Hi, I'm looking for some advice on IHR. I've worked for my employer for 6 and a half years. In November I was involved in a motorbike accident that wasn't my fault. At the time of the accident I discolated my shoulder,snapped 3 of my rotator cuffs from the bone,moved my bicep and bicep tendon and was told later by the surgeon that I also damaged a bunch of tendons in my shoulder. Ive been off work since the accident,as I lost the use of my shoulder and could only lift my arm about 2 inches from hanging down at my side. Over the months I've been going through physio an MRI then finally surgery. After the operation the surgeon told me,with the amount of damage done to my shoulder I should never have been left so long to get operated on. And because of this my rotator cuffs had shriveled up so much he couldn't reconect them the normal way,he had to try a fairly new procedure and attach the rotator cuffs to the bone with cadaver skin. To cut a long storey short,the operation was 7 weeks ago,had my arm imobilised,now started physio again,still can't use or move my arm.Been told I might not get it back. I asked the surgeon if he thought I'd be able to go back to my job again at some point,to which he said he thinks I'll struggle,and didn't seem to have much hope at all. My work offered me IHR, a years wage, which I said no to.Then at the next meeting I had with my boss,he was going through the options for me and mentioned the IHR again,but this time it was three quarters of a year wages, and OH was going to phone me to assess my condition. I don't know what to do with this,When I asked the surgeon for his opinion about going back to work,it wasn't a yes I will be able to but there again it wasn't a no. When HO called, I answered all there questions without lying about anything but at the same time, I didn't volinteer any information about the details of my injury or operation,as far as they're concerned,accident,operation,heal back to work. So they advised my work that I'm not in the postion for IHR and I'll be back at some point. My question are, with me trying to hang on to my job and not declaring everything, if in 6 weeks or whatever down the line it turns out I'm not getting my arm back and I can't work will I be offered a IHR payment again? will the amount be the same? My employer gives it's employees 6 months full pay then 6 months half pay when on the sick, I'm at the end of the full pay, If I get to a point where I've only got a month or so left of half pay will any offers made by them be less, cause they've only got a month or so left to pay me before they've no more wages obligation? Should I tell the work/HO everything about my injury and risk lossing my job just now,even when the surgeon didn't give me a definate answer. I had more questions but I've wrote so much I can't remember what they where other than, If my arm gets better but not great and my employer offers me some other position in the company,will it be in the same office I'm in, or can they offer me a position anywhere and if doesn't suit for whatever reason just fire me. Any advice on this or anything I might have missed reguarding IHR would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Fangy.

My 28 year old daughter suffers from severe depression She is under the doctor and mental health team and is making some progress. She has a agreement with Regal Credit to clear a NAT WEST overdraft from when she was at Uni but actually thought she was repaying another debt she has to BMI Healthcare. However she received a couple of letters from a company called Credit Style in February and as she is not really up to dealing with this I called them about it and they asked that she send a letter giving me permission to deal with this which we did. We went on holiday straight after and came back to a CCJ CLAIM FORM with £500+ interest added on. I acknowledged the form and am now about to defend it. Daughter has signed a letter giving me permission to deal with it which I will send with the form. Now question is best way to defend it. I believe that banks etc are supposed to keep debts to Mental Health patients in house so she ideally would like the debt returned to them so she can negotiate directly with them.

I want tips for getting jobs, rather than just not being sanctioned. Th WP Advisors are not much help, more of a hindrance. Mistake: this should have gone in the Employment Forum. Bad night's sleep problems.

