Access to work help

northerntwo1

Apologies as its late so I will post and sleep but I've just had a text from a friend. Short version she collapsed at work, she says exhaustion, lack of food but she is epileptic, as a result pending a neuro appt the GP suspended her licence.

She can use public transport but it's not suitable. She is a nurse and starts at 7am before the train gets her in and ends at 9.30 so on a good day she can get last train but doesn't always get off shift to get train. She will sleep at my house next week as closer to work and can do as often as needed but she has 2 children one who has special needs so long term it's not ideal. If they do say epilepsy and remove her driving licence can access to work help.

She lives 45 miles from work place.

She will ring them tomorrow but the guidance says can't use public transport and she can its just not early/late enough.

Savvy_Sue

Two things:

1. Access to Work takes a while to sort out, I understand.

2. Is she actually fit to work?

What I'm saying is, for whatever reason, she collapsed at work. Best case (for her) is exhaustion and lack of food. Is it not appropriate for the GP to give her a fit note and tell her to stay home for a week?

northerntwo1

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Two things:

1. Access to Work takes a while to sort out, I understand.

2. Is she actually fit to work?

What I'm saying is, for whatever reason, she collapsed at work. Best case (for her) is exhaustion and lack of food. Is it not appropriate for the GP to give her a fit note and tell her to stay home for a week?

Thank you, she is ok now, according to her it was just of those days, as she had been on night shift, no sleep next day as school holidays then a bad night with child and an early shift. So combination of things which meant she hadn't ate/drank on a hot ward. She did however not take her meds so it meant the GP had to inform DVLA pending a neuro appt.

She took a few days off and isn't on shift now until Tuesday. It's more long term that's the issue. She has rang Access to Work who have said to get taxi prices and apply but they also clearly say can't use public transport. She can use it so I don't think it will be granted but I'm not sure how it works if honest.

pmlindyloo

Have a read of this

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/access-work

It appears that if she has been working for longer than 6 weeks then her employer will have to pay some of the costs.

I think an easier option is for her to try and get her shifts changed so she can use public transport. Has she spoken to her manager about losing her licence?

carole.uk

I applied to access to work and it was a very quick turn around about 4 weeks My employer needs to supply the adapted equipment and ATW contribute towards my travel cost

northerntwo1

Thank you all she has a meeting with OH next week to discuss

carole.uk

Don't go through work to sort it out, just ring access to work direct They will then start the claim from the day you called. They then usually put you in touch with a advisors and send someone out to assess you in your work place

northerntwo1

Thank you everyone, they have arranged a short term hour change until her neuro appt but if it's long term she will need to readdress

Carole - access to work have said its for those unable to take public transport and she can so I don't think that will be an option. Long term she will have to see if alternative employment is available.

[Deleted User]

the GP can't suspend her licence it is upto her to report the facts to the dvla,has she been diagnosed with epilepsy?has she had seizures,and if so how many?
she might try talking to the epilepsy action helpline

northerntwo1

woodbine wrote: »

the GP can't suspend her licence it is upto her to report the facts to the dvla,has she been diagnosed with epilepsy?has she had seizures,and if so how many?
she might try talking to the epilepsy action helpline

Her GP was to notify DVLA as he suspects she had a fit. Yes she has epilepsy that has until this recent event been controlled and there is no evidence that she did have a seizure, other than patients reported twitching and she blanked out. But as I said she had not taken her medication, so I understand and so does she why the GP has taken such action until the Neuro advises otherwise.

[Deleted User]

from govt site

Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the Traffic Act as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 1 licence, who has had 2 or more epileptic seizures during the previous 5 year period.

2A. Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(4)(b) of the Traffic Act in relation to an applicant for a Group 1 licence who satisfies the conditions set out in paragraph (2F) and who has either:

a. been free from any unprovoked seizure during the period of 1 year immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted; or

b. during that 1 year period has suffered no unprovoked seizure other than a permitted seizure

2B. A permitted seizure for the purposes of paragraph (2A)(b) is:

a. a seizure, which can include a medication adjustment seizure, falling within only 1 of the permitted patterns of seizure; or

b. a medication adjustment seizure where
i. that medication adjustment seizure does not fall within a permitted pattern of seizure;
ii. previously effective medication has been reinstated for at least 6 months immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted;
iii. that seizure occurred more than 6 months before the date when the licence is granted; and
iv. there have been no other unprovoked seizures since that seizure; or

c. a seizure occurring before a medication adjustment seizure permitted under sub-paragraph (b), where:
i. that earlier seizure had, to that point, formed part of only 1 permitted pattern of seizure and had occurred prior to any medication adjustment seizure not falling within the same permitted pattern; or
ii. it is a medication adjustment seizure, which was not followed by any other type of unprovoked seizure, except for another medication adjustment seizure