Ill Health Retirement

I’ve been on long term sick leave (almost 5 years) from my job in the HSE. I’m due to meet Occ. Health doctor next week and I’m wondering is it time to discuss early retirement on ill health grounds. My initial diagnosis at 46 was breast cancer and while treatment was successful I’ve been left with a list of long term side effects, including a colostomy bag. Outwardly I appear well but on a day to day basis deal with a variety of different issues. My job is not suited to working from home long term but I wonder how strict are the criteria by the HSE to grant retirement of this sort?

Maybe your union might be able to assist/advise you?

Sorry to hear you are unwell. Are you a member of a union? They would be best to advise you on the process.

All you can do is document your symptoms, the type, frequency, how they impact your quality of life. And if they are improving, getting worse or staying the same. Make a list, be as detailed as you can. Is your gp prescribing any treatment or therapy for the symptoms and has it made any difference.

Think of a typical day, and describe it, what you can or cannot achieve during each day. Can you successfully, dress, cook, clean, shop, garden, relax, travel, eat, sleep, shower etc, independently, with a little help, with a lot of help, or you rely on someone else to do that task.

Occ health is there to protect the HSE in the main, and retiring you on ill health is a cost, so they may wan you to come back to work to see if your symptoms get worse or better.

Have a look at this. I'd imagion you contact your manager or HR first. If you're a member of a union they should be able to help.

I don’t know the specifics of the HSE scheme but in my scheme you had to be under the care of a consultant. Your consultant could then furnish you with a letter to bring to occupational health. Have a read through any policies and procedures. If you are under the treatment of more than one consultant get a letter from each. A corroboration from your GP won’t do any harm either, reinforcing the day to day challenges you have based on seeing you regularly and monitoring your health over the course of the disease.

Management may have discretion under the policy as well. I see it has to be signed off by a HR director. Perhaps not the union but I would definitely bring a trusted colleague to any meetings with HR / Manager.

Another angle is if your illness and the outcomes come under any of the categories of disability, your employer will need to make reasonable accommodations as well. If these are not possible, it might be open to explore options to retire early.

The occupational health person should be taking a fair and balanced view. Not trying to hound someone back to work who isn’t capable of their current role.

The key section from the I’ll health doc is below. -
————————///
Your application will be reviewed by an occupational health doctor. They will make an assessment based on available medical evidence and make a recommendation.

They may request additional medical evidence such as from your GP or a specialist to help with their assessment. You should include as much information as possible to prevent delays with your application.
———————-//-//

You need to bring enough medical evidence to support your case.

A consultant report will carry a lot of weight.