To be surprised how easy it is to get signed off work?

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 2021-12-02T12:22:19+00:00

I'm currently legitimately signed off work. I work for the NHS in the community, traveling between patients homes. I'm an essential car user, my job can't be done from home/ the office, though even if it could I'd struggle reading a computer screen all day. I currently can't drive due vertigo which is also causing me to walk like I'm drunk, feel sick and struggle to read. It's also wiping me out something chronic. I went to the GP, they diagnosed me, told me I wasn't allowed to drive and asked what I did for a living and gave me a 2 week sick note without me asking. I'm now on sick note number 5. Each time I email the GP, explain my symptoms remain and ask for another week. No one calls me, or discusses it with me, just posts me out a sick note. I'm the sort of person that just feels guilty for being really legitimately unwell, so I'm glad it's a stress free process but I'm shocked! I've never been signed off before so wasn't sure what to expect.

SickAndTiredAgain · 02/12/2021 12:29

Yes I had similar. I was signed off with sickness for two months when pregnant with DD and they just sent another note any time I rang up.
This pregnancy I can wfh, so haven’t needed to be signed off, but every time I ring for more anti sickness medication, they half insist that I get signed off and I have to insist I’m fine to work at home, which I am.

Confusedandworried321 · 02/12/2021 12:44

Absolutely. I went to the GP with rib pain when pregnant, as my very supportive employer suggested asking for reduced hours. Straight away they offered to just sign me off (I didn't and asked for a note for reduced hours).

I have also been to the GP for anxiety, seeking treatment. I was asked immediately and frankly "do you want to be signed off work".

Original poster

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 02/12/2021 12:47

@Confusedandworried321

Absolutely. I went to the GP with rib pain when pregnant, as my very supportive employer suggested asking for reduced hours. Straight away they offered to just sign me off (I didn't and asked for a note for reduced hours).

I have also been to the GP for anxiety, seeking treatment. I was asked immediately and frankly "do you want to be signed off work".

If you get reduced hours via your GP do you get full pay?

I ask, because I can probably do some of my mandatory training and office based paperwork each day without causing issues, I could do some of the admin stuff for my boss too which would be more useful to them than me doing nothing.

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Mrscaptainraymondholt · 02/12/2021 13:43

@HaaaaaveyoumetTed have you had an occupational health referral yet? In my trust, OH can recommend reduced hours/alternative duties/phased return, the latter of which can be over a longer period but at full pay. You should ask for a managers referral or self refer to them asap

Original poster

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 02/12/2021 14:06

[quote Mrscaptainraymondholt]@HaaaaaveyoumetTed have you had an occupational health referral yet? In my trust, OH can recommend reduced hours/alternative duties/phased return, the latter of which can be over a longer period but at full pay. You should ask for a managers referral or self refer to them asap[/quote]
I will thanks. It's only this week I could consider any sort of return at all.

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Oblomov21 · 02/12/2021 14:15

5 sick notes? Off for 10 weeks? Is this medical condition going to worsen/stay sane/get better? Are you going To be off for another 10 weeks? what are you doing to prevent this?

Presumably your employer will soon contact occupational health with a view to modifications for getting you back to work?

Original poster

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 02/12/2021 14:50

@Oblomov21

5 sick notes? Off for 10 weeks? Is this medical condition going to worsen/stay sane/get better? Are you going To be off for another 10 weeks? what are you doing to prevent this?

Presumably your employer will soon contact occupational health with a view to modifications for getting you back to work?

No. 1 sick not for 2 weeks, then 4 for 1 week. This is the start of week 6. It should get better in 6-12 weeks on average.

"What am I doing to prevent this?"

I'm not sure what you mean? I'm following the advice of my Dr, which is to rest basically. There's no treatment - I do a physio type move daily as advised (more won't help).

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TooWicked · 02/12/2021 14:54

I’m not at all surprised how easy it is to get signed off sick from work since someone claiming to be a GP on a thread last year basically said she signs off anyone that asks to be signed off.

Original poster

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 02/12/2021 14:56

@TooWicked

I’m not at all surprised how easy it is to get signed off sick from work since someone claiming to be a GP on a thread last year basically said she signs off anyone that asks to be signed off.

Seriously?

I expected it to almost be an interrogation.

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RoomOfRequirement · 02/12/2021 14:59

Luckily a lot of GPs seem to understand that work causes and exacerbates many illnesses, especially stress and anxiety. They know that taking time off to rest will do better than many medicines, so I'm really glad it's not an interrogation.

Feel better OP.

SueSaid · 02/12/2021 15:01

' not sure what you mean? I'm following the advice of my Dr, which is to rest basically'

Have they not checked your bloods to rule anything else out, or suggested anti emetics? Vertigo is unpleasant but meds like stemetil can help. I too think it is shocking how they can dish out sick notes without actually examining people or doing the most basic of tests. Has anyone checked your BP or blood sugar for example?

Original poster

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 02/12/2021 15:13

@JaniieJones

' not sure what you mean? I'm following the advice of my Dr, which is to rest basically'

Have they not checked your bloods to rule anything else out, or suggested anti emetics? Vertigo is unpleasant but meds like stemetil can help. I too think it is shocking how they can dish out sick notes without actually examining people or doing the most basic of tests. Has anyone checked your BP or blood sugar for example?

Yes, all done at initial consultation. Along with ruling out a stroke, severe migraine and other neuro issues.

Feeling sick is the least of my symptoms, it's the room spinning when I move that's the big issue. It really wears me out as well. No medication because I'm breastfeeding and it's not advised (I checked with breastfeeding network). I'm hoping I'll be back to work in the next week.

