GP Reports for Employers and Occupational Health

Sleepless123 · 23-08-2013, 08:41 PM

Hi all

i had a telephone call from my Manager today saying that they are referring me to Occupational Health cos ive now been off 4 weeks.

i am fine with that but they have sent me a referral form to sign and on it they have stated 'Would like a GP report'. i am not fine with that. Because i feel that a lot of what has gone on for me has been very personal and in recent weeks i have confided in my GP about trying to hurt myself [inside private places - though theres been blood come out on what i use and sometimes when i go to the toilet after im not sure ive actually created cuts and its not needed treatment though, my self harm never does] and in the mental health team about the plans i have been making the past few months or so for my death which involved buying meds off the internet without prescription and lying to private doctors to get meds i shouldnt have with the intent to OD on to take my own life. Obviously i dont really feel comfortable with all this being shared.

Do they have a right to request a GP report? Do i have to consent to this specifically for them to obtain it? i know i would get to see the OH report but would i get the chance to see any GP report sent to them?

Really panicking and ironically its making me feel more at risk than i was.i understand they are my employers but i almost feel like this would be violating my privacy [even if it isnt] which is important to me.

Thanks.

Stellata · 23-08-2013, 08:49 PM

You have to give your consent, I believe. And you can request to see it before it goes to OH. I literally wrote mine with my [previous] GP's help. She emailed it me and then we met again and redrafted. It didn't say very much at all really. She actually said "What do you want me to say?"
They will have to state your risk and vulnerability, though. But probably not specifics? I'm not 100% sure. I'd give Mind's legal advice line a call - though that'll have to wait until Tuesday now.

Sleepless123 · 23-08-2013, 08:54 PM

Thanks hun.Yeah i hate that this has come up now.All bank holiday weekend to worry about it when i already feel ive just about had enough to be honest.Thanks so much for replying and being so quick.Means a lot.xx

startingagain · 23-08-2013, 09:39 PM

You must remember to go to the GP to check it within a certain time limit (I can't remember how long) or they send it anyway. You can ask for it to be changed.

I had to have a medical report for a court case and even that just said 'childhood abuse of unspecified nature'. They did not go into any details beyond that.

Sleepless123 · 23-08-2013, 09:43 PM

startingagain - i presume they tell me when theyve written it then??

xx

Ballerina123 · 24-08-2013, 02:14 AM

I have had to have a few reports from my gp and mh team. They should ask you to check it before sending it. They don't go into great detail because there isn't really the space so don't worry too much.
But if they ask your gp does have to provide a report.

All the best x

startingagain · 24-08-2013, 08:37 AM

My GP never told me when he'd written his report, so I'd keep in touch with the surgery. OH will check how you are getting on and will be looking at how they can support you when you are able to return to work. Whilst you should be honest remember they do not have the same relationship as your doctor and work for your employer. They will write a report for them, which you can request a copy of.
You will be covered by the Equality Act, so they should be careful not to discriminate against you. I support people who have work issues related to MH within my profession and so if there are any problems I have a list of organisations that can help. I'm sure it will be fine though x

Sleepless123 · 01-09-2013, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the replies.

i saw my GP Wedensday to discuss Occupational Health possilbly requesting a GP report as my manager has put on the referral form to OH she would like them to and my GP said that she had received a letter from A and E saying 'Query - overdose' from when i was there so she said normally she would write that id taken an OD and was getting help.

But i explained that i hadnt actually taken an OD technically when an ambulance was called by mental health and i was taken to A and E.i accept i fell asleep and was sick etc but i had taken a very high dose by taking one of the specially made up capsules i had but not an overdose - i just wanted to see how easy they were to swallow.So i corrected her.

But she says even if she doesnt tell them about that she feels she would have to tell them i have been having suicidal thoughts recently as apparently this will be relevant to them.And obviously as she put it she cant lie but i would rather they didnt know. It feels personal etc and part of my distress that i dont want the world to know about

She did say i could see whatever is written before it is sent.

startingagain · 01-09-2013, 06:05 PM

The information does go to a nurse or doctor. Make sure that the letter is clear that you are receiving the appropriate support and whether they feel you are able to return at this time or if you need some more time. It must not say anything along the lines of them having no idea when you are fit to return as that could trigger absence proceedings.

Only a court can legally force disclosure of medical records, so if you are really not happy with the content or any amendments you can withdraw your permission. You could ring OH and find out what would happen if you did. If you are not in a union you can get advice from the human rights and equality commission.

talaiporia · 01-09-2013, 06:05 PM

I had an OH report written recently, and I was very upset as I knew the GP doing it would be the only one I didn't like on a staff of about 8-10, and the worst one for MH, but he knew what it was for, and was still very vague about things, only putting the key facts and then concluding with that I was stable and he thought I was fine. It was things like 'started taking [medication X] in October', and a list of key stuff like that, but omitting a couple of things I'd done that had been one-off blips that OH might have not taken so kindly to.

She'd probably say that you have been very unwell, that your risk level is high and she recommends you being off work for a while. She shouldn't be putting in specifics about your self harm, but she might mention you've OD'd recently. It's difficult for OH to make a decision about long-term sick leave without a GP backing it, as they know so little about you, it's easier to have someone else's judgement.

Sleepless123 · 01-09-2013, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the replies again.

Just so that people know as of tomorrow i am not going to be totally off sick.i am going back for 2 days a week (half my contracted hours) until at least November when this is reviewed again.

Talai - i still say i didnt OD! [even if i wasnt meant to be taking that medication in the first place what i took was not intended as an OD and was not above the dosage range!!]

xx xx

talaiporia · 01-09-2013, 06:24 PM

Well, it depends whether she thinks it was an OD. I'd be inclined to say as a) it landed you in A&E and b) you shouldn't be taking it, it probably was.

Just because it was below the maximum prescribed dose, doesn't make it safe for you to take.