Has anyone had any appointments with Occupational Health regarding a return to work following hip surgery? My place of employment are keen to refer me to a local service, mostly to reassure themselves that I really am fit (and to cover their backs of course). I find I am a little bit sceptical; after all the OH doctor is paid by my employers who of course want employees to return as soon as possible, so not sure whether to do this or not. What do you think?
Be good idea coz they suggest health and safety things to be put in place to protect you .. Wish my work sent me. I went back to being a nurse 6 months after .. Bang .. Straight in to 12 HR shifts that near killed me.. I ended up off again for a bit and then decided myself to go back half days for a few months... I'm ok now but would have liked OH input but I work in a private sector and their main office is in England , I'm in Scotland
Thanks for replying Wendy. Wow, 12 hour shifts, hard anyway, let alone when you are recuperating. Hope you are fully fit now.
Jean
Hi jean
I'm employed by social services who do require you have occupational health assessment to cover your safe return to work, I'm just back after 14 weeks post op. I saw occy health at 8 weeks who felt then I was fit to go back to work me entering their office on one crutch....after 13 weeks. I was a bit sceptical so waited until my consultant suggested I go back to work.
When I returned to work a phased return has been arranged over four weeks then at the end of that another review to see how I'm feeling. I was told if I don't feel able to return to my duties after this time another visit to occupational health would be arranged and further decisions would be has. I think Jean depending on who you work for and if they have a back to work policy after long term sickness in place you should be ok, occupational health is just another tool to protect you and them being your employer, I hope this makes sense and is helpful good luck with everything
Regards Vicki 😀
Thanks Victoria,
that makes perfect sense, and has been helpful. I am meeting my manager and someone from HR tomorrow, so will ask if they will refer me. It hasn't been a requirement, but was offered. They have been pretty reasonable, really.
I am quite sure that my firm will require that so thanks for the Heads Up on this issue...Ian.
Hi Jean, I was referred to OH before my opp and will see them again 4 weeks post opp. I found them to be great, really supportive (so far!). They helped me because, in my opinion, my boss didn't really 'get it'. Now if I get hassle from work I can wave the OH advice at them. Make sure you get a copy of their recommendations, if work give you any hassle explain that you're entitled under the Data Protection Act (Subject Access Request), (assuming you're in the UK)).
Best of luck,
Jennife, UK
I had OH input, working in Quango. Very useful. Phased return, reorganisation of work space and customised chair.
Thanks Jennie, yes I am in the UK.
One of my union reps said much the same thing, that advice from OH could help if I needed a new chair or other equipment, etc. However, the HR manager said today he would fund a chair if I needed it as he would rather spend some money and make sure I was in work!
It seems likely that the OH doctor will phone me and do a telephone consultation. But I will be sure to ask for a copy of the report.
Thanks for that. It seems most people on here have had a positive experience of occupational health. So I am hopeful, especially as the managers where I work are being supportive, though that of course can change.