Signed off work for another 6 weeks after partial knee replacement

envelope · Post by **envelope** » 19 Oct 2016, 17:42

Had a partial new knee replacement in August Signed off work for 6 weeks. Went back to Consultant and he has signed me off for another 6 weeks, I have a walking delivery. Manager rang me today to say Atos will ring me. What can I expect will they try to over rule Consultant and say I have to go back to work. I am 63 and have been a postie 17 years.Can you give some advise please.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 19 Oct 2016, 17:57

envelope wrote:Had a partial new knee replacement in August Signed off work for 6 weeks. Went back to Consultant and he has signed me off for another 6 weeks, I have a walking delivery. Manager rang me today to say Atos will ring me. What can I expect will they try to over rule Consultant and say I have to go back to work. I am 63 and have been a postie 17 years.Can you give some advise please.

They may do, they may not.

The best advice I can give is to be as honest as possible, don't downplay the symptoms, but also don't overplay it as well. Give them the facts and take it from there.

Also, make sure you ask to see the report before it's passed to the DOM, this is to protect your medical privacy as they are only able to divulge with your permission, and only to do with what the assessment is about.

People have mixed results with OH Assist (The new name for ATOS), but generally, when you are honest with them they seem pretty good for my members. The only one that didn't downplayed their symptoms and came back too early only to go off again.

Good luck.

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 19 Oct 2016, 18:06

Atos can't over rule a doctor but your manager can take their opinion over your doctors. All is not lost, even though bosses have been quick to say that occupation health practitioners can overrule gps there are steps you can take via the union which will at least give you some breathing room and hopefully stop 'over enthusiastic' bosses pushing you into returning to full duties before you have recovered. Someone more clued up than myself should be able to find the statement issued via the cwu which clarifies the situation and explains what the steps you can take if you don't agree with OHPs findings. I am trying to find it but can't at the moment.

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 19 Oct 2016, 18:09

This is what you want

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... ad#p715605" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rehabron · Post by **rehabron** » 19 Oct 2016, 18:20

envelope wrote:Had a partial new knee replacement in August Signed off work for 6 weeks. Went back to Consultant and he has signed me off for another 6 weeks, I have a walking delivery. Manager rang me today to say Atos will ring me. What can I expect will they try to over rule Consultant and say I have to go back to work. I am 63 and have been a postie 17 years.Can you give some advise please.

Your consultant on examining your new knee on a face to face basis has made a professional decision that knowing the nature of your work the present movement and mobility of your knee joint and your age you are not able to perform your designated duty with RM without increasing the possibility of further aggravation and damage and this is reflected in his decision of a further 6 weeks.
RM will attempt to have the consultants decision reduced by a referral to OH Assist for their recommendations and a vain attempt to entice you back to work on a rehabilitation programme or adjusted duty.
Your appointment with OH Assist will be done by a telephone interview unlike your interview with your consultant and Oh Assist will take this in to consideration and your explanation as to why you were given a further 6 weeks. If OH Assist give a difference of opinion to your consultant then you can give OH Assist with your approval the address of your consultant for them to contact for further verification. You can also request a face to face interview with OH Assist. Oh Assist will not wish to run the risk of compensation claims should they disregard your consultants advice and your recovery receives a setback.

daveyeff · Post by **daveyeff** » 19 Oct 2016, 18:23

I had mine done 5 years ago. 6 weeks for your first note, then a 6 week follow up note is completely normal and that is the procedure and atos will honour it because they know this type of operation is a 12-13 week recovery period. they gave me (and you should get the same) an 8 week rehab plan on return to work. which is:- 2 weeks indoor work 4 hours. 2 weeks indoor work then 1/4 of delivery. 2 weeks indoor work then 1/2 delivery. 2 weeks indoor then 3/4 delivery. then full delivery. but you will need to be put on a delivery with flat terrain. because believe me, you WILL NOT be able to do hills and steps any more.

Post by **Judgee** » 19 Oct 2016, 19:01

ATOS got involved when I was off with a back injury for a few weeks a few years ago. In my opinion they were pretty reasonable and fair so don't let it worry you.

Just remember at the end of the day only you really know how you are feeling and what you are capable of. Don't let anyone push you into going back before you are ready. Your managers may try this, with or without the agreement of ATOS as apparently lots of them seem to think having access to Google makes the qualified GPs!

telithowitis · Post by **telithowitis** » 19 Oct 2016, 22:16

When I was off sick in my last job my Doctor advised me my sick note meant I was unfit for work full stop and that included receiving phone calls from my work supervisor who told me "I had to keep in touch weekly" and an appointment my occupational health office made to try to talk me into going against my Docs advice, as both the telephone call and appointment amounted to work commitments, which his note said I was not fir for! And that he would write a letter of complaint if required.
I sought advice from my union and politely emailed them, my supervisor and his supervisor and the Occupational Health telling them I wanted no contact until the Doc said I was fit, and they should write to him if they wanted any information on my current position. Had no more contact and the appointment was cancelled. They never wrote to my Doc as he predicted as they knew he would charge a fee to reply!
Often employers "rules" they publish don't stand up legally or comply with employment law. Check with the union.

envelope · Post by **envelope** » 21 Oct 2016, 13:15

Thanks for your help. Manager coming to see me, OH have sent an appointment.

Post by **celtic1967** » 23 Oct 2016, 20:45

I had the partial knee op exactly a year ago. I now realise that I came back too quickly and am beginning to suffer on the other part of the knee. I think I need to check out getting my duty adjusted because with 5 more years to work I think Im in danger of wearing out the new part by walking at least 4.5 hours a day on it.
My advice is to make absolutely sure you are fit to return, the replacement (hopefully) makes you pain free but not necessarily able to get back to normal. I have no feeling in the knee and cannot kneel down on it. Some routine DIY jobs are impossible.
I wish you well in your recovery.

envelope · Post by **envelope** » 14 Nov 2016, 19:01

Thank you all for your help. Had Atos appointment and they have organised a phased return to work. Very grateful to you all helped to stopped me worrying