Back Pain/Pulled Muscle - help at hand?

[Ddarko85]

Was moving stuff around the house yesterday - back went. Can’t bend down and walking/turning is a problem.

Manager is saying I need to get in touch with ‘help at hand’ or something? Not sure what that is, he asked if I could come in and do indoor work. Can barely walk around the house!

Any idea on what this help at hand is? Or should I just ring my GP to cover my arse?

[77SAMPOST77]

Go see your doctor as soon as possible .

[supershots]

Report it as "an accident at work immediately" if you have not already done so.

[aiden01]

Report it as "an accident at work immediately" if you have not already done so.

Why would they do that already said it was hurt moving stuff in house.

[Ddarko85]

Yea, informed them I did it yesterday.

But I have no idea what this help at hand thing is he was on about.

[Slim2none]

Help at hand is the "new" app that offers access to GPs, physio, mental health etc.
Don't know for certain but I believe this was created in response to "accusations" from the select committee regarding RM response to health concerns for employees. I was told by manager that if I didn't contact them, I am not showing any willingness to improve my condition and return to work. So make of that what you will.

[Slim2none]

Should also add that it is supposed to be independent and confidential.

[crazyshrew]

Help at hand is a service that RM buys in to to provide services to its employees, neith an RM app or service
Which might be why when I recently used it, it was surprisingly easy and really helpful

There is a company code for registration ( to prove you are entitled to the service)
And it covers your immediate family too, though you need to set up profiles for them

Then you can access, various materials, and appointments for private Physiotherapy, mental health support, and GPs, effectively all paid for by RM

I easily booked a GP appointment I needed urgently for a chronic condition.
Weekend and evening appointments were easily available.
I got good advice and prescription details emailed to me.
I only had to pay the private price for the medication at the pharmacy (I have a pre-payment cert so was a bit annoyed by this) but it was only £4.95.
Happy days.

The Dr offered to forward the consultation and prescription details to my regular GP, who I couldn't get an appointment with until the end of next week, so my medical record is complete and accurate.

I was very happy, and it was all in all stress free, which is more than can be said for running the 0830 gauntlet for getting in at any of the Docs round here

[Foxel]

...

Sounds promising, I have an ailment which needs intervention and was stressing a little about the manager fallout.

[crazyshrew]

...manager fallout.

And this is it.
RM rules and policies look good and reasonable on paper, however when the stresses of reality are playing out everything fall apart and appears punitive because the rest of the world isn't playing by RMs rules.

I had full on flu a couple of years ago and was threatened with losing pay because I couldn't get past the GP receptionist to get a sick note to cover my second week of absence.

Thankfully at that point my manager was still applying some common sense and flexibility. But if he wasn't, or it happened in today's toxic environment, an easy access appointment paid for by my employer + a fee of £20-£30ish for the writing of and issuing of the sick note would definitely cost less mentally and financially than the battle I would have otherwise when my only priority should be my health and wellbeing.

As much as I despise the idea of private healthcare becoming the default, given the current state of everything in the country, this experience has proven to be a perfectly acceptable middle ground for me.

[ArthurPewty]

I signed up for it, via the RM app, but haven't used it yet. As the OP says it's basically access to private GP's, physios etc FOC . The only drawback is that because the GP is private you have to pay for any prescriptions. Also I think only a limited number of physio sessions are free?

[crazyshrew]

I signed up for it, via the RM app, but haven't used it yet. As the OP says it's basically access to private GP's, physios etc FOC . The only drawback is that because the GP is private you have to pay for any prescriptions. Also I think only a limited number of physio sessions are free?

Yep, also to be aware of there is a greater risk adversity with private services...it's how they keep their performance statistics looking so good. Think about how no private hospital has an emergency of intensive care dept or a blood bank on site.

The Drs working for Help at Hand are limited by company policy so are not allowed to prescribe any "controlled" medication, things that would need regular reviews...think along the lines of the good painkillers or sedatives that are popular with people who don't necessarily have a clinical need for them

I have experienced the risk adversity with the Feeling First t Class mental health services that we were all being signposted to access a few years back. They wouldn't touch me with a barge pole....which did put me off the whole thing and I was quick to dismiss the service as completely useless and a pointless waste of time...just a poor attempt by RM to look like they are doing great things for their staff.

The reality is, It is great for the little niggles that can drag you down, and things that can be dealt with quickly and easily, and get you going again ASAP - that step or two up from asking a pharmacist and getting OTC advice or treatment .. leaving a little more capacity for those with a more complex or serious clinical need to get the excellent comprehensive care that the NHS can provide.

[BenacreNick]

Ask for Narproxin painkillers from your doctor - and an extra box as well just for good measure.