Hi,
I had a period of absence last year for a month which whilst I received sick pay, I didn't have a back to work form done thinking about it or have occupational health involved which I'm guessing now is a silly thing to have gone without.
I have an employer who operates in a big city, hospital on the doorstep (and the role is largely work from home so it feels a little maybe out of sight problems forgot) - more possible avenues for medical help outside work hours then someone who is a country bumpkin, our gp surgery doesn't even have an e-consult system, never mind operate outside the traditional 9-5 Mon to Fri.
I usually try and book annual leave to cover appointments but sometimes this is just not available to be authorised.
We're allowed 2 hours for appointments but it can be a round trip time of 1.5 hours to reach the nearest hospital.
Lately there has been an increase of daft things being asked - such as exact time of how long an appointment will take, the need to ask permission to take a medical call whilst on duty. I just don't know how they can see this as acceptable and it feels like being forced to take a sick day which will surely eventually have a knock on effect.