Can Employer ignore Doctor’s recommendation for ill health retirement?

andrea_louise

Op, it may be prudent to contact the pensions advisory service. Ask their advice, it's not something that's going to be resolved immediately.


Your relative will need to claim ESA and look into DLA/PIP depending on where abouts in the country you are, but enlist the help from your local welfare rights team (as ESA/DLA/PIP are a minefield in their own right)

andrea_louise

frontdoor75 wrote: »

A relative (age 61) diagnosed with a serious heart problem (like footballer Fabrice Muamba) and off work for 11 months and currently on half-pay, applied for ill health retirement 11 months ago.

Employer’s doctor’s 1st verdict: not able to do current ‘physical’ job but able to do alternative ‘office’ job.

Employer asked for 2nd more ‘definite’ opinion by Employer’s Doctor.

Examined by SAME (Employer’s) doctor as before – Verdict: recommended ill health. Check scheme rules, it is generally unusual for an independent registered medical practitioner who has already given advice, to be asked again with the same prospective pensioner.

Having disagreed with Company’s recommendation, Company have asked him to get another medical opinion from Company’s Pension Doctor.

(NHS Heart Consultant has also offered to write a letter recommending ill health retirement) say yes please, and include a copy of the pension scheme rules