I will start this off by explaining that I have bipolar disorder, anxiety and OCD, all of which I receive medication and treatment for. I also have a history of self-harm. I started working for a supermarket a year and a half ago, and in my application i stated that I believed to suffer from a disability, my condition being mental health issues. I was also upfront about this in my face-to-face interview. I started off working in the clothing department of the store and my manager was great with me, understanding of my condition and knew i saw a psychiatrist and attended group therapy. I have my ups and downs in work, but last December I was overwhelmed with stress and anxiety and cut my arm during my lunch break. One of my colleagues bumped into me after I done it and noticed the blood from my arm and I was sent to the hospital to get stitches. The 'People Manager' of the store recommended I take a few days off after the incident. In March, me and two others were moved to other departments due to cut backs and poor sales. I was moved to the bakery department and have struggled mentally since then. The job itself isn't hard at all, it's the amount of work that stresses me. There are 5 in on the dayshift, but only me on the back shift. There used to be two on the back shift, but they cut it down to save money, so I am doing work for two people. I always feel harassed into doing over time and during the summer I was on my own (as usual) on a busy Saturday and really struggled. One of the managers saw me and was concerned about me and I confided in her that I was really stressed and because I self-harm, it was doubly worse working unsupervised in an environment with knives etc. The manager sent me home and I was asked to see an occupational therapist a week later. The occupational therapist told me that it was unacceptable that I had brandished a knife and threatened to cut myself. I told him that that never happened. He said it didn't matter and if my behaviour wouldn't change I would be out on my arse without a leg to stand on, and would struggle getting a job in this climate and without a good reference. When I spoke the 'People Manager' (head of personnel) about this, she said the occupational therapist shouldn't have used that language, but that the points he made were true. She said she has a duty to ensure I am fit for purpose and can do the job they pay me to do. She said she has to protect staff and customers from the aftermath of my self-harming as no-one should have to see that. She told me she would be monitoring me very closely for the upcoming months. This happened at the end of August and ever since then it had bugged me. I have always been upfront about my illness and unfortunately one co-worker and my old manager saw my arm after I had self-harmed last December. I feel terrible that they saw that, but my fellow workers don't even know about my self-harming, and I wear long sleeved blouses that cover up my scars. I am very hard-working and polite, but I have told my manager repeatedly that I struggle on my own and I never get any help. When I wanted to move to a different department my manager wouldn't let me as she says I'm one of her best workers. I am also annoyed at how they added me "brandishing a knife and threatening to cut myself" on that busy Saturday during the summer. Am I being discriminated against or are they right and I just can't see it?

Hi, wondered if anyone can help my daughter. She has been off work for the last month with mental health problems. She has been diagnosed with bi-polar and borderline personality disorder and the employer knew about the bi-polar before taking her on and she has worked well there with just a few very short absences for the last two and a half years. However, she has had a bad episode and has had the services of a crisis care team at home and psychiatric care. At the beginning of the illness she was too ill to telephone the college so I did keep them informed telling them at the beginning of the week she wouldn't be in that week and on the Fridays to tell them about the probable non attendance for the coming week. For the latter part of her absence she has been e-mailing them (as advised by the Crisis Team rather than ringing which was causing her more stress). I have been taking in the sick notes as best I can with a full time job, getting them in in the second week of the certified dates. In short, we have been doing our best to keep them informed but apparently this has not been completely within their 'policies and procedures' and on Friday daughter received an e-mail stating they would only pay SSP for the whole absence, not the normal sick pay received by others if they'd managed to play exactly by the stringent rules. They sent a letter on Monday 11 November by post asking daughter to attend a meeting to discuss situation 1 p.m.on Wednesday 13 November. This wasn't received till the Wednesday at 11 a.m. and would have given her 2 hours to get a colleague to attend and prepare and in any event this kind of meeting would be inappropriate given her illness and contributed towards more stress, surely 2 hours notice is not sufficient? My question is, are they within their rights to do this? They 'champion' equality and diversity but this seems to be lip service when now faced with this situation they have so little empathy. Employer has also rung the mental health clinic asking for details of the case without permission. This new situation has put the situation back causing daughter more worry and stress. Can anyone give me their take on this? Sorry for long post. Many thanks.

