Hi to all
Myname is lynne had a stroke 3 years ago. I went back to work after 6 months and thought that I was doing okay.
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Sorry I have posted an unfinished post. As I 2as saying returned to work and was doing okay.
3 years later I have given up. I don’t know if I can medically retire because of memory but my workplace say it is impacting my work.
I am sick of fighting to keep my job so I am walking away. Anyone know what my chances of getting nhs pension early?
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Hi @LynneT sorry to hear you are struggling with work. It is so tough going back and maintaining a fast paced job after a stroke.
My advice re finishing work is not to walk away but to let them either medically retire or medically dismiss you. You can, I believe apply for medical retirement yourself & I would suggest you have nothing to lose. You don’t say how old you are but I imagine this will play a part in any decision to get medical retirement. I believe they work out the likelihood that you can/can’t work again and use that as part of the decision making criteria. The younger you are the greater the possibility that things might improve and you’d be able to return to work. I would add I am not an expert on this so you need to read up the pension rules that apply for your particular scheme.
I would also advise seeking help from a TU rep if you have one and ACAS too. Your employer should be making adjustments to help you. If you just walk away you will not be able to claim benefits (assuming you’d be entitled) for a period of time. I am a civil servant and the rules where I work say if you are medically dismissed then you get a compensation payout. In the NHS you may have something similar.
As I’ve said please seek advice before deciding to walk away. You can always take some sick leave whilst you work out your options.
Best wishes
Ann
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Hi Anne
Thanks for your response, I am 62 in may x
I will contact acas.
Lynne T county durham
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Hi @LynneT
I’ll merge both of your topics together for you.
I’m sorry you’re going through a difficult time with work. As @Mrs5K has mentioned, ACAS could be of help for you. Also you may want to try giving our Stroke Support Helpline:0303 3033 100 a call, they may be able to give some advice on this too.
Anna
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Lynne - I am sorry you have had difficulties after returning to work and I applaud the effort you have put in 
You have tried hard for three years to work and fought very hard which is to be commended.
I note it is your employer who is saying it is impacting your work and so it’s not as if you are quitting on your own accord. I am guessing the employer has tried to help you to return to work as much as they can as they are obliged to do but feel they can offer you no more?
I am guessing the nature of your job is such that they cannot allow you to carry on as you are due to how it impacts your ability to do your job. I would therefore guess that it’s almost as if they are medically retiring you as they are saying that you are unable to carry on as they would like.
With no experience of this, all I can do is speculate as above. Ann @Mrs5K has given some excellent advice and I am sure the unions or even your HR will be able to help you.
I wish you all the best and I feel certain based on what you have said, you will get the outcome you desire.
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@LynneT You would have to check with your companies HR or Citizens advice. I understand how you feel and it is a lot for stroke survivors to return to work. I struggle everyday. I wish you good luck. Have you worked in your company for many years?
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@LynneT ,how about speaking to the DWP? Maybe they can help you out. Especially if your financially struggling. Also, if you are part of a workers union, speak to a representative. They could help you with a few options.
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Hi Lynn. Sorry to hear you are having a hard time, but please don’t just walk away. You are entitled to have an occupational health review with a NHS affiliated doctor and you can discuss your situation with them . I’m 67 now but was only 49 when I was retired from the NHS on ill health grounds and when I was seen there was a two tier options system. The dr would discuss further with you. One was that you were too ill to work in the NHS still but could work elsewhere, the other option was that I fully retired through ill health. Unfortunately in the end it was decided for me that I was too ill to carry on working, so I fully retired. I do get my NHS pension.
I don’t know if you are medical staff or admin. I was admin but my boss made life difficult for me by moving my workplace 14 miles away from my original workplace and putting me in an office 2 floors up! So I do understand. HR and my boss didn’t tell me that they planned to just “terminate” my role and I would have just left, but I fought them and finally got the drs review and retirement package that I was due. So I know its tough when you’re ill and the hassle is hard, but it is your entitlement so please bear with it. I had my stroke 19 months ago on top of everything else I have wrong, but keep positive, and I will admit thing may have changed in the NHS since I left, but I wish you well and you’ll get lots of good advice and support from the group 
. Take care and fight on !
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Hi Lynne.
I am sorry it sounds like you feel you have tried but are at the point of giving up. I took ill health retirement from the NHS (clinical role) but never returned to work. My cognitive difficulties (especially memory but other issues also) are the main reasons I could not do either of the roles I was qualified to do. I was very grateful to have essential help from the Union rep
The process I went through took place in 2022 when I was 51, a year after my stroke. It was difficult but ultimately a huge relief when it was agreed.
Feel free to message me privately.
Julia
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@Sue22 Great advice. Have a great day 
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Thanks for your ongoing support x
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Aww thanks julia. I may do that. I am hoping to get ill health retirement as i am not going back x
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Hi irene
About 20 years x
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