Sickness Record for NHS Job

[Pandora97]

I've been offered a band 5 role in the NHS (recently qualified) and they've said it's going to take a long time to clear me due to my sickness record as a student. I had 3 months off in my 3rd year due to anxiety/depression (had some horrible things going on in my personal life) and have had a few other days across the whole 3 years for being physically sick and that kind of thing. I went back and finished the course absolutely fine, I didn't have any time off sick after that block, I'm on anti-depressants that are working well.

I'm now really worried they're going to withdraw the offer. Can they do that? I've worked so hard for this and the thought of losing it is making me really upset. :(

Forgot to say it was occupational health at the hospital I was training in that specifically advised my GP that I should be signed off sick. I didn't want to be and tried to argue against it but the nurse there said in her opinion I needed to be. Surely they can't withdraw a job offer when it was occupational health who told me to go off sick in the first place!

I would ring the occupational health department up at the new hospital and ask what they mean. I Wouldn't have thought it would pose a problem as they wouldn't have offered you the job in the first place.
They are understanding of personal problems etc. Try not to worry.

Yeah sorry I just had a bit of a panic as HR sounded quite sharp with me on the phone about it. I've got an appointment with Occupational Health next week now so will just wait and see what they say. Thanks!

I'd want to know what they meant. It's strange offering you the job and then saying this. You'd think they'd just take longer to make the offer.

Surely this is discrimination?

unlikely that they will withdraw the offer but they have to go to occ health to be certain. perhaps occ health are booked up/on leave which delays things somehwat

And yes they can if they wish withdraw the offer. Good luck.

Do you feel capable of doing the job you are applying for?

Vivienne it was a conditional offer based on passing criminal record checks, references and a health check. I've already filled out a form about my health background a month ago but there were only about 2 questions on it which I was surprised about as the one I had to fill in for my uni course practically wanted my entire medical history. They wanted to know dates of every hospital appt I've ever had and the reason, if I've ever had counselling, any operations, if I have eczema etc. It was very detailed.

Noah yes I do feel capable of doing it. When I went back after I'd been off, I felt fine and in fact everyone said I was performing a lot better so I think I definitely needed the time out. It was just the way HR said it was going to take a very long time that worried me but then I got an email from Occupational Health the next day so she must have chased them up!