Last week I visited and then bought a dog on Gumtree which was advertised as "recently vet checked and in excellent health". However, when I got him home I noticed that he kept shaking his head and upon looking saw that he had an extremely serious ear infection....his poor ear was a complete mess Next day I took him to my own vet who couldn't even inspect it properly because it was so sore but started him on antibiotics. I tried to get hold of previous owner but she was not returning my calls or texts. i tracked down her vet who confimred she has taken him in 10 days previous for his ear problem and again it was so sore it could not be properly inspected. they started him on antibiotics and was due to take him back 3 days later but never did ...that is obviously when she put him up for sale. As she advertised him as recently vet checked and in "excellent health" do I have a case against her of false advertising and fraud? thanks you

Hi everyone Sorry to be the newbie posting only for the first time! I would really like some advice on what to do with regards to an employment situation. I work for the NHS and have 4 years accrued service. I have always been a loyal, hardworking employee, and have rapidly progressed through the ranks. I started a new job a few weeks ago, and after 2 weeks, I had burnt out and was signed off work for depression and anxiety - I've not been well at all. The role was not right for me, i.e. I could not do it. I was sent to occupational health yesterday who wrote on the report that no adjustments can be made and I should not return to that role. I've now been told by my employer that if no adjustments can facilitate my return to that role, then I can be dismissed, or have the option to resign. I have asked them to allow me to second elsewhere for a year to a role I would be happy/comfortable doing, but they will not allow it, citing that it would stop them from being able to fill the role permanently. I just cannot return there - the thought gives me panic attacks. I want to be redeployed or something. Where do I stand?

My daughter has been off work for the last 2 weeks with mental health problems. She was taken on at work with the employer knowing she did have bi-polar. The chief psychiatrist has said she needs a phased return to work through an occupational health therapist but when I rang the employer they said they did not have occ health and it would have to be managed through the HR Dept who have not been very empathetic through this time. It is a large employer. My question is does anyone know if she can demand Occupational Health or are the employer doing anything wrong not having one. The doctor insisted it was through Occ Health and not HR. Many thanks to anyone to who can help.

Hi I have just been awarded partial ill health retirement backdated to end August 2013. I have now received a letter saying my employment will be terminated from the same date and I would receive any outstanding holiday pay.When I queried why I would not receive any notice pay and why there was no notification of my contract being terminated I was told that as I had requested to be considered for ill health retirement, I had effectively handed in my notice and would not be entitled to notice pay. I have been with this employer for 21 years. I would appreciate feedback as I have lost trust in my employer. If it's right then that's ok but I'm not convinced. Thanks

I'm in the same boat as you with Unum, been told that I have to deal with foc myself, never received a formal rejection letter and had to phone my supervisor before I found out that Unum had turned down my final appeal with them. I have been waiting 10 months for that decision with only my partners wage coming in. Seems the larger company has no idea how it works with Unum as they have just passed the buck on to me. Told me either I come back to work or I will have to leave or be sacked. They are just giving me a week before I have a recorded meeting with them to decide if I'm going back. can they just sack me?, force me back into work? even though it's still with them going to the foc. Where do I stand if lost job and foc rules that Unum should be paying me employers income protection money? Nightmare

I write this as an advisory note to any person who considers taking a loan out Wonga or any of its associate companies. I simply say do not! I foolishly believed that taking a loan from this Firm would indeed enhance my credit rating, a view which is most prevalent in all their advertising material. Unfortunately this is so not the case, indeed a loan from this indiscriminate parasite of Financial health will turn a reasonable rating into your financial life loosing its battle on the operating table. Wonga and its associates are out for one thing and one thing only. Not to improve your life in any way but to profiteer from peoples misfortune, be it through its emptying of your bank with roll over and excessively priced loans or indeed your financial dependence on main stream lenders. I asked the company to remove the fully paid accounts from my credit file, but to my astonishment they took the morale high ground saying they had a duty and obligation to report all transactions to credit reference agencies. Is it not a pity they show such morality when emptying their poor unsuspecting customers bank accounts in order to turn their 4500% profit margin. If there was such a thing as Financial cleansing surely Wonga should be the first to be put up against a wall and shot, thus riding the world of an evil entity which so preys on the mis fortune of the human race. Remember a loan in the hand is worth 6 years of financial ruin in the bush!

Hi, In March I made JD Williams/Reliable Collections aware of my mental health difficulties, while attempting to negotiate repayment of my debt to them via email. Eventually, they insisted that I call them to discuss things, but I refused and said I would prefer to communicate by email. After that, they stopped replying. To my knowledge, guidelines say they're meant to keep debt in-house for customers with mental health issues. Is this correct? If so, what courses of action are available to me now they've sold they debt to Fredrickson (I don't seem to have received a Notice of Assignment from either party).

