Here's the thing, I had an emergency ileostomy in October 2010 but had been too ill to work since September and as a result, lost my new job. Because I was so ill and had lost so much weight, it's taking me a long time to recover. I still have UC in my remaining colon which I am waiting to have removed. This has gotten worse since my azathioprine was stopped to be ready for surgery. I have been on ESA and failed my ATOS medical (apparently I was too optimistic, honest, and proud according to a benefits advisor after the medical!) so was advised I was no longer entitled to ESA and had to claim Jobseeker's Allowance at the beginning of May. At my medical, I provided evidence of an appointment for a J-Pouch reversal in June; this was ignored. I now have to go to a tribunal to appeal the decision. I don't know how I can declare myself available to work when I am still ill and when I am facing 2 major surgeries again. Yesterday, my operation was canceled for the 3rd time and rescheduled for the end of August now. It is not my fault this keeps happening - believe me, I would rather it didn't. I really don't know where this leaves me regarding my appeal and I don't know what to do to get it through to these people that if I was well enough to work and available to work, I would, but I really can't. I'm so upset and stressed out by this and I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall. Has anyone else had to deal with this? Any helpful suggestions?
Sorry for your trouble. I'm in Ohio, USA, and my doctor put me on disability. Try and talk to yours and see if they will help you out. Good luck.
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My doctor has signed me off work and, as far as he is concerned, I am not fit for work. My consultant and surgeon have told me I should concentrate on getting better, regaining my weight, and being fit for surgery, which I have made the DWP aware of. But as far as they are concerned, the professional opinions of those closest to my medical situation account for nothing, it would seem. Our government bureaucracy doesn't seem to be able to function outside the parameters of a tick box, and there is no room for compassion or common sense.
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Believe me when I say that the exact thing happened to me. I had an emergency ileostomy last July, I passed a medical a few months later although still unfit for work. I also had new dates for my reversal which got ignored. Sick notes from my doctors were also ignored and in total I lost around 12 weeks ESA over Christmas. I had to appeal against the decision to stop the ESA and it wasn't long before I got a phone call from a guy dealing with it. It took all of around 5 minutes to explain the entire situation and a couple of weeks later I received a nice big payment from them for the 12 weeks I'd missed.
You need to get a doctor's certificate to declare that for the time being you have been unable to work due to recovering from an operation, and also that you have upcoming operations. This can cover you for an operation anywhere up to 3 months in the future. Also, get angry with the hospital. They aren't allowed to cancel your operation 3 times unless it's exceptional circumstances, and even then they have to book it back in for as soon as possible.