Ill health retirement - no further forward!

[kazzafunk]

Those of you who know I am going through the ill health retirement appeal process.
Letter today states I can't go further until I provide evidence the condition is permanent. They suggest a letter from my specialist - I am not seeing one!!!
At least they accept that I have a condition that stops me from discharging my duties. Means absolutely nothing though without the permenancy bit!!
So now I am stuck - GP has said its likely to be permanent. What more would they like - me to write it in blood?!!!
So no full and final offer to be made just yet. Gonna go to bed and think about it now. Anyone think I should pay for a private report from an ortho specialist?

[Shining]

Hi Kazza, it might be worth the expense but that would depend on how much as I've no idea how much that cost would be.

[Julie]

Hi Kazza - explain in writing you're not under a specialist and have supplied all documents from GP, however if they wish to refer you to a leading rehab service then of course you will co-operate. This is a service the employer pays for and gives an in depth report so should provide the info needed.

Worth a shot before you pay for a specialist.

[kazzafunk]

Thanx Julie - bleeding civil service!! I appreciate it's hard diagnosing back problems as being permanent but I would hazard a guess as I have had this since 1997 with deteriorations since 2009 it's not going away!!
Getting fed up with kneeling at my desk for part of the day now coz I can't sit for long.

[Julie]

You should not be kneeling at a desk for any duration and they certainly should not allow it!

When was the last time you had a workstation assessment?

[kazzafunk]

Gosh Julie this is another thing!! After 5 months off sick I went back in March doing an hour each day and have now built it up to 5 per day. They took 2 1/2 months to get someone out to me who then said they were not medically trained and I had to wait for ATOS. I had a bitchy fit last week as it hadn't been arranged and they are coming on Monday 18th.
Trouble is I have already had the oral warning and don't want to take much sick so as I work in a huge office with only 5 of us it's only them that know how much I kneel to get through the day. I've done 27 years there and the dept love to dismiss at the moment on unsatisfactory attendance. I know if they dismissed me I would probably win a tribunal or something on the fact they got rid of me due to my disability but wouldn't retire me but it's all the hsaale of going through it with an IVA and everything.
Don't get me wrong, I love my job but with the pain condition and the ME I also have this bursitis in the base of my spine which makes sitting unbearable.
Without sounding dramatic, by the time I get home at 12.30 I literally crawl round the house and waste the afternoons by medicating to the extent I can't do anything so I can go in the next morning.
Madness!

[Julie]

They would be foolish to dismiss you on attendance given the documented reasons and length of service. Is your warning a first stage and when did this apply? ( no such thing as a verbal/oral warning)

I know you're friends with others on FB, so I'll send you a friend suggestion and if I can help off forum, I will.

I'm currently pushing for ill health retirement for an employee (with his agreement), as he cannot fulfill his duties and I want him to have the best payout possible.

[kazzafunk]

Thanks Julie - you are a star. I feel like I am being shafted at the moment.

[Julie]

I won't let anyone shaft you, not without a factual fight [:D]

[Foggy]

Thanks Julie - you are a star. I feel like I am being shafted at the moment.

That's the civil service all round at the moment ... the underlying raison d'etre of the day is to reduce numbers, and I suspect they are happy to do it, in part, by cheesing everyone off so much that they throw in the towel.

My lot never listen to medical opinion but send us unfortunates to the private equivalent of what used to be Welfare or Occupational Health (at, no doubt, great cost). They only seem to listen to this company !!!!

[Julie]

FB request sent kazza.