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yourestandingonmyneck · 02/12/2021 15:19

I've often wondered about this.

I've worked with people who loved getting signed off sick. Workplace would be getting totally sick of them and they would get very defensive and say "but I've been signed off!"

One person in particular had nothing wrong him. He was a known hypochondriac. He seemed to just hassle his GP constantly and wear them down. He was doing his career absolutely no favours and he knew it but he seemed to think because the GP agreed to sign him off, he had to stay off.

It's obviously different for people like yourself, OP, who are genuinely unable to work just now, but it is a bit disheartening to know that some people can abuse the system in this way.

FlorenceNightshade · 02/12/2021 15:19

You could ask for amended duties on your fit note @HaaaaaveyoumetTed. So you could ask for office based tasks and an altered shut pattern.
I'm NHS and when I had an injury I got to condense my hours and do amended duties as per my sick line. Basically your line manager isn't able to argue with what your gp says you can and can't do. Have you been referred to OHSAS?

CharlotteRose90 · 02/12/2021 15:20

Think it depends on your gp. I have constant vertigo for 2 years now and I’ve not been signed off once for it. I still work full time and drive with it. You need the correct medication for it or as your breastfeeding something else.

SueSaid · 02/12/2021 15:25

'Feeling sick is the least of my symptoms, it's the room spinning when I move that's the big issue.'

Yes but it helps with this not just nausea. If it goes on any longer you need referring to ent, you can't just told to 'rest' for weeks or months with vertigo it can be a chronic condition. I also don't know anyone who doesn't drive when they have flare ups, as you say it is the standing and walking that is the problem.

Bavarois · 02/12/2021 15:33

@JaniieJones

'Feeling sick is the least of my symptoms, it's the room spinning when I move that's the big issue.'

Yes but it helps with this not just nausea. If it goes on any longer you need referring to ent, you can't just told to 'rest' for weeks or months with vertigo it can be a chronic condition. I also don't know anyone who doesn't drive when they have flare ups, as you say it is the standing and walking that is the problem.

OP's medical treatment is between her and her doctor, this isn't appropriate, she didn't ask for opinions. I also recognise your username and I'm fairly sure you're not a HCP.

OP, I actually think it varies surgery to surgery. I was signed off last year for two weeks initially, then tried to speak to a GP for review. Instead the receptionist encouraged me just to request another line. I did this a few times as was refused an appointment until all of a sudden my sick note was refused with no medical consultation and I was forced back to work. I should have complained but ironically I was feeling too unwell.

Original poster

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 02/12/2021 15:53

@CharlotteRose90

Think it depends on your gp. I have constant vertigo for 2 years now and I’ve not been signed off once for it. I still work full time and drive with it. You need the correct medication for it or as your breastfeeding something else.

How can you drive? I can't turn corners! I can't be a passenger in a car without feeling like I'm on waltzers! If I were to drive I'd be so unsafe. There is no medication I can take, but I think it depends on the type of vertigo you have as to what the treatment is.

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Original poster

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 02/12/2021 15:55

@JaniieJones

'Feeling sick is the least of my symptoms, it's the room spinning when I move that's the big issue.'

Yes but it helps with this not just nausea. If it goes on any longer you need referring to ent, you can't just told to 'rest' for weeks or months with vertigo it can be a chronic condition. I also don't know anyone who doesn't drive when they have flare ups, as you say it is the standing and walking that is the problem.

See comment above.

But how to get rid of my vertigo wasn't the point of my OP.

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NellieBertram · 02/12/2021 15:58

Why would the GP interrogate you?

They’re not paid by employers, their only concern is the patient’s health. Beyond that they don’t care if you go to work or not.

They look after your health, they don’t try to get people back into work. That’s for employers’ OH or HR departments.

MrsSquirrel · 02/12/2021 16:05

I had similar. Once I was diagnosed, the GP gave me lots of advice, then asked if I work and if I wanted a sick note. Seemed completely routine.

I assume it would have been different if I had not been given a diagnosis.

Saz12 · 02/12/2021 16:14

GP is there to look after the patients health. Of course they should sign you off if you need it. I hope I never need to be signed off sick of course!

Gearedtoyou · 02/12/2021 16:18

It's shockingly easy. I've just had my first fit note in a 35 year working life. I couldn't get a doctor's appointment so I emailed in asked for one . I'm signed off for 3 weeks without ever talking to a doctor or being offered any help with my problem.

SirChenjins · 02/12/2021 16:24

I imagine that - given we’re in the a pandemic- GPs are probably not interested in interrogations and are happy to trust the patient. I’m surprised your Occ Health Dept hasn’t been in touch yet though. Our Board’s OH dept is straight onto long term sickness to support you back into work with a range of measures.

Sceptre86 · 02/12/2021 16:35

Depends on the gp as my experience is different. I had a bleed in my first pregnancy for which I had to be kept in hospital. I was told to ask my Gp for a sick note as the nature of my job meant I am on my feet all day and walking back and forth and bending is just part and parcel of the job which they felt didn't help. I was told to self certify for 3 days and then see how I felt. My work do not recognise self certification and after 3 days off I would have been given a disciplinary. I spoke to another Gp explained and was given a sick note for 2 weeks, after which I felt better and went back to work till my mat leave started. My current Gp gave me a sick note without asking when I spoke to them with regards to my vertigo in my most current pregnancy. They signed me off for 4 weeks till my maternity leave started.