Referral to OH Assist

[Gwynedd]

Does a RM manager have to inform you as to why they have made a referral for you?

I gave consent in a round-a-bout way but, no one has actually told me what they are actually referring me for..whether it is for my actual illness, the stress and anxiety I am seeing a psychologist about, or whether it is another attempt to seek permission for IHR which I will NEVER agree to as long as I never need to go on the transplant waiting list!

I have never received any paperwork to give consent for my specialists to be contacted so how can ATOS even make any kind of an accurate report without the facts from my specialist team?..I have missed 2 calls from them already.

I am happy for a report to be made, however I do wish to know what the questions my line manager is asking first...

Do they (the management) have to tell me?

Cheers all

[lollollol]

Any specific questions should be agreed with yourself prior to the interview... as the business pays for OH Assist to provide a report they may well take the advice given in the report over and above what your GP/specialist may say... if the two 'sides' disagree on your prognosis they are supposedly come to some agreement between them...

[lollollol]

Any specific questions should be agreed with yourself prior to the interview... as the business pays for OH Assist to provide a report they may well take the advice given in the report over and above what your GP/specialist may say... if the two 'sides' disagree on your prognosis they are supposedly come to some agreement between them...

To clarify... if OH Assist contradict the medical advice given insist that they contact your specialist to seek a resolution... be aware though, the outcome is not always favourable...

[Gwynedd]

Any specific questions should be agreed with yourself prior to the interview... as the business pays for OH Assist to provide a report they may well take the advice given in the report over and above what your GP/specialist may say... if the two 'sides' disagree on your prognosis they are supposedly come to some agreement between them...

To clarify... if OH Assist contradict the medical advice given insist that they contact your specialist to seek a resolution... be aware though, the outcome is not always favourable...

Thank you for your response(s)...

Firstly I need to find out from my manager the questions he is asking and take it from there...

Cheers..

[rehabron]

You would have had to have given your consent for RM to refer you to OH Assist. As you have missed 2 calls from Oh Assist to instigate the standard 20 minute telephone interview then until you accept the telephone interview then you will not know what the actual referral covers and any recommendations made by OH Assist for the medical condition that you have been referred for you will be copied in to the reports that your line manager receives.
If the referral covers a condition which you are already receiving specialist advice on then OH Assist with your consent may wish to contact the specialist for their report but in practice have found that it is highly unlikely and very rare for OH Assist to go down this route.
As RM is paying for referrals to OH Assist they use their recommendations in an effort to get you back to work by the quickest possible means and if the report is unfavourable in their eyes and may result in a long term absence then RM may consider IHR but that does not men that you have to accept this if you can show that the prognosis of your condition in time you will eventually be able to perform your signed duty.

[foggilake]

hi
if you look at the ihr process, the atos doctor should discuss all options with you i.e another role before recommending ihr to rm.

[Gwynedd]

You would have had to have given your consent for RM to refer you to OH Assist. As you have missed 2 calls from Oh Assist to instigate the standard 20 minute telephone interview then until you accept the telephone interview then you will not know what the actual referral covers and any recommendations made by OH Assist for the medical condition that you have been referred for you will be copied in to the reports that your line manager receives.
If the referral covers a condition which you are already receiving specialist advice on then OH Assist with your consent may wish to contact the specialist for their report but in practice have found that it is highly unlikely and very rare for OH Assist to go down this route.
As RM is paying for referrals to OH Assist they use their recommendations in an effort to get you back to work by the quickest possible means and if the report is unfavourable in their eyes and may result in a long term absence then RM may consider IHR but that does not men that you have to accept this if you can show that the prognosis of your condition in time you will eventually be able to perform your signed duty.

I would like to explain everything in full but I am going through a 'tricky' time with work...I don't want to say too much in a forum until I know the actual outcome of my situation.

I have been employed with RM for over 20 years and my condition is life-long, it is not easy to predict and can flare up at any time. RM were well aware of my condition when they employed me on a casual basis as I declared this in writing on my very first day at work.

I was very surprised when around 6 months later they gave me a LTPT contract as I had been unwell in my casual employment on 2 occasions for at least a week to ten days each absence. I have been plagued with ATOS and threats of IHR ever since.

I would have completely understood and actually have more respect for the company if they had at that point in time just told me that under the circumstances it was evident that I would be unable to perform the duties required and they would be unable to employ me on a long term basis...I would have agreed with them and thanked them for giving me a chance.

I was devastated when I faced my first threat of IHR at 17 years of age. I thought RM understood my illness and understood that I would need time off to be treated in hospital and at home...

I know

Ps. I didn't ignore the calls!...and although I have had many referrals to OH over the years I normally know beforehand the reasons for them. I usually give permission for reports but not for the IHR question! This time I know nothing as to what the referral refers to or questions/issues/concerns being raised/asked...I feel very uncomfortable not knowing what questions I will be asked. The last over-the-phone consultation took nearly 1.5 hours and covered every possible illness and addiction and everything else you could be off work with there is...

[lollollol]

From my experience when I've been referred to ATOS my DIM informs me of the date and time the interview will take place (within a one hour time slot)... I've had referrals done in the past while sitting in the DIM's office and the time/date is generated there and then... during this process we also agree the 3 questions to be asked...

I'm sure you're aware as you've worked for RM for a while that the 3 stage attendance procedure is the preferable route for the business if they want you out... no cost attached...

[DirtyHarry]

OH assist can only do so much.
Their remit is just to get ill people back into work before they are fully fit. Makes little sense that, if you ask me.
Patient confidentiality, I presume that, even in this largely dishonest day and age, it still counts for something?
If so, OH assist can do whatever the hell they like, but you follow your doctor's orders first and foremost.
Look at the heading on a letter from OH assist.
It says, quite clearly and distinctly, 'MAKING YOUR BUSINESS HEALTHIER.' Or words to that effect.
No reference whatsoever to your health and well being.
Saving money, as per usual, is at the heart of one of the most bizarre health policies of any company I've ever worked for.