my consent and although I was referred by my employer it is me that they talk to now - not my employer without my permission.

So, if anyone in the future is asked to participate in this Fit For Work scheme, I would say go ahead but have all your information: dates, medications (including dosage), ailments, most recent sick note, etc, ready in advance as they want to know everything about your medical history.

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So glad it was such a positive experience. Onward and upwards!

Chook said:

he was a bit surprised about the low carbing as (as far as he knew) it was only medical professionals that were treating their diabetes this way.

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Now doesn't that just take the biscuit! hahahaha!

Chook said:

Oooh - meant to say.... of course as we were talking about my overall health we had to discuss my diabetes and he was a bit surprised about the low carbing as (as far as he knew) it was only medical professionals that were treating their diabetes this way. He then recommended visiting this forum as there are lots of help and support here. Wooo hooooo! (Funny, I was writing all this info down and suddenly though 'that looks familiar').

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Have you looked up the interviewing person to look at their credentials?

I didn't go to job centre for ESA it was all done over the phone, I did see a nurse though at a clinic, if you claim ESA claim PIP as well, if you have some one looking after you they may be entitled to carers allowance. Once you get ESA apply for a blue badge and/or bus pass.

You can also register forba CEA card and get free access for someone to accomoany you to most cinemas.
In some cases you can also get warmer house £140 off your bills.
There is actually a lot of help aailable. I know the Macmillan nurses / helpline run through everything with you and are very knowledgeable for helping people...yes, know its not diabetes related but for anybody that is ill and on low income then help is available...

@Chook, do you belong to a union. If you do then they will take your case on for you. I had a barrister supplied by the Union and the Union also met with me periodically to help me with all the necessary paperwork and attended meetings when my employers arranged them with me.
I was assaulted at work, (psychiatry NHS) and took my employers to court as they were negligent with staffing levels and they had "witnesses" who told a different story to mine, even though they witnessed the assault.
It was a long, hard slog and took 4 years before we went to court.
They negotiated a settlement with me before the case started, even though we were all in the courtroom. They had tried to put me in another role at work but they did not follow it through and tailed off the supposed training for it and I was off sick for months. I was eventually relying on Sick pay from the Government and it was nowhere near enough, considering what I had been earning. (You have to pay this back if you win your case).
I ended up being given a substantial payout and am also in receipt of a permanent injury benefit.
You really do need the best advice that you can get.
Do not go alone to any interviews with your employer, even if it is just a friend that accompanies you as you will not have a witness to what is said and you will need that if you decide to sue them. Papers get "lost" and conversations you have had can be twisted once they know you are going to sue..
You may think this is a cynical view but it happened to me.