Has anyone extended their sick pay with the NHS beyond a year?

[EachandEveryone]

My half pay will be finishing in December. My aim is to go back with a very phased return but I doubt it will be in December more like Feb/March as I have accumulated loads of annual leave. Thats the trouble with cancer, you just cant plan.

I started chemo January which went on throughout the Summer. Then after more tests it hadnt worked as well as theyd hoped so Ive just finished radio and I beleive it takes awhile to kick in. My appt is later this month. Then it might be sugery to take my affected lymph nodes out this will be in my groin so may or may not have an effect on my leg. Or if Im very very lucky my consultant will beable too get me immunotherapy which is my best shot. My type of cancer should respond well to it. The only downside is that they cant find the primary which is obviously devasting for me but they are doing all they can.

i look fine but feel like rubbish. Ive started to go out and about abit. Ive been to a couple of west end shows etc. people at work have seen photos of me. I guess you know whats coming. Yesterday at a party one of my seniors said you look well when are you coming back. I just said not as long as I have a picc line in and am being treated for secondary cancer. People keep comparing cancers with me. Its draining.

apparently theres afew at work now starting to talk as its been nearly a year. We are all nurses.

I-need to write to my dept manager dont I. Im not very good at this. Any tips? My friend who is senior sent me an excerpt from the nhs handbook. Ill attach.

sorry its long.

Have you had occupational health involved? I'd probably recommend that as the way forward if not.

I guess theres no point doing anything until your next consultant appointment, as you may then have a better idea of the state of play in terms of recovery. Hope things go well for you.

It sounds like they'd extend it for a short time if there was a realistic chance of the member of staff going back to work anytime soon. As unfortunate as it is, that doesn't sound like that applies to you, but it's worth a try if you do plan to go back in the near future? Are you in a union who could advise? As a nurse, is there special provision in NMC to keep your PIN if you're long term sick even though you can't do the hours?

I expect there is. I’m hoping to go back it’s just everything hangs on the next appointment, then the one after that etc, it’s just not a straightforward cancer but I’m lucky it’s stayed contained so far. I’ve had one phone call in the year checking on me. I feel it’s up to me to reach out now. They do have weekly meetings with HR and I’ve surely been mentioned.

I managed to extend full sick pay for more than 6 months, but that was because I was waiting for an operation which was delayed by COVID and they accepted it as extenuating circumstances. My contract was also worded slightly differently to yours.

Oh goodness op you don’t need this stress on top of your treatment. No experience or advice to offer, just best wishes and good health to you going forward

I'm sorry op, I imagine things like the shows were just the lift you needed in an incredibly tough year. Being able to do something occasionally for a few hours doesn't mean you are well enough to work

I sometimes get people snitching to me that they have seen a member of my department out and about when off sick and I just ignore them. They often dont know anything about why that person ie off sick. There are very few long term illnesses where you are literally bedbound the entire time. And many where getting out occasionally will be exactly whats needed.

I hope you can ignore the silly comments and get clarity about the pay

BiL was on full pay from the NHS for more than two years before he took early retirement with ongoing cancer treatment.

I agree with a pp deal with Occupational health rather than your line manager and let them deal with her / him .

I discovered today that you can’t ring HR have to email them,

I think I will have to wait until my appointment because if it’s surgery then that’s going to cut into more time.