Section 6 Sick Pay and Medical Expenses

6.1 Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Guidance: SSP is payable from the 4th day of sickness up to a maximum of 28 weeks and is shown separately on pay/advice slips in order that the County Council can claim reimbursement.

The rate of SSP payable depends on the individuals average weekly earnings over the previous 8 weeks.

Basic pay is reduced by the amount of SSP paid, with 2 exceptions:

On bank holidays an individual in receipt of SSP shall have no deductions made from the basic pay.
Retained Firefighters have one day retaining fee deducted for each SSP paid, with the exception of bank holidays.

Periods of sickness occurring within 8 weeks of each other are linked for SSP purposes, with the first 3 days of each linked period attracting SSP.

Once SSP ceases (after 28 weeks) the individual should transfer to State Benefit and if salary is being paid it will be reduced by the amount of benefit.

Wholetime and Control Room staff (Grey Book) – A member of a brigade on authorised sick leave shall be entitled to full pay for six months in any one year period. Thereafter the fire authority may reduce pay to whatever level they consider appropriate in the circumstances subject to a maximum reduction to half pay for the first six months. ’Full pay’ shall mean an amount which, when added to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)and Incapacity Benefit receivable, is equivalent to the contractual earnings that would be paid during a period of normal earnings. A member of a brigade on authorised sick leave as a result of an illness or injury arising out of authorised duty shall be entitled to full pay for one year.

Non Uniformed staff – The period of payment for full and half pay will depend on the length of service, please refer to Green Book arrangements as detailed in the Contract of Employment.



Rate	as above
Applicable to	All
SAM ref	1-17-1, 1-17-2
Grey book ref	Sec. IV
Green book ref	Part 2.10

6.2 National Health Service Expenditure

Guidance: Wholetime members of the Service, whose duties include a liability to engage in fire fighting and whose continuous service commenced prior to 1 November 1994, will be reimbursed NHS expenditure in respect of prescriptions, dental services and provision of dental and optical appliances.

Individuals commencing service with HFRS on or after 1 November 1994 may only claim reimbursement of these charges if they arise directly from an illness or injury arising out of the execution of duty.

Rate: Where specialist treatment is recommended by the Occupational Health Physician and supported by the Personnel Manager, individuals will be given a standard letter requesting that the specialist invoices the Service directly. Payment will be made at NHS rates.

Dental

Individual incurring expenditure for private dental treatment should request a receipt quoting 'NHS equivalent charge' and signed by the dentist. Only the NHS equivalent portion will be reimbursed.

Optical

Eye tests can only be reimbursed if the individual first contact Occupational Health who will either carry out an eye test or arrange tests at a local optician.

Claims for expenditure on spectacles should be supported by receipts and reimbursement will be made up to a maximum of the approved rate. All claims must be previously authorised by Occupational Health Adviser/Physician before they can be processed and paid.

Claims may be made for the reimbursement of the cost of spectacles for use on the fire ground, see FSC 9/1996 para 10 - 13

Medical

Where prescribed medication can be obtained more cheaply ‘over the counter' personnel are encouraged to do so and submission of the doctors’ prescription and till receipt will be sufficient to justify payment.

Countersigning officers need to be sensitive to confidential information that may be apparent or shown on Doctor’s prescriptions or till receipts.

All claims must be submitted with the relevant receipts and will be paid subject to tax and NI deductions.

Retained Staff:

Medical

Where retained staff are injured on duty, reimbursement for medical treatment and fees may be made.

Optical aids on fireground

Retained staff requiring optical aids on the fireground should initially refer details to the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Department.

Rate



Eye and Eyesight Tests	see Appendix D
Spectacles Single Vision	see Appendix D
Spectacles Bifocals	see Appendix D
Dental Treatmentsee	see appendix D



Applicable to	W/T,DC FDS Retained
SAM ref	1-13
Grey book ref	Sec. IX para 11 para 18
Green book ref.

6.3 Optical Expenses Non Uniformed Staff

Guidance: Eye tests can only be reimbursed if the individual first contacts Occupational Health Department who will either carry out an eye test or arrange tests at a local optician.

Claims for expenditure on spectacles will only be reimbursed if they are solely for use with Display Screen Equipment. Claims should be supported by receipts and reimbursement will be made up to a maximum of the approved rate. All claims must be previously authorised by Occupational Health Adviser/Physician and line manager before they can be processed and paid.



Rate	see Appendix D Spectacles Single Vision up to £ 40.00 Spectacles Bifocals up to £55.00 Dental Treatment £325.00 maximum
Applicable to	NU, Control Room Staff
SAM ref	Grey book ref.
Green book ref	Part 2,4.