Losing job due to illness? Update 27/10

Wicked_witch

From previous experience the GP process takes about 2 weeks, so it's not an immediate option it seems. Would they speed up the process in this situation?

Takeaway_Addict

I hope she gets better and she really does need to put health over the job but if she is on a zero hour contract the company don't need to sack her, they just don't give her any hours and they are likely to have very little liability.

Kez1983

I recently registered with a GP and was told I could have an appointment 2 days later. I was offered it without asking, I wasn't actually needed an appointment just wanted to register - perhaps explaining the situation could get an appointment sooner when she registers?

anamenottaken

Kez1983 wrote: »

I recently registered with a GP and was told I could have an appointment 2 days later. I was offered it without asking, I wasn't actually needed an appointment just wanted to register - perhaps explaining the situation could get an appointment sooner when she registers?

Yes - very likely. I think GPs are required by their contract to see newly registered patients. Think that there are some standard records they need to maintain - like smoking status.

jacques_chirac

Maytree offer an excellent service, even for those outside London. Well worth a call - they will speak to either of you and guide you on the best way to get treatment. The problem with the NHS is their first line of treatment is medication, and indeed their second and third line too - it is not the right solution for everyone.

With regard to benefits, it may be constructive for her to go on to ESA for a while rather than JSA. She will need a sick note from a GP to do this.

Wicked_witch

Really glad to know that, thanks.

It's the 0 hours bit that's worrying me, T-A, but she has had regular hours since the start and earned 130 a week so that might make a difference.

PS anamenottaken, I always read your name as if it was an Egyptian Pharaoh's!

Wicked_witch

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Maytree offer an excellent service, even for those outside London. Well worth a call - they will speak to either of you and guide you on the best way to get treatment. The problem with the NHS is their first line of treatment is medication,

Thanks. I did speak to a lovely guy at hopelineuk after posting here and he made me feel a bit more confident about my role in handling things. I want to help her in any way needed, but I don't want to disenfranchise her and end up preventing her from helping herself.

I was wondering about ESA but isn't there a very long wait for a decision? She needs something to live on in the meantime.

Flyonthewall

Wicked_witch wrote: »

I was wondering about ESA but isn't there a very long wait for a decision? She needs something to live on in the meantime.

I believe they pay while making the decision. If they decided against her being on ESA she would either have to appeal it or go on JSA.

From what I've read, a lot of people who really need to be on ESA are told they can't claim it to start with and have had to appeal. Others are on JSA.

Wicked_witch

That would explain why the u25 rate seems to be the same as jsa for 3 months to begin with.

She would much rather work, being alone makes her feel worse, but the politics in this job are adding hugely to her stress. She's in today so will ask them what they want/expect her to do rather than issuing vague warnings!

Humphrey10

Wicked_witch wrote: »

From previous experience the GP process takes about 2 weeks, so it's not an immediate option it seems. Would they speed up the process in this situation?

It's never taken 2 weeks in my experience. If she rings them and says she wants to register but needs a same day appointment now because she has been suicidal they will not make her wait 2 weeks.

Wicked_witch wrote: »

She is not currently on medication, as she is scared of taking any pills and has no local GP right now.

Her depression is affecting her work and now the company want her to leave because of it.

I'm not surprised they want her to leave. I'd expect my employer to fire me on the spot (or at least try to) if I went to them and said "I'm suffering from an illness that affects my work, but I'm refusing any treatment for it, and in fact I am not even registered with a GP".

Wicked_witch wrote: »

She would much rather work, being alone makes her feel worse, but the politics in this job are adding hugely to her stress.

If she registers with a GP, begins treatment (which doesn't need to be tablets, it can be talking therapy or similar, but if she is suicidal she really needs to follow medical advice now and do something about it now even if that means tablets - she can stop them later if needed) goes in and explains this to work I'm sure they will view her in a much better light.

Good luck to you and your daughter OP, she is lucky she has you.