Hi,
I’ve no idea where I can get info on going back to work about my queries.
My job is a hospital cleaner I’ve no idea how safe it on using chemicals & having past treatment for cancer.
I’m pretty sure I can do light duty to begin with but then after that I think it’s pretty much back to normal cleaning.
Be put in hospital offices.
Can’t be relocated as there isn’t any where for me to go,.
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I was in constant contact with my employer through out treatment would speak to my Occupational Health Nurse from the company every other month or so who would pretty much assess where I was at.
I then spoke to my GP who was doing my sicknotes for me about a fitnote which they did with amended duties.
I returned to work in January this year after having 9 months off for surgery and chemo. But actually had radiotherapy March but used holiday to cover it.
Im not sure how much all that information will help so ill Link the Macmillan page about work below and hope that replying will bump your post to enable more people to reply to you 
Hope you’re doing well.
All the best 
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Ah I had no idea I could speak to occupational health all through my treatment, I was a bit of a state it was through covid at the same time I assumed covid & cancer don’t mix so just handed in sick notes,
I have not yet spoke to them yet,
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Oh bless you - so unfair to be struggling with cancer and Covid together .
I also work for the NHS - your manager should refer you to Occupational Health but you will need to contact them and let them know what’s going on. OH can be in touch with you throughout and there should be services such as counselling that you should be able to access.
When you’re ready to go back to work you should be offered a phased return ( start back on full pay but reduced hours ) and you should also be eligible for what is termed reasonable adjustments. They should do a risk assessment with you.
As part of that cleaning products etc. should be discussed but by law a datasheet on every product that is in use should be available plus protective equipment if needed.
Hope that’s helpful
Joanne
You could try “working with cancer” . Google it .they have been a fantastic support for me
Hello @Be
Get referred to the Occupational Health (OH) department - they know how to support your return to work, recommending light duties, reduced hours to ease you back. They will know all about chemical hazards in work.
Your employer will be advised by OH to undertake COSHH health & safety risk assessments of the cleaning chemicals/exposure etc and the use of PPE, as required.
You don’t have to look any further if you get referred to them. Are you a contractor or directly employed by the NHS? You will still be entitled to the referral but just check.
Good Luck and All the best for your return to work. Take it easy in the first few weeks especially after prolonged absence, it can be overwhelming.
Haven’t been referred yet, they wanted me to go back every now and then to ease me into the place before they refer me, to chat to me to see how I’m getting on.
They decided where I could work, then said what about coming back few months time, before I even said I would go back . thought they were referring me to occupational health, but I went in someone else asked me another higher up person, do you want to come back , I said yes.
It’s all a boy of a mess.
I’ve got chronic fatigue, sensitive hands from chemo, poor concentration issues.
I’m struggling, I feel like it’s too soon.
They already spoke about giving me reduced hours,
I’m getting stressed out.
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From personal experience being on long term sick - the worrying about it and the worrying about the process is pretty stressful in itself . The idea of coming in and seeing / speaking to people I think is meant to help keep you in touch and make it less stressful when you come back but if you aren’t ready to see people and talk it can just make you feel more stressed.
They may mean well but my feeling is that there’s a lot going on with you and that you would probably benefit from an OH assessment . You do need to make it clear what you’re suffering from - Covid is probably easier to talk about than cancer but you need to make sure they have the whole picture and understand what you are dealing with . Supposedly everyone who is off sick gets treated the same but I’ve found that when it comes to cancer people are inclined to be more sympathetic.
MacMillan can help with employment / employment law etc. The page in Kirstie F. s post above might be a good place to start .
Joanne
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Thanks, I’ve been off for 2 years, I’ve already said yes to occupational health assessment & they haven’t put it through,I’ve never had one, they are not aware I’ve been been ill, I told my doctor I was waiting for one, but it’s not happening.
I went in recently again, felt ganged up on, they don’t want to help ,it’s supposed to be a chat and tea but feels like it turns into a meeting & I’m on my own.
It’s not going well right now,
I’m speaking to my breast care nurse this week,
Some places might be more wanting to help but I’m not getting that .
Hi again Be
Try using the search icon at the top of the page and search for work / working / finance . There are other threads on here with info that might be of help. Don’t know if you’re in a union but now might be a good time to contact them if you are .
Take care
Joanne x
Im so sorry things are proving difficult in regards to your return to work.
If possible are you able to bring anyone with you for these meetings at work? Even if its another colleague?
Id definitely give Macmillans page a read about your rights and prehaps this link below for your employer to help them understand how best to support your return to work?
You can contact the Work Support Service using the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00 .
Our work support advisers are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
I hope things start to look up for you in regards to work and otherwise your keeping as well as can be.
All the best 
I’m so sorry your line managers have been so unsupportive . I’ve had cancer twice and other long- term health issues , I used to work for a large County Council .I found each time I returned that people very quickly forgot what I had been through and expected me to just get on with things . OH can be very helpful but access to this can take time and it sounds like you are having to make some decisions soon. Don’t be pressured into saying yes to something you feel is unrealistic if you have to go off sick again neither you nor your employer will gain from that . I found it helped to come with a proposal myself as to what I thought would manageable for me , starting with v limited hours for a few weeks then reviewing this with manager before going onto next step. Make it very clear to them that physically and mentally you are still struggling and you haven’t finished treatment , I know it’s hard to do that when you are feeling vulnerable .Could you maybe send an email / letter to your immediate supervisor expressing your current situation and proposing what you feel is manageable ? If they are not agreeable say you would like an OH opinion before proceeding any further , you will find OH often proposes far less than you would have done yourself . Best wishes Jill
Hey,
Had occupational assessment, not fit for cleaning , supposed to have 3 months review.
Said about redeployment, in admin.
Issues I have our I’m still unfit for work from doctor, got mental health problems, weird spinning sensations/ pressure in my ears, can barely type this .
Can’t watch TV / or read a book , can’t concentrate for very long ,
I don’t get why I’m taking along time to get better, every thing I read, people are going back to work, or out doing things.
Got a meeting at work to discuss options, so no 3 months review I guess,
One of my options is agreed dismissal,
Hi again Be
Sorry to hear that you haven’t been able to get this resolved . Sounds like you may have some kind of vertigo which could be stress related but if this is a relatively new symptom it might be worth getting checked out by your GP.
Quite a few years ago I had labyrinthitis ( infection/ inflammation of the inner ear ) apologies if you already knew that ). I had dizziness , feeling sick , poor balance etc. I couldn’t read either. I was told I should be able to get over it in 6 weeks but it was a good 6 months.
I also had some mental health problems at the time - I had some counselling , she diagnosed me with burnout . It did seem to help my physical recovery as well and I also had other complementary therapies .
There may be some free therapies in your area available and MacMillan offer free counseling sessions for people who have had cancer.
I know how hard it is to feel like everyone is striding ahead with their lives and feeling like you’re being left behind .
Take care
Joanne. X
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Hi Jill, I was really interested in reading your post especially as you commented about working for County Council. I had BC triple Positive Jan 2021, had chemo, surgery, radio you name it ive had it. Im now having zoladex & letrozole but recently have felt extremely unwell, agonising bone pain, fatigue however i got promoted (should have kept with my heart feeling) poison goblet. I have had a considerable amount of pressure on me, no support, line manager from hell, tried to speak to her, not interested in fact was verbally abusive, it has been so bad i have asked for transfer & downgrade, not happening want me to do courses, mediation. To be honest quality of live mentally & physically is worse then going through chemotherapy. Spoke to oncologist who are going to try me on different drug. I can’t seem to find out what my rights are, people are telling me to get signed off sick but that really is my last point of call. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you