My mum and dad are in their 70's and have had standard life healthcare for donkeys and every year their premiums keep going up. My dad had a heart attack recently and now their premium has been advised that it will go up from £440 to £680 a month. yep a month! They have a small place in Florida that they travel to for 3 months of the year to get away from the UK winter weather and becuase this premium has gone up so much they are now thinking they will have to sell as they cannot afford to renew their health insurance (which also gives them travel cover) What is the point in having the health insurance as basically they obviously dont want mum and dad as customers, As I guess they are high risk at their age so they put their premiums up to much to try and get rid of them, they are long standing customers of standard life and not really made any claims in their time with them. Is this legal what standard life are doing??

Hi. Brand new to the forum and just hoping to run my situation past everyone for feedback. I was put under suspension for Gross Misconduct for policy infringement (nothing that involved anyone else and nothing like theft). This initial suspension caused a serious breakdown this however led to a Psychiatric diagnosis of amongst other things OCD which according to my mental health professionals and my GP completely explains my erratic behaviour. I was on sick leave for a couple of months but my companies HR department were kept fully aware of the diagnosis and any changes in treatment. My therapist etc assured me I have done remarkably well and I made the decision myself to come off sick leave and face a disciplinary hearing. When I went through the hearing the interviewers had no information at all about my medical condition, which I tried to explain now appeared integral to my behaviour, They consulted with HR and told me they would adjourn the meeting for further investigation with my GP and Psychiatrist. I had a letter requesting permission to access medical records for which I gave my full consent ( I had already filled in another of these forms weeks earlier but though better than pointing this out). I also had complete faith in my medical team. There was a short telephone interview with a Occupation Health firm hired by the company which entirely focused on my ability to return to work. When the meeting was reconvened I was basically told that they had looked at the research but that I was dismissed, no questions or interview just go. I then found out that not one of my medical professionals had been approached for information. To make matters worse a letter arrived at my GP 2 days after the hearing requesting medical information (it was dated 2 days before the meeting). I've had legal advice that I should appeal and am awaiting a reply but I'm just looking for feedback about the rights and wrongs of the situation.

I have been ill with stress and signed off by the doctor for 2 weeks, I am going back soon and will be arguing to get the 3 days non payment refunded and if they put me on SSP the difference from that and full pay. In my return to work interview I will state the grounds of reasonable adjustments to help my return, these will simply be that I request they abide by employment and health and safety law. Their policy, depot not company is to stitch up the staff as much as possible and I have no doubt they will refuse to reimburse my losses, I will ensure they stick to my return to work requests, should they refuse to reimburse me for loses I will take them to court. What is the best way to take them to court? DIY or one of these No Win No Fee companies, if the latter are any better than others, if it goes to court I will go for compensation as well, they pushed me so far I broke down at work and it was very embarrassing. I will give them every chance to settle without court but I just want to know what I can do so I can make them aware of my intentions.

Hi I have recently been signed off for a month and it could be longer I have a terminal illness and although I was off sick a long time ago (3yrs) been ok ever since. Employed for nearly 6 yrs, no pension Ha Ha but will not return to current job for 1 yr although could get a driver, or work in the office so not an unreasonable adjustment in my opinion. Anyway the question is what would be a normal time span before the co make noises about getting rid of me? and what would be the normal process, given that company has always been reasonable and are a fairly large employer?

Hi. Does anyone know how long it generally takes for an employer to arrange an occupational health visit? I have been off work with health problems and my employers have had all the info they requested - a GP report - to arrange an appointment for me with the Occupational Health dept since NOVEMBER. I feel they are being slippery. They don't answer emails until my union rep has sent at least 3, and the last time, they said they would deal with my directly and the visit would happen soon. That was 6 weeks ago, I have sent them 3 emails which they have not answered since then.

