To want to work for cash to pay for treatment

[gopherit]

AIBU to think that if the nhs can't give you the treatment you need and you're expected to self fund (in my case, 2 different types of physio and long-term counselling) then you should be able to work additional hours tax free to be able to fund it? As it is, if I work extra, my universal credit will reduce and it still won't cover it. To do it properly, long term private physio and counselling is already setting me back around £300-400 month which I can't sustain.

I am so fed up. When I chose a vocational career to qualify in, it's because you could survive without luxuries if that's what you chose. I'm not someone who needs or wants 5 long holidays abroad every year! I'm happy to shop cheaply and forego expensive treats, to do something I love and that's good for society (3rd sector). That was the choice I was happy to make when choosing my area of study/speciality. BUT, there was a half decent healthcare and benefits system at the time, which now there isn't. I'd like to work extra to pay for my treatment, but I can't.

Would it enable a society that could more easily fund treatment, rather than struggle to stay in work without?

Apols if I post and run, will be back this evening!

@gopherit some therapists do have spaces for low income. My therapist did offer some session at low cost so it might be worth looking into that. I’m happy to share his details with you. (He offers both in person and online sessions)

@Shrinkhole oh indeed - nothing wrong at all. Was just noting that it is not only the NHS who won't fund unlimited treatment.

Can you link to evidence?

It's not easy, or for general treatment, but from here:

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim32870

In very unusual circumstances it may be possible to argue that the personal benefit of the medical expenses was merely incidental to the business purpose, see EIM31664. In these cases a deduction can be given. In Prince v Mapp (46TC169), Pennycuick J gives an example of the circumstances in which a deduction may be given:

“Someone…incurs some injury which is trivial in itself and in respect of which he would never otherwise expend money on medical care but which happens to be of vital importance for the purpose of that particular trade or profession.”

You're rolling your eyes that your third sector workplace EAP won't provide long term therapy for a complicated issue? How on earth are they supposed to fund that?

I haven't even attempted to use the NHS since I was 19 (that's almost 20 years). I don't know anyone able to access anything on it. When you die, they'll give you some morphine, but that's about it.

The fact is, you can't afford it. Get another job or move careers. I understand you feel proud working in the charity sector but you need to take care of yourself first.

In my area you can only get very short bursts of CBT with long waits between which isn’t going to be the right treatment for many mental health situations but particular if the OP has experienced some sort of complex trauma.

Physio you can get but there is currently an 12month waiting list… which if it’s preventing you from doing your job or caring for yourself or your family it might mean you absolutely needed to do before that.

There are lots of fairly basic and very effective services that are very limited or not available on the NHS. Eg talking therapy. In this area, you can get 12 weeks of talking therapy and then you have to wait 3 months before you can apply again. Once you apply, there is a long wait. 12 sessions didn’t even touch the sides for me (domestic abuse, severe anxiety, chronic illness). I’ve been in therapy on and off for about 5
years, most of which I have had to pay for privately. It’s been incredibly helpful.

The NHS does not provide any support for my chronic illness. I’m too ill to work. I think it is very poor.

Agreed. In fact I was hoping for a particular therapy that is available on nhs for my condition, only they assessed it would actually be re-traumatising for me and therefore wouldn't refer. It is also a postcode lottery.

The irony in my situation is a lot of my trauma is caused by the failure of services! And the fact that I have multiple conditions that in isolation are manageable, yet no support or recognition that I am struggling to manage them all AND work. This was painfully clear in my PIP application. The combined effect didn't seem to factor at all!

Perhaps providing it to the very few people who qualify for it for a very limited amount of time?!

I have quoted your post where you say ‘none of these provide any type of therapy’. Now you admit that they do. I was correcting your misinformation.

Just for info, the counsellor you speak of wasn’t referring to none course based therapy. There’s a lot more to it and that’s a misleading statement

Completely agree.

My need for long term therapy is very specific, and a lot to do with not having to keep repeating a complex history to a different person each time I have a flare up, or am triggered by new events and need support from someone who already knows and understands the history and context. It's evident from my history that therapy works for me, so why I cannot get some kind of support with it, given it has enabled me to keep working makes absolutely no sense to me. A lot of my physio, which includes work on 2 major injuries, has been exacerbated by the tension through multiple major loss, bereavement and extreme trauma. I've had to re-work my entire body and it takes time.

Because I have invested and worked hard in therapy in the past, and I respond well to it, I am a good candidate for it long term. The NHS assessment team said as much. But it's not on offer. Without the support going forwards I am more likely to relapse and would then likely need to reduce hours. Yet all the doors are closed until I relapse so badly I cannot function. It's a nuts system. I am also told (by occ health) to limit work activities to those with low stress requirements, so actually my potential to earn more per hr is limited, regardless of sector.

To have effective treatment (for me) labelled a "luxury" after what I've been through, is completely insulting tbh and enrages me. That said, I am well aware others are in worse states who are rightly prioritised for whatever crumbs are actually available, but it doesn't make it right or fair for me. Neither does it feel fair to have to continually fight for change when I've faught for so much already, and not just for myself as it happens!

I expect this will get jumped all over by those who just don't want to see or hear it, but it's cathartic to let it all out at least!

And if someone dares to tell me I need to work on my resiliance or that I need to make better life choices, I'm not sure I will be held responsible for my language!