Discrimination ?

daytona0

FBaby wrote: »

No she isn't at all. The main need for a person first diagnosed with bipolar is appropriate medication that indeed, only a consultant can prescribe. Resources from charity such as Bipolar UK can then help with learning how to live with the condition, but that help is only going to be minimal compare to what medication can do. Bipolar response to medication more effectively as a whole than depression.

I think the OP is, for the fact that they use a service which was referred to them by NHS (assuming they gave the NHS a fair crack at helping, which they probably didn't if they dispute the fact that NHS refer people to Bipolar UK without checking the nhs website itself!) but then went on to blame the NHS for making the problems worse. Doesn't make sense to me. Certainly not a rational way to approach things. Stating that someone is really unhelpful but failing to acknowledge that they refer you to a useful service as part of their help.... Just comes across as trying to attach blame to an innocent party.

BUT then again maybe the Bipolar has something to do with this. I was just trying to highlight;

1. That the reaction may be over the top (or completely unjustified!) and OP needs to step back to figure out the best course of action

2. To consider consulting a doctor before embarking on this endeavor

I'm sure you'd agree with those two points?

FBaby

I think the OP is, for the fact that they use a service which was referred to them by NHS (assuming they gave the NHS a fair crack at helping, which they probably didn't if they dispute the fact that NHS refer people to Bipolar UK without checking the nhs website itself!) but then went on to blame the NHS for making the problems worse. Doesn't make sense to me.

Why are you assuming that she was referred to this service? It's not because it's listed on the NHS choice website that it is a systematic pathway. I suspect this is available only in parts of the country, and a patient wouldn't be 'referred' so such service per se, they would direct them to it.

I think OP reacted over emotionally out of frustration of reading posts that told her that she was out of her mind thinking of challenging legally the organisation, when actually, she was right that she potentially has a very good case. Yes, she shouldn't have risen to it all, but not always easy to detach yourself when you are angry and frustrated.

Who she needs to consult is a very good solicitor, not one who will tell her what she wants to hear and go after her money, but someone who can explicitly explain to her, having looked at her case in at least some level of detail, the grounds under which she might indeed have a case.

ps: I say all this despite the fact that I don't believe it is right that a disability alone should protect you legally from being refused a job on the basis of sickness record when others with a similar record, and some potential very good reasons for it will not be entitled to that same protection, but the law disagrees.

daytona0

I'm not talking about a doctor referral. I'm talking about the website which is part of the nhs service. The nhs website would have referred op to the company. I think that helpful and supportive of the nhs.

Aside from that, your post is accurate and good.

nathanjpj

i do understand the difficulties employers face with employees who are unwell and cannot be relied upon. especially smaller businesses. the NHS is rather large, though.

the accusation that i'm trying to take money from an underfunded NHS is very unfair.

i have always been a reliable employee. my problems were condensed into a single year. i have given most of my working life to the NHS. i have supported Health Authorities, PCTs, CCGs and Trusts for decades. and when i need a little support ... i am let down

waiting from Sept to Feb for treatment is not usual or acceptable. i was diagnosed mid Sept and my treatment was due to start late Oct. the Trust abandoned me when I moved house (30 miles) and i had to fight for the treatment to be given. it was very challenging and i became very unwell.

i was also fighting to return to work, but a contracted temporary manager was abusing policy to keep me out of their way. it was very difficult

Sncjw

They may have sent your appointments to the old address. Did you see inform them
Of the new address

Sncjw

Have you looked at the trusts sickened policy at all.

nathanjpj

daytona0 wrote: »

1. That the reaction may be over the top (or completely unjustified!) and OP needs to step back to figure out the best course of action

this isn't sarcasm, i promise. i dearly hope you never develop a mental health condition, if you do, you will not survive.

you will not cope with how broken the service is, how little support you get, and how you are, while unwell, expected to do most of the research and legwork yourself, when you are at your lowest point, you are expected to stand up for yourself.

nathanjpj

FBaby wrote: »

Who she needs to consult is a very good solicitor, not one who will tell her what she wants to hear and go after her money,

i'm big enough to admit i overstated the conviction of my solicitor as being 100% supportive of discrimination

they seem like a well-informed, experienced, reputable company. i explained my situation to the solicitor an her reply was "that's discrimination". i have now supplied all the paperwork and evidence, and they, like Bipolar UK, ACAS and EASS, have advised that I have a strong case worth pursuing.

nathanjpj

Sncjw wrote: »

They may have sent your appointments to the old address. Did you see inform them
Of the new address

yes, i informed them, and paid for a Royal Mail forwarding service

nathanjpj

Sncjw wrote: »

Have you looked at the trusts sickened policy at all.

my employer's, the employer's who rejected me, or the trust that was treating me?