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 Posting / Relocation


Innsworth Personnel


PHF FAQs

I have been given a reduced Medical Employment Standard (MES), does that mean I will be looked after by RAF PHF?
No, generally you will continue to work in your normal job within the limitations of your reduced medical category.

I have been given a non-effective MES, does that mean I will be looked after by RAF PHF?
Not necessarily. Once you have been made medically non-effective, the Chf Clk RAF PHF will review your case when requested to do so by PMA (Medical) and discuss it with your Chf Clk. If you reside within close proximity of your parent unit you will normally be placed on the non-effective strength of your unit. If not, then generally you will be placed on the non-effective strength of RAF PHF. However, every case is judged on its own merits and your specific circumstances are taken into consideration when the decision is taken to post you non-effective to either your parent unit or RAF PHF.

Who should I speak to if I have any queries on my pay and allowances whilst I am non-effective?
The unit on whose non-effective strength you are posted, ie your normal parent unit, or RAF PHF if you have been posted to the Innsworth non-effective strength will look after you administratively. From a budgetary point of view, all non-effective personnel are paid from the Air Secretary's budget.

I have been made non-effective, will I lose my post at my parent unit?
Usually yes. Once you have been posted non-effective your post becomes vacant and the RAF PMA may then arrange a replacement. However, if you regain a working MES quickly and there is a suitable vacancy on your unit then you may be posted back onto your parent unit's effective strength.

Will I get an area of choice for posting after a period of non-effectiveness?
Yes. If you have been posted to RAF PHF you will be asked to complete an Area of Choice form (RAF Form 5990) once you are fit enough to return to work. If you have been on your parent unit's non-effective strength the drafter will endeavour to post you back onto the unit's strength. Should this not be possible you may be asked to complete an Area of Choice form.

To what extent will I be looked after once I have been posted non-effective?
If you are posted to RAF PHF you will normally receive a home visit within 6 weeks of posting to the Flt. If you are still non-effective 12 months later, we will endeavour to pay you a second visit. If you are to be discharged from the Service you will receive a further visit to enable the discharge process to be completed. You will also receive a telephone call on a fortnightly basis. If you have Internet access you will receive copies of the RAF Innsworth SROs and Chf Clk's Bulletin on a regular basis. You will also receive a copy of the RAF PHF Quarterly Newsletter. If you are on your parent unit's non-effective strength you should be contacted on a regular basis as a minimum. However, communication is a 2 way matter and you should contact RAF PHF or your parent unit if you do not receive any communication for more than 2 weeks. You should always ensure that you provide RAF PHF or your parent unit with up to date contact telephone numbers and home address details.

Who will look after my medical needs whilst I am non-effective?
You may well be looked after by NHS doctors and hospitals, however, the Service medical system retains a requirement to be informed of your progress. If you are seeing a local GP you should be registered with the Practice as a Temporary Resident. You should still see a Service doctor at your nearest SMC on a monthly basis for a review.

How long can I remain non-effective?
Your non-effectiveness will be reviewed by a Service doctor on a 6 monthly basis, up to the 18 month point. Thereafter, you should be referred to the RAF Medical Board for consideration. There are 3 possible outcomes from this board:

a. You will be awarded a working MES and you will return to work within the limitations of your medical employment standard.

b. You will be recommended for an extension of your non-effectiveness up to the 24 month point in the hope that you will become fit for employment during that period.

c. You will be declared Unfit for Further Service and the discharge process will begin once it is approved and your mode of exit ascertained by RAF PMA.

Am I entitled to Disability Living Allowance?
You may well be. It is paid if you need help looking after yourself and getting around. It is paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you. Please consult the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website at www.dwp.gov.uk and follow the links for Benefits & Services A-Z. If you believe you are entitled to receive the allowance you should obtain a copy of the application form from your local social security office (look in your telephone directory for Benefits Agency, Jobcentre Plus or Social Security . You may call the Benefits Agency Helpline on 0800 882200 for advice. You may also wish to seek assistance from a SSAFA Personnel & Families Support Worker at your nearest RAF unit.

Can a member of my family receive Carer's Allowance?
Quite possibly. It is paid to someone who has to spend at least 35 hours a week looking after a person who is in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance, or War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance. Please consult the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website at www.dwp.gov.uk and follow the links for Benefits & Services A-Z. If you believe you are entitled to receive the allowance you should obtain a copy of the application form from your local social security office (look in your telephone directory for Benefits Agency, Jobcentre Plus or Social Security . You may call the Benefits Agency Helpline on 0800 882200 for advice. You may also wish to seek assistance from a SSAFA Personnel & Families Support Worker at your nearest RAF unit.

Can I still claim Disability Living Allowance if I am terminally ill?
Yes, there are special rules for people with a terminal illness to help them get DLA quickly and easily. Please consult the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website at www.dwp.gov.uk and follow the links for Benefits & Services A-Z. If you believe you are entitled to receive the allowance you should obtain a copy of the application form from your local social security office (look in your telephone directory for Benefits Agency, Jobcentre Plus or Social Security . You may call the Benefits Agency Helpline on 0800 882200 for advice. You may also wish to seek assistance from a SSAFA Personnel & Families Support Worker at your nearest RAF unit.

What happens if I am referred for an RAF Medical Board?
You will be required to sign a Data Collection Notice (DCN), which will give consent for the RAF Medical Services to have access to you personal medical folder (Fmed 4).

You will be required to complete some preliminary examinations prior to or on the day of your medical board. These include, blood pressure / pulse / hearing check / urine test etc...

You will be offered an opportunity to make a personal statement:

F MED 24 - MEDICAL BOARD PROCEEDINGS - PERSONAL STATEMENT
This form is used for recording the personal statement of an individual when a medical board has recommended discharge from the Service or has made a recommendation that the individual is unfit their branch or trade. The President or Member of the RAFMB is to act as witness for statements completed at the RAFMB. When completed following departure from the RAFMB, the witness is to be the SMO of the parent unit. If the individual has non-clinical complaints, the witness is to obtain consent from the individual to disclose this information to the Executive. This will enable the allegation(s) to be investigated. If the individual withholds consent, the witness is