Ok, this is a unique one so I think requires reason and rhetorics, rather than jurisdiction knowledge, as such. I started working as a bike messenger for a company as one of their in house couriers just under a year ago. At the time of starting, I was told that I would be responsible for the costs of running my bike. This I accepted at initial face-value. Since then I found out that the drivers get their cars provided and paid for. I accept this as just one of those negotiations I missed out on, like pay raises. Over the course of the past year, I kept my bike safe to ride spending somewhere around £400 (that's what 30 miles a day of city riding does!). It all came to ahead yesterday when I tried to tell them that, to make my bike safe to ride (therefore my health and safety secured), £200 would be needed to be spent on my bike and I could not afford it myself. They offered £100, I refused and asked why they pay for the drivers costs but not mine. They explained their legal obligation to do this if they wish to keep the cars on the road. I explained their obligation to keep my work vehicle in good working order due to my health and safety needs, regardless of legal requirements for MOTs, tyres etc. on cars versus cycles. They blank faced me. I handed my notice in and refused to work my notice period, due to my bike not being safe to ride due to ware and tear. My question are: Do I have a case under the HSE's requirements for them to make my, already insanely dangerous, job safe by providing funds for keeping my bike in good working order? Does this take presidence over the contract that says I will be responsible for paying for my bike to remain safe? I doubt they even risk assessed my job, should they have done? I guess if you risk assess a bike messenger's job, you'd never employ one! I know I have not worked there for 2 years, but do I still have any rights under civil law? If they offer me my job back, would I be reasonable to refuse to work for a company that foregoes health and safety in the name of cost and claim compensation instead? Thanks, in advance.

Within the last week I was sectioned by the police and taken to a secure mental health unit. I was allowed home and the crisis team who visited me have have indicated that there is a long journey ahead of me with treatment and medication, meaning that for the first time in 25 years I'm unable to work. (it appears from initial assessments that I've not been overly well since 1992, but have built up numerous coping and concealing mechanisms which have given the appearance to the outside world of relative normality) I have been particularly '"less than well" since the beginning of february this year, and since then I agreed to arrangements from a couple of doorstep agents collecting debt (both from utility companies) approaching £350 per month. There are additional debts and last years council tax is in the hands of the bailiffs. We now have a limited family income of under £1800 per month with a few young children. There are also a few other issues that have a financial bearing, including faliure to SORN the car at the beginning of the year when I became unable to drive (the car wasn't used but for some reason I just wasn't in the correct mental place to SORN), and a number other outstanding debts. No-one in the family smokes/drinks/used drugs etc, we have no telly, no landline, and have cut all spending to the bone over the last 12 months. At the moment I'm really unclear where to go from here, or who to contact to get things worked out in the right way so any advice would be really appreciated. I feel that were just about treading water at the moment, but in-laws are very kindly propping us up by helping with children's uniforms and clubs etc. I hope I've been as clear as possible here, I may not to be able to reply quickly to posts as I have quite a lot of appointments with the Mental Health Teams and the assorted medications that I've been started on have altered what my usual perception of normality is. Many thanks

At my place of work we were recently given a document called "code of conduct for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England". We were told that these guidelines apply to us. The link is below: http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/component/docman/doc_download/2246-code-of-conduct-healthcare-support.html My concern is under section 1 called be accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions There is a statement which reads: 2. always behave and present yourself in a way that does not call into question your suitability to work in a health and social care environment. For me what type of offences, committed outside of work, could be deemed to make you unsuitable? I'm happy that things like theft, assault and the other obvious things which would preclude you from working with vulnerable people BUT I see this as a very broad spectrum of things that could be used as an easy way to dismiss a member of staff who has committed an offence. For example, a person who does not pay a parking ticket. Are they unsuitable? Where do you draw the line here? This is a very worrying way to threaten staff.

