Physio therapy

[robert37uk]

Hi I have a question anyone help me . I'm a postman and I have arthritis in my left hip .and therefore find it difficult going up stairs to deliver mail. Royal mail put me forward for medical retirement and I spoke to occupational health by phone .I understand royal mail has decided to get me physio therapy . I told my manager that I need to arrange an appointment for this and he told me fine but I need to arrange it in my own time or else I will lose pay if in their time. Is this true I'm still at work now struggling on my walk.also who pays for this physio therapy. Thanks for anyone's help as my union rep is not sure about any of this.

[stars2025]

u can go to ur own doctors surgery they will have a local physio its free on nhs, just phone up ur surgery ask for an appointment with the physio

[Rve83ndxd]

I think you have to go through Help@hand. RM pay for it. Should be a leaflet up at work with the signin details. Probably quicker than waiting for the NHS.

[Sean06]

Help at hand don't offer physio anymore.your manager needs to refer you to health partners.also they will recommed your are given the time off to attend the apt.

[robert37uk]

Thanks for all the advice Royal mail have already referred me for physio therapy . But the only problem is they told me I have to make arrangements for an appointment outside of my working hrs which is not available. I work in east London but live in romford and my appointment for physio therapy and further ones is going to be in romford. So everytime I need to attend a 30 minute appointment I will lose a day's wages. That's my problem as I'm still at work with my arthritis.

[Mickeybrowneyes]

Try and sort something out with the rep and manager around swapping rest days on those days you need to go to an appointment.
Arthritis is protected under the equalities act so the company may have to look at a duty with minimal stairs for you in the future if you don't wish to retire.

[Chelseablue]

Should rm not do more for joint problems etc in this modern era ? Same as other post , am struggling but dont want just kicked out esp with this billionaire incoming and not really givin a f bout the staff . Doing this job does affect some of us after a lot of years , day in day out 11/13 miles a day.

[redlen]

This is an interesting problem with appointments, but take what i say as an educated opinion.

While you are covered under the Equality Act 2010 as a disability, this is not a majic bullet. The question to ask is with the manager saying you have to arrange the physio in your own time, are you being subject to a detriment over another employee?

The answer has to be no as you have the option of a days paid /unpaid, or take a days holiday as an option.

You can request appointments with your normal day off. If no fixed day off then as long as you show them the appointment letter from the health care professional or NHS with advance notice, the manager has to accomodate otherwise will be unreasonable.