sick leave from mat leave

[vanceypants]

hi

i work for the nhs and am coming to the end of my maternity leave. I haven't been well since I had my baby and my GP has already told me that he is happy to sign me off for a while. I have a months annual leave at the end of my maternity leave. Should I cancel this and let the doctor issue me a sick line? I have never had a long term period of sickness but still feel an element of quilt over taking sick leave. I am also looking to transfer to another job within the nhs and not sure if you can go from sick leave to another job, even if it is internal. Could anyone help?

check your policy - ours doesn't encourage sick leave after mat leave (am nhs too). i would keep annual leave and then seek gp review during that time and inform employer you are swapping to sick leave. if your illness will affect your job then i would seek a self-referral to your och health nurse and get their support in getting the right job for you. its likely your employer will seek a referral anyway - i know i would with those i manage given your scenario.

thanks for replying, will wait and see what GP says at later date. Do you know if you can apply for an internal transfer when you are on sick leave.

I was off on sick leave after mat leave (bereavement) and everything geared toward getting you back to work. this involves seeing the Occupation Health nurse as twinklytoes says. I took my accrued annual leave after I returned. However my GP was reluctant to put stress on medical certificate as apparently there is a stigma attached if you do go for other jobs.

i would think you can, although I've only known people transfer if their job is affected by their health and they are at risk of health deteriorating further. in these circumstances occ health have provided a risk assessment usually completed with line manager and employee.

thanks guys.. hopefully it will all sort itself out