MEDICAL MATTERS

  • Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
  • Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
  • Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
  • It is a free resource that supplements the detailed information contained in the full range of literature that can be found in the website shop.

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Questions in the Category: Reasonable Adjustments

Functional Capacity Assessments and Evaluations

ME Essential Autumn 2023

I have been receiving regular payments over several years from an insurance-based Income Protection Policy. This comes as part of my employment package.

I also receive PIP benefit from the DWP – who accept that I have significant problems with both mobility and care. So I would have thought that this would be adequate on-going evidence of my disability.

The insurance company now want to send me for a functional capacity test to assess whether I am capable of working again. What will this involve?

Is this test a valid way of assessing capability for work if you have ME/CFS? And can I refuse to do so if I am not happy with the way I am going to be assessed?

Employment: Disclosing Medical Information

ME Essential Winter 2021

Having made a significant degree of improvement over the past year I am considering returning to some form of part-time or flexible employment that I can preferably do from home. But I’m apprehensive about disclosing the fact that I have ME to a future employer. Please could you explain what the legal position is here – especially if I am asked about any health problems at an interview.

Employment: Ill-Health Early Retirement

ME Essential Spring 2021

I am facing a big dilemma at work. I’m in my early fifties, have had ME for nearly seven years, and have managed to gradually return to part-time work. I normally enjoy my work but I’ve had real problems trying to obtain some reasonable modifications to the duties I perform. The occupational health department has been supportive but my employer has not been helpful. So I am now really struggling and considering whether I should consider taking early retirement on the grounds of permanent ill health. Is there any guidance you can offer on taking early retirement based on what I assume must be a situation that many other people with ME have to face at some point.

Charles Shepherd

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