i agree with sharon
you have exhausted all you can - you dont state if you have risk
assessed your duties at work to minimise issues only that the role
does not involve the use of the arm - i would make sure i seen the
place and noted this often there are associated psychological
difficulties with ULDs - he appears to have fears of reinjury this is
where it happened after all and the ongoing treatment and symptoms
are a reminder of this
i would get an OHP to see him give him the history your giving here
by perhaps also coinciding this with a work site visit and exam - i
would also make sure he has the appropriate qualifications to support
and rubber stamp his opinion regarding the issue and the workplace -
your specialist although brief is straight to the point
this has being going on a long time and i feel more now a management
issue they will need to deal with the findings once back
steph
On 22 May 2011, at 09:33, sharon naylor wrote:
> The simple answer is that it seems to me that you have addressed
> the clinical issues and have answered the questions that you have
> been asked. The harsh truth is that if the company decide to
> terminate his contract and this upsets him, and indeed if he sues
> them for personal injury it quite simply is between them
>
> However - it would be useful to know what he actually is meant to
> do at work, and what restrictions are available and over what
> duration of time. These types of injuries are painful and can be
> slow to resolve but have to say that I have people working (with
> restrictions) with significent shoulder problems - might be a
> ontroversial point but a lot depends on how motivated the
> individual is
>
> On another tack chronic pain and its associated psychological
> responses can be very debilitataing, particularly if the focus of
> his anxieties is work (and he is carrying on singing). I work with
> lots of people who are more debilitataed by the fear of pain than
> the pain itself, and thus limit their activity. There are talking
> therapies that are very good at limiting the impcat of chronic pain
> and increasing activities (eg CBT) and it may the worth the company
> considering funding this , it may just work and in any event will
> mitigate when it comes to compensation
>
> With regards to OHP referral - that rather depends on what the
> employers normal practices/procedures are
>
> > Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 09:03:23 +0100
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Adice re long turn sickness please
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Good Morning
> >
> > Please can I have any advice.
> > I have a gentleman - an inherited long term absence aged 50. Fell
> at work 2 years ago. Rotary cuff injury - required surgery when did
> not improve. Three attenps back to work in a light duty role all
> episodes short lived. and 6 weeks ago returned again following
> cortizone injection into joint. GP has adivsed tooo soon for
> another injection. The role did not require him to use his left arm
> at all. Three weeks later he went off sick stating that the pain in
> his shoulder was too bad to work. The GP reportedly feels that the
> effects of the injection has worn off. Recent MRI scan shows tear
> to the bicep tendon and spurs in the joint - further surgery may be
> required to resolve this. Specialist assessment pending.
> > This gentleman manages ADLS but reportedly in his own time - very
> slow and rests frequently. However he also is a semi professional
> singer and continues with his shows as says his wife carries the
> equipment and he does not require the shoulder to sing! On
> examination keeps arm close to him in a guarded way - dificulty
> putting coat on and off - very limited movement.
> >
> > Work are now considering ending his contract. In my last report I
> have said that given his history he is unlikely to be fit to return
> to work unles future treatment is sucessful i.e surgery and
> therefore he is likely to remain off for several months. I do not
> have a OHP and when considering referral on an ad hoc basis I am
> not sure how much more information the Busienss will be furnished
> with. Do you think OHP referral should be sought as it is likely
> this gentleman is going to lose his job. A report from his
> specilaist states that his treatment is ongoing and therefore no
> further information can be given. The specilaist appologised in the
> letter for the lack of information he could give appart from
> diagnosis and that further surgery may be required and that
> shoudler surgery is known to take along recovery .It was the
> smallest report i have ever seen althought the standard questions
> were asked. The employee strongly believes that the Busienss is at
> fault and the fall has made him half the man he was - He is
> claiming significant costs. He says he wants to come back to work
> and that he will be upset if the Business end his contract. Sick
> pay has not run out. He has a further one month sickness. Any
> comments would be appreciated.
> >
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