OH - severe asthma

[Freya2015]

Hii Any OT

I have severe asthma esoinphilic asthma with hospital admissions I have been ill since November but really pushed myself to go to work and had an attack in December during Christmas holidays was hospitalised then but i still went back to work. Last month I had another severe asthma attack resulting in hospital admission and off sick for 2 weeks. I am still having attacks and not 100%. Been referred to OH what will happen I think I haven’t recovered properly from my asthma attacks and thats why I am not getting better ?

Can OT recommend time off work ?

Yes, OH can recommend you stay off work if you need to and will help you negotiate how you can go back on a phased return and suggest ways that your employer can make things easier for you.

I used OH last year when I finished treatment for breast cancer.They were very good, supportive and wrote a detailed report stating how my headteacher could support me and how long the phased return should last.

OH can recommend that. But they are not likely to do so. That is a matter for your own clinicians, who will provide a fit note as appropriate.

The role of OH is to provide the employer with advice as to your condition, possible options for a return to work, and, to be blunt, whether you are going to be able to return or when that is likely. They are not "against you" and they can provide helpful advice to the employer. But the decisions are the employers, not theirs - they advise only. They will probably want to contact your doctor(s) for medical information, and it is advisable to agree if they ask for this. You can ask your doctors to let you see any report they prepare before it is sent.

It is best to see OH as neutral. They aren't on your side, nor are they on the employers. They can offer you both advice. Neither of you have to take it.

OT and OH are two different things. However OH can recommend time off but can't actually sign you off, your GP will need to do this. I work in OH.

@YungDumbThrills I really need some time off because of how bad my asthma is I am just not recovering I keep having attacks. What should i say to the OH so they recommend time off

You need to discuss that with your GP and get a fit note. That’s not OH’s remit.

You need to see your GP @Freya2015
Occupational health cannot sign you off sick, that's not there role

@SauMore but can recommend time of to my employer?

After discussing what treatment you have had and seeing your medical reports from your GP if Occ Health think you need time off they can recommend it. But they cannot sign you off sick. You need your GP to do that. Without a Fit note from the GP you won't get sick pay

I'd like to ask a question OP. I understand that after some periods of illness you need time to recover. That's a given. But you seem very fixated on whether OH can recommend that you have time off. This seems rather odd - if you are not fit for work your GP will sign you off, and that is the only person who can do so. Why is it so important to you that OH recommend time off, because this seems to carry an importance to you that suggests something else is of concern?