Back Issue

[Coatsy79]

Hi guys, have a problem, need some advice

I'm a delivery postman in a rural-ish area, have a minor history with back trouble

Bit of background as to my "situation"

Had a bout of back pain in mid April, had 4 days off, and returned to work as I felt "obliged" to

(I must explain I was put on a first stage warning late last year, due in part to a bout of Swine flu, during the epidemic that was going about last year!)

Now this first absence put me closer to my "2 absence's within 6 months period" that gets me on a 2nd stage warning, not to worry I thought, my back pain seemed to be subsiding from the 4 days off I had

I was back at work for approx 1 week before I started getting pain again, went back on my strong painkillers to try and see me through to a hoilday I had coming as I had hoped I would be ok again after the week off, and was aware a further absence would trigger a 2nd stage warning!

But to no avail, I was sorting in my round and my back began "locking" up, I was in agony and the boss told me if I couldn't do my round I was to go home till I was better, to which my reply was "fine but I won't be back till I'm fully better"

I went to visit a Chiropractor later that day off my own back with my own money, that was 8 weeks ago now, it's costing a fortune £31+ a session and I think i've had 8 or more now!!

Docs have signed me off on 2 week periods over this time and have now arranged for physiotherapy which happens on Tuesday

Doc, and Chiropractor have said the problem is due to work, in and out of vans and heavy lifting etc as many posties do (I may add i've NEVER HAD MANUAL HANDLING TRAINING)

Had a phonecall, finally!!!! (been waiting 6 weeks) from ATOS and they have agreed a back to work program, to which I told them I was happy, as long as my doctor is happy, whom I will see after Tuesday and my physio appointment. All this done over the phone, I have seen no-one from ATOS

Then have received a phonecall from my Manager, who told me to come in and see him next week to discuss the back to work program and decide whats best as as far as he's concerned I'm back to work a week Monday, to which I replied, "Only of my Doctor is happy for me to return to work"

His reply, He has to go by what ATOS have told him and NOT my Doctor, to which my reply was "They haven't seen me and my doctor has! I think my doctor knows better than some doctor etc on the end of a phone" He said I would "fail my rehabilitation programme" and he'd be forced to tell ATOS such

I currently don't know what to do, i'm still in dis-comfort, and have aggrevated the problem on more than a few occasions over the past 8 weeks

Although I am a better than I was when I went off sick, i'm by no means near "better" I have no idea what to do as the last thing I want is to return to work and aggrevate the problem

Also I can't afford many more Chiropractor sessions and work have offered no help or support in helping me get better to return

[oldrangersW12]

At the end of the day, your doctor has the final say as to wether you are fit for work or not.

Was it an ATOS doctor you spoke to or one of their nurses/occupational advisors? they don't hold much clout to be honest.

Request a face to face with an ATOS doctor so they can examine you, and you can physically show them how bad your back is.

[pokos27]

never accept an atos phone call, you need to see their physicians face to face, you sound as though you need some rest.
I have had 2 atos face to face appointments and they have not go against what the Dr recommended at all, and it often is in the employees favour.
loads of people on rural duties have this problem caused by getting in and out of vans.
I hope you find a solution

[Coatsy79]

I've been told, if I "fail" the return to work programme I will get a face to face with ATOS

I have no idea if the person was a Doctor or anything

Seems to me RM take the word of someone on the end of a phone over a GP who's actually seen me, numerous times

Feeling a bit pissed off, spent near £400 of my own money on a Chiropractor and all I get from RM is "when you coming back"

Seems we're expected to know exactly when we will be better like we can see into the future

I'm sure it'll be resolved but feel we get very little help for a problem that is largely caused by "the job"

[fishtank]

INPUTS
· Employee report of ill health condition
· Absence record
· Individual risk assessment in the job situation based on consultation with the employee
· Accident report
· Pay details
· EHS assessment of suitability for current duties and advice on capabilities with recommendation for modifications to duties for a specified period.
· Advice to EHS from external doctor (employee's G.P or specialist ) as appropriate at each stage of the process.
· Employee aspirations and any particular skills which may have a bearing on the design of a rehabilitation programme which best matches the individuals needs.

http://www.cwu.org/rehabilitation.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[chelseachris]

About 6 years ago i was off with a condition called cervical spondylosis went to my local physio at £25 per half hour and Royal Mail paid for 10 sessions was off for 6 weeks maybe worth asking for some help on the financial side.

[Judgee]

When I was off with a bad back atos arranged for the specialist and RM paid for all the treatments?

Other problems aside perhaps you could try and get reimbursement for your sessions? Just a thought!