Question 1

What will the IHR appeal report include?

Accepted Answer

A report from our consultant occupational physician will include:Details of evidence consideredAspects of your job activities that are relevant to IHR appeal considerationsAn overview of your health conditions, their likely prognosis and combined effect on functional capacity and future employability.Brief description of our approach to the IHR assessmentAnalysis of the report from the scheme medical advisor (or your pension scheme administrator) that you are disputingApplication of the specific IHR criteria and pension scheme rulesRecommendations on your IHR appeal

Question 2

Is a report from us likely to be more valuable than a report from a hospital specialist?

Accepted Answer

If you want to appeal against an outcome of your ill-health retirement (IHR) application, generally, there is a requirement to submit additional relevant medical evidence to support the appeal. Depending on the nature of your medical condition(s), a report from a hospital specialist or psychiatrist can provide more information on your health and prognosis of recovery, but the specialist is unlikely to have knowledge of the pension scheme rules or an understanding of how IHR applications are assessed. A hospital specialist or psychiatrist report is less likely to address the combined effect of your health conditions on your functional capacity and future employability until your normal pension age.  Given the knowledge and experience of our consultant occupational physician of IHR assessments and appeal processes, our report will cover not only the combined effect of your health conditions on your capacity but also will apply that information to the IHR criteria, analyse the earlier IHR outcome report and provide clear and specific recommendations on your appeal application. Such a comprehensive report is likely to be more valuable and may strengthen or support your appeal. Moreover, your employer and pension scheme administrator are likely to give more weight to a consultant occupational physician's report than to a hospital specialist's report in matters related to employment.

Question 3

Why is the professional fee for our services higher than that for a standard occupational physician report? (copy)

Accepted Answer

There is a significant distinction between a standard Occupational Health (OH) assessment conducted by your employer's OH physician and an independent assessment undertaken by us in connection with ill-health retirement (IHR) or appeals. Our assessments are carried out by a highly experienced Consultant Occupational Physician who is a Fellow (FFOM) of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and has extensive expertise across a wide range of OH and IHR matters as well as relevant ethical and legal aspects. Drawing on this specialist knowledge, we undertake a thorough and critical review of all available evidence, including relevant medical records and any report issued by your employer or pension scheme administrator declining your IHR application. Following a detailed consultation, we evaluate the evidence against the specific requirements of the relevant pension scheme regulations and criteria. We then prepare a comprehensive, independent report that provides a clear, evidence-based opinion and recommendations on your IHR or IHR appeal application.

Expert Occupational Physician Service

NHS Pensions: Appeal against the Ill-Health Retirement Decision

Frequently asked questions