Employee off long term sick with sciatica, how to support them

[minesabacardincoke]

I should mention this is my first managerial role. I manage a small team of NHS staff. Non-clinical.
A member of my team is currently off, suffering badly with sciatica. I know they have a history of sciatica and has been under various specialists in the past. They've also mentioned a recent MRI scan appointment in relation to the sciatica. At first they were written off by GP for 2 weeks, then it gradually increased. This is currently their 6th week off. I fully believe it's genuine, they are in a lot of pain during the day, awake all night. Taking various painkillers.
What can I do as a line manager to support or assist this valued member of the team when they come back to work? No return date fixed yet but I believe sciatica can be seriously painful so I don't want to make them feel pressurised to return before feeling ready.
Any line managers have staff with sciatica and have found any helpful adjustments or things to put in place to aid the person at work?

Check your sickness policy and EAP. Refer to OH for review, with their consent. Possibly self-refer to physio or counselling if provided or needed by your trust. OH can advise on possible reasonable adjustments.

Refer to ergonomics/ manual handling team as they can advise on things like standing desks, special chairs etc.

Check policy, you should be having 4 weekly wellbeing meetings- by phone/teams/ F2F but see what your policy says. Template letters are often part of the policy.

I have had sciatica and found/find a specialist office chair invaluable (I have a Bambach) - you also need a desk raiser, or an adjustable desk, as you end up with a higher seated position.

Of course ask the individual what support they need to return to work

Do you have a budget?

Consider their workspace. I find that almost all desks are too high for me (designed for the average man!) Luckily I work from home so could buy a desk with adjustable legs, which means I can have my seat and monitor at the right height.

Consider if they need to keep twisting (looking at a screen and files?) could anything be done to reduce this such as a stand that files can be rested on?

Consider if they have enough opportunities to move around.

All these things SHOULD be standard, but there tends to be a big difference between what should happen and what is actually in place

Have you encouraged them to apply for Access to Work?