Sick

Buzzard1985

Hi,

If I am detained in hospital for 2-3 months is my employment protected?    Terrified to go forward as I know the GP will want me assessed- failing he will detain me for assessment- 3 days- no avenue of appeal.   The psychiatrist can then revoke or slap a Short Term Detention Certificate on me. Appeal to tribunal available with legal input. Then progression on to other things.   How can I engage employer if confined to hospital and Dr can and has stopped communication by phone/letter to folk. 
Tends to happen I can confined as pose a significant risk to myself and need nursing/observation. 

I am avoiding the Dr- I mention fleeting suicidal ideation alarm bells go- due to my extensive past.    Plodding into work- sleep-doing nothing- yet still have some interest in sex. Which is odd- endorphins I think- probability.
I read long term ill-health employment can end.  But seems to be if never be able to return.  My illness has seriously dangerous low- formal intervention- back- up/down. 

Savvy_Sue

I don't believe there's any automatic protection for being detained in hospital, but someone would DEFINITELY have to communicate with your employer: just not turning up to work for days / weeks / months tends not to end well. Submitting regular fit notes would be the very bare minimum of communication. 

Ideally you'd let your employer know that you were going to be assessed, and one possible outcome would be a hospital stay during which you may not be able to communicate freely. Then see what they say about holding your job open. 

But your health needs to take priority ... 

KatrinaWaves

You have mentioned you have a partner. Would they not be able to tell your employer where you were? 

Diamandis

Have you been kept in hospital for mental health reasons before? It's pretty rare this happens due to suicidal thoughts these days, mental health workers visiting you regularly at home would be more standard. 

In hospital you should still be able to use your phone or laptop etc. 

Marcon

Buzzard1985 said:

Hi,

If I am detained in hospital for 2-3 months is my employment protected?    Terrified to go forward as I know the GP will want me assessed- failing he will detain me for assessment- 3 days- no avenue of appeal.   The psychiatrist can then revoke or slap a Short Term Detention Certificate on me. Appeal to tribunal available with legal input. Then progression on to other things.   How can I engage employer if confined to hospital and Dr can and has stopped communication by phone/letter to folk. 

Not in the same way as, say, medical absence for pregnancy related reasons, but if your work performance has been satisfactory your employer may be entirely sympathetic. If you are unable to contact people by phone or letter, then your partner or the hospital should be able to do so on your behalf.

Buzzard1985

Diamandis said:

Have you been kept in hospital for mental health reasons before? It's pretty rare this happens due to suicidal thoughts these days, mental health workers visiting you regularly at home would be more standard. 

In hospital you should still be able to use your phone or laptop etc. 

I tend to get detained- emergency Detention then onto Short Term(28 days).  Powers to stop use of phones etc- I planned an escape before and holding staff hostage. So powers used to curtail my outside communication as allowed.  It seems to follow me- some more parnoid than others.    Can understand as I type.  Not so on ward at the time.     Hanged myself in hospital- over a decade of in/out.  So I think my risk is too much when I become unwell
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/13/part/18/crossheading/communications-security-etc