To straighten up and chisel away all the mess that was made when I was attacked on Good Friday. When I left the Hallamshire Hospital I was told to make an appointment at my GP on Monday to remove the stitches. I phoned the GP the next day only to be told they don't do that and was given the number for the district nurse. The district nurse offered me an appointment in the middle of the day. I don't have any holidays left. I haven't been on holiday. I've used all my holiday entitlement for the year on hospital appointments for this face thing. I can't make another appointment miles from work in the middle of the day. District nurse offered no alternative other than to go back to speak to my GP. I went in to the GP, explained the situation and was met with a shrug of the shoulders - we don't take out sutures. I asked what I was supposed to do. Another shrug of the shoulders. I phoned the hospital. They gave me the number for the district nurse, no alternative offered. I've just phoned 111. I was told I will receive a ring back within 3 working days. "I need the stitches out tomorrow mate, I explained that." Well you're in a queue sir, you'll hear back within 3 working days." If the stitches were in my arm or leg or wherever I'd take them out myself, but they're in my ******* face. What am I supposed to do? I was told if I turned up at A&E they wouldn't do it.
Go to A&E and don't say anything about all the issues etc and say the stitches are very painful and there due to be taken out but the pain is too much (maybe some kind of infection inside) just make something up and they will take them out. It's lying but what else can ya do
This is actually more of a work issue mate. You should be allowed to take emergency leave from work to have the care you need. If you haven’t got any holidays left then you should be able to have unpaid leave. If you worked for me, I would let you have the treatment and pay you, it’s called leadership and if you are even having to question this with your employer, it means they are ****.
I’m not sure how approachable your work is but they may be willing to let you have the day paid as it’s surgery. You could always ask them, they may surprise you. Is it anything where you could make up the extra time or swap shifts with someone?
Echo totally Nutkins' take on this. Although the intransigence of the system you've encountered is not unknown
Couldnt you do a few hours overtime and then finish early or start late one day? Sure district nurses visit different doctors on certain days. Be just like a docs appointment. May even work in the evening on some days.
I like my employers. September is by far our busiest period. No one is given leave during the month, it's in all our contracts. I was given two days off for the surgery. I don't want to be asking for more time off during this period, putting extra pressure on other staff, I was hoping for a way round that.
This won't solve your immediate issue, but as an aside does the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board still exist?
Where is work? Could you try contacting the gps near work and see if they have someone that can do it for you? That way you might only need an hour instead of all day...
But sometimes mate, situations mean an employer has to go above and beyond for a valued employee. The place won’t close down because you aren’t there for a couple of hours. You’ve got stitches in your face, you aren’t taking the piss. Like I said if it was me, I’d give you the time to do what you need to do. I know then when I need something you’ll pay me back in kind, you’ll remember the time I helped you out when you needed me most. It’s shortsighted of your employer to think otherwise. I’ll leave it there though now, I don’t want to intentionally bad mouth your employer without knowing the full story and how supportive they are etc.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_Injuries_Compensation_Authority Could be worth getting some information from them.
I’m not sure there is a way. If GPs don’t do it and the district nurse only had day time appointments then the only other way is private which won’t be an option with the money situation. I understand why you don’t want to let them down, I’d be exactly the same, but this is important and they’ll forgive you. Get the stitches out and be extra nice to everyone for a while, emergencies happen and everyone just has to pull together. You wouldn’t begrudge anyone else it so don’t put your own importance below what you’d allow for anyone else.
I haven't asked, I was hoping I wouldn't have to. They have been supportive. Was wanting to pay that back by not having more time off just for some stitches removed.
I get ya mate, I really do. I’m not meaning to be harsh but sometimes things happen and work has to be understanding. I’ll leave it now out of the respect I have for you. It’s your choice to make obviously. I hope you can work it out.
I'm not saying 100% they won't but if they're carrying out any procedure they would need to document it and it's unlikely they would do that without your patient records if they're based at a different surgery. I'm glad your work is supportive and completely understand your concerns re taking time off but this is important and needs sorting. Also echo someone mentioning criminal injuries compensation. Can remember an old work colleague getting a broken nose a few years back and she got quite a hefty fee from them for it. Might help ease some finance issues too