My first sick note expires this week. Time for a GP visit, and an OH (occupational health) assessment. My GP is situated just out of reach of crutch hobbling, but too close for a taxi (in my opinion anyway). The receptionist said it would be fine to renew my sick line through a phone appointment. Relying on this advice I duly made, and then had, the appointment. Sods law. The GP said no - she couldn't do the sick line without seeing me. This meant missing my deadline for work, (ie, having a few days off without a sick line) and having to coordinate an available appointment with my very kind and patient neighbours who would provide the transport. Two phone calls and several texts later we settled for Friday 6th March.
In the meantime, I had to get myself to the OH surgery this morning, handily located out at Liberton. The appointment letter comes with bus information - which is a good thing. But of course, I can't get to the bus stop yet never mind manage two buses. Luckily Handicabs was available - so £8 for the transport. It was bitterly cold when we arrived at the surgery. I followed the signs for the disabled entrance and headed up the ramp on my crutches. It started to rain. The door was locked. I rang the bell. Nothing. Rang again and again. Fingers frozen and turning blue at the tips. Eventually the door was opened and I was ushered in. I understand the door has to be locked for security reasons, and the staff were extremely apologetic. But its just another example of what people with mobility problems have to put up with.
I spoke with the OH doctor for around half an hour. We concluded that I was not fit to return to work - and would see him again in a couple of months time. Unfortunately he can not sign my sick line - thus another visit to another health professional required (see above). My GP does not get a copy of his letter to my employer unless I make one available. And yet its my GP who is signing me off. There's a method in all this madness - mainly independent specialist advice for myself and my employer - but it makes for a complicated life.
I am now in the care of one GP practice, one OH doctor, two physiotherapists (a junior and a senior), one psychologist, one consultant at the RIE and one consultant at St Johns in Livingstone. Oh - and the community pharmacist and the pharmacy delivery boy. In theory I have an occupational therapist although they have never made contact. I have three transport contacts: Lothian Patient Transport, Handicabs and the local minicab company. I also have a lawyer (in relation to a potential compensation claim), a boss and an HR contact at my work. It is my job to coordinate the information and appointments between all of these professionals and colleagues. I spend half my life on my mobile phone, the other half at appointments - its really not that dissimilar to being at work....
In the meantime, I had to get myself to the OH surgery this morning, handily located out at Liberton. The appointment letter comes with bus information - which is a good thing. But of course, I can't get to the bus stop yet never mind manage two buses. Luckily Handicabs was available - so £8 for the transport. It was bitterly cold when we arrived at the surgery. I followed the signs for the disabled entrance and headed up the ramp on my crutches. It started to rain. The door was locked. I rang the bell. Nothing. Rang again and again. Fingers frozen and turning blue at the tips. Eventually the door was opened and I was ushered in. I understand the door has to be locked for security reasons, and the staff were extremely apologetic. But its just another example of what people with mobility problems have to put up with.
I spoke with the OH doctor for around half an hour. We concluded that I was not fit to return to work - and would see him again in a couple of months time. Unfortunately he can not sign my sick line - thus another visit to another health professional required (see above). My GP does not get a copy of his letter to my employer unless I make one available. And yet its my GP who is signing me off. There's a method in all this madness - mainly independent specialist advice for myself and my employer - but it makes for a complicated life.
I am now in the care of one GP practice, one OH doctor, two physiotherapists (a junior and a senior), one psychologist, one consultant at the RIE and one consultant at St Johns in Livingstone. Oh - and the community pharmacist and the pharmacy delivery boy. In theory I have an occupational therapist although they have never made contact. I have three transport contacts: Lothian Patient Transport, Handicabs and the local minicab company. I also have a lawyer (in relation to a potential compensation claim), a boss and an HR contact at my work. It is my job to coordinate the information and appointments between all of these professionals and colleagues. I spend half my life on my mobile phone, the other half at appointments - its really not that dissimilar to being at work....
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