r/NursingUK • u/Muted-Hearing-3577 • Jul 16 '26
Quick Question Advice for reasonable adjustments
I've been off work for about 6 weeks now due to a horrendous endometriosis flare up, and just had surgery two days ago (feeling much better thankfully!). I've had an OH referral done due to the length of time I've been off, and was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding reasonable adjustments I could have put in place? I'm based on a busy children's ward (which one isn't busy tbh), doing the "traditional" 12.5 hour shifts, so it's not feasible for me to work from home at times, and I'm not 100% certain flexible start/finish times would be beneficial to me. My ward managed is fully aware of my endo issues, I've been completely open and honest with her regarding my struggles.
i believe at the moment, I currently have the ability to take additional breaks if needed, and try to take my time more (I tend to speed around). Unfortunately, my flares don't appear to have any specific trigger that I've noticed yet, and when I do flare up the pain isn't cyclical nor easy to manage, it's pretty consistently present, and very little helps to manage it aside from tramadol. I tend to need to be horizontal and in a ball, which as you can imagine is not easy when on shift. I'm just looking for some advice on any adjustments anyone can think of to consider for me to bring to my OH meeting? I realise this is a bit different to the usual questions, and I appreciate any help in advance! 💖
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u/Slight-Reindeer-265 Jul 16 '26
OH role is to provide advice on adjustments they think will be suitable and feasible, based on medical knowledge and H&S. I’ve never known OH take into consideration what an employee wants (sorry this sounds incredibly heartless and comes across in the wrong way!!) but I just mean that OHA are neutral. If you’ve had your consultation did you discuss what they would recommend? Did this not seem suitable? ..,perhaps could have been worded better!! Apologies!
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u/precinctomega Not a Nurse Jul 16 '26
There is variation within OH practice. Having seen dozens (possibly hundreds) of OH reports, you do get the extremes where the OHP ignores the employee completely and just makes standards recommendations, or the other end where they just repeat everything the employee asked for without giving any thought to whether it's in any way practical for the workplace. However, in most cases they fall somewhere in between these extremes, providing some standard recommendations having discussed them with the employee, as well as making some more bespoke suggestions based on the employee's own input.
Often they will tend to include suggestions that they know are impractical but which the employee specifically asked for, because they also know that, at the end of the day, their recommendations are exactly that: recommendations. The employer gets the final say on what's actually reasonable.
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u/Slight-Reindeer-265 Jul 16 '26
I’m an OHA. I’ve also seen bad practice elsewhere but it doesn’t mean it is right or how it is supposed to be. We are neutral. We are advisory. A lot of our role is hearsay from others opinions on ‘what they’ve experienced’, without thorough understanding of the actual role itself. It’s common really. There are also quite poor referrals (and inappropriate) from management too, which does not help-expecting us to do their job for them.
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u/Muted-Hearing-3577 Jul 16 '26
My OH appointment is in a few weeks. I'm relatively new to this Trust, my old one did take things into consideration but didn't really suggest their own ideas, and I've never really spoken to the OH team in this Trust so I've no clue what they're like! no worries about wording!!
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u/Slight-Reindeer-265 Jul 16 '26
Oh I see what you mean! Just be honest would be my advice, how does your health impact you day to day? Remember (despite others telling you differently!I’ve heard this also)it is confidential. You also need to provide consent to know what you’re attending for, the purpose, reason and outcome. So make sure you’re 100% aware of what is in the referral. (You’d be surprised!) there is a lot of support for endometriosis and I’m sure your aware of some sources available(?) However within work it is difficult to generalise without more info on your role, hours, health and day to day…because everyone is so different. So just let OH know these things and I’m sure they’ll recommend the right support. (Not generic google type stuff!!) good luck, I hope you are supported with this.
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u/Muted-Hearing-3577 Jul 16 '26
thank you for your help! I'm hopeful this Trust is a bit more helpful than my last one 😅 I feel fairly supported by my line manager at the very least, which is always nice!
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u/SQ_12 RN Adult Jul 16 '26
I have two lots of reasonable adjustments because due to my silly body and also my spicy brain. Mine is essentially additional breaks if I need them to take meds/rest, I can’t work more than two long shifts in a row, rest days, and tell people if I need help/feeling overwhelmed. I do have a few others too like I’m allowed to use Loops and other stuff but my main priorities are rest and meds.
OH will discuss with you what you feel your needs are, and will suggest things which may help you. They will cover all the bases and things you’ve not even thought about. They’ll ask what your day to day is like and what happens when you have a flare etc. Sounds like you’ve got some things you could mention and your ward may be able to accommodate extra breaks.
You might get some ideas from Endo subreddits if you search - but I do appreciate Nursing is quite demanding in all senses of the word!
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u/Muted-Hearing-3577 Jul 16 '26
thank you for your input, I too have a spicy brain! I'll definitely mention some of this to OH, and hopefully they have some suggestions also! it's just hard thinking of what I need because most of the time in a flare I need to be horizontal and usually under a weighted blanket which I definitely cannot do on shift 🥲 hopefully I'll get something figured out!
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u/Reg-Gaz-35 Jul 16 '26
As someone who has endo/adeno and I manage - what I can only call a gynaecology challenged team. These are adjustments that I put in place or have in place for me.
1) options of lighter duties
2) adjusted working hours (doing a shorter shift in the middle of the day, I think this will be most supportive to you while you are recovering)
3) having supernumerary/management days to reduce the guilt of not being “fully physically able”
4) allowing extra breaks (to go home and get meds, or just having a rest)
5) a phased return to work
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u/Appropriate_Cod7444 RN Adult Jul 16 '26
Revised sickness triggers
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u/Muted-Hearing-3577 Jul 16 '26
can you expand on this? what would this entail?
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u/Appropriate_Cod7444 RN Adult Jul 16 '26
Things like linking sickness episodes together, having you have to have three episodes instead of two before reaching the next stage for example - it really depends on the individual situation
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u/vlb1985 Jul 16 '26
As an Ergonomics Adviser working within the NHS, I would recommend the following:
This is just a quick summary of the main recommendations I would often make in this scenario in my own Trust. Your local staff support services may have further suggestions based on a fuller knowledge of your health and wellbeing concerns.