Hi fellow caggers, It looks like I could have been given duff advice by my union rep and shafted by management I was ill health retired with lump sum although I am appealing for immediate pension. At the only meeting that I had last year with the rep and regional manager I was told that I would have to accept the lump sum deal and then appeal for immediate pension at a later date. I said that I really did not want the money hanging around in my bank which I was unable use and could the company keep it untill the appeal. The whole charade has been strung out and I don't seem to be getting any further. After taking some advice by someone in the know, it appears that in the terms of the ill health retirement agreement that that I could have carried on being employed till the appeal had been heard. Having been paid lump sum (which I can't touch cos they may want it back if appeal is successful) I have been living on the basic ESA contribution rate and am suffering financial hardship as I am unable to clim income support cos there's too much in my bank. It was never brought to my attention that I could have forgon the lump sum. There are so many discrepencies in how I was dismissed that the union have admitted that the rep got it wrong. Also it is clear that my former company have not conducted the procedure correctly either. As such I feel that I have been miss represented. What direction do I take now. Should I contact my home insurance, fortunately I have legal protection on my policy. Management and union have gone very quiet now. Has anyone else been in this predicament Lola xx

Like many people I am so used to trusting the care we get off of the NHS, however recently I have found the care at my local hospital and health centre to say the least frustrating. I am 52 an ex smoker non drinker and not overweight. Originally diagnosed with Prolapsed disc, whilst having blood tests on inflammatory markers, it was discovered I had high cholesterol. I was prescribed with Simvastatin. My blood pressure was also high, so was also prescribed Rampiril. Another condition also came to light which was underactice thyroid and was prescribed Levothyroxine. Within a few weeks I started to get bad headaches in the Temple area jaw and neck. Was put on Prednisolone. when I put in my repeat prescription the Prednislone was not in and I ended up in A&E due to Addisons crisis, at the time I was withdrawing from Tramadol from my prolapsed disc episode and was pumped full of opiates. it was only when i went back to the doctors that I was told I should not have stopped the Predenisolone abruptly, told him I hadnt done this voluntarily that my prescription had not been issued. I had a biopsy for Temporal Arteritis, at the time of the biopsy on the temporal artery I was told as I was on Prednisolone it may not show anything! My urine sample showed high glucose levels and trace blood in urine. Now to top it all last Wednesday I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic. Seeing 3 different doctors (no continuity at health centre) each asked if I was diabetic, I told them I did not know. It was only when i demanded (politely) to be tested was it diagnosed. Non of my medications have been reviewed since October. can any of these contributed to the onset of diabetes? The side effects appear to antogonise some other conditions had to have 2 weeks off work, due back at doctors on Monday also due back at work. What should i do, mood swings are worse as it affects family and friends and clients at work. any ideas on how to proceed or any advice Please as I'm extremely frustrated with a) Health b) ammount of medication I am on c) non communication to me or between doctors Thank you

Does anyone have experience of being treated for agoraphobia on NHS? Mine has not been very good....I was referred for treatment sometime ago - had to wait about 9 months for an assessment apt with a therapist - and was then told I would need to travel 10 miles to their centre......they do not do home visits - this was despite being told by my GP that they would come to my home and take me out....... Rang GP and he said there was nothing more he could do - although he did ring the MHT and got the same response as I did. Stumped now as to what to do. I live alone and do not have anyone in a local radius that can help out. GP said only option would be to go private but at £50 a session minimum that is way out of my reach.

Hi, I really hope someone can offer me some advice please! First, a bit of background: I have a somewhat difficult relationship with management at my workplace, I think I am seen as 'trouble'. Partly because I have an illness that falls under disability rules so I have higher absence than they would like, but also because I successfully stuck up for myself when they have attacked me, with the result that many of my colleagues have asked me to attend disciplinary hearings with them and/or have joined the union that helped me. Recently there has been a bit of an undercurrent of 'niggling' at me - picking fault with my performance, falsely accusing me of making inappropriate comments,'accidentally' dismantling the adjustments to my desk so I have to find someone to help me reassemble them when I come in... low level stuff, but to me it feels like borderline harassment and it is unsettling and upsetting. Today I had to go and attend an occupational health assessment. The reason given in my 'invitation' to attend was a general 'so we can see how we can help you'. The reason given by occ health was 'to see whether you are fit to work early shifts again' (I currently do not work early shifts as a reasonable adjustment) but I think the real reason was to try and make trouble for me. This was my third OHS assessment and the third different company. The last two were pretty understanding and even helpful. This one took place in our office and was horrendous... At the time the appointment was arranged I had not had any absence since the previous September although I went off sick on Monday and so actually was off after all when I attended. What I have is a condition called bile acid malabsorption and an unspecified digestive disorder that may just be really disruptive IBS, but tests are still ongoing. But I get severe pain, bloating, chronic diarrhoea and acid reflux. And I also have a chronic anal fissure due to constant diarrhoea, which I have had several surgeries for but my surgeon says now cannot be considered for surgery until the underlying health issues are identified and treated. TMI, I know, sorry for having to share that. TBH I am getting a bit fed up of having to share it with more and more people every time my bosses fancy humiliating me. Anyway... Firstly, the occ health claimed I had said I was suffering from... well, I don't know what. I had literally never heard of whatever it was I am supposed to have said. So straight away she accused me of inventing a diagnosis. Then she asked me to tell her about the consultants I am attending with and what tests I had had, but kept interrupting me with the result that she didn't actually hear half of the medical history at all. At one point when I mentioned having an X-Ray she told me I was being ridiculous and that they wouldn't do an X-Ray for digestive issues, but I'm pretty sure it'll be on file somewhere...Then started telling me that if I hadn't had such-and-such a test then the consultant probably didn't really think there was anything wrong with me! She called the consultant's office at one point to question why the next appointment was so far off. At that point we discovered that a referral I was waiting for - to see a dietician - had not been made by my consultant, and his notes said I was going to ask my GP to refer me. So then she accused me of 'lying' about the referral. She discounted my symptoms, told me I was 'too fat' to have chronic diarrhoea, and said that in her opinion I just need to lose weight. I tried to explain that my weight has ballooned as a result of the illness as the fissure causes pain on exercise and because continence issues mean I am scared to walk. She ignored this and started to lecture me on a healthy diet. I tried pointing out that because of the bile acid malabsorption I had been on an ultra-low-fat diet until recently, but she ignored me. She told me that continence issues weren't relevant, partly because I had acknowledged that this has improved lately (it has, but that doesn't stop you worrying) and partly because I work in a friendly office. Like somehow it'd be okay to s**t myself in public because I get on okay with my co-workers?!?!?! She finished by telling me I needed to accept that illness is the way it is and make the best of things. Which is what I've been trying to do, attending work when I am in no fit state half the time and just trying to hang on to the smallest modicum of dignity and self-respect. Before I left she got me to fill in a form saying she could speak to my GP about me this afternoon. She said if I didn't sign I'd appear unco-operative and that might be held against me - as if I was a criminal!!! After I left I called and told my doctor why I'd signed and she said to call HR and withdraw my consent and that she would decline to speak to them. Anyhow, occ health reckons I'm okay to work mornings, she considers that it is no longer bad enough to constitute a disability and that she is reporting to my employer that I lied about diagnosis and about the dietician referral, even thought I didn't. Which is fine, whatever, I've got no energy left to fight it anymore. They've won, I guess. The union said they don't necessarily need the truth, as long as they've got a report that appears to back them up. I'll get booted out, and end up on benefits because who'd give me a job now? I just don't know what to do. Is there anything I can do at all? Many thanks for your help, and even for reading all of this.

Hi i was on support group in November 2011 i was transferred to (wrag) i appealed the decision and my tribunal hearing is in late January 2013 i am very worried as i think i have not presented my case well i suffer from depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and neck pain etc. December 2012 i had a letter from job centre plus my benefits had stopped because its been payed 365 days i phoned job centre plus they have sent me another form (esa3) i posted back by special delivery, i phoned job centre plus a week later just to check if they have received the form job centre plus said they haven't received any forms from me a couple of days later i phoned them again still the same answer i got in touch with royal mail regarding my special delivery, royal mail confirmed that they delivered this item end of December 2012 royal mail also sent me an email with the signature of the person that received my letter also the date it was received yet job centre plus still saying they haven't received the form please advise me what i should do. My health is worsening all the time i have no money coming in, i have been to (cab) regarding my tribunal case (cab) booked an appointment with welfare right adviser, the adviser was no help at all. I am left on my own to defend myself i don't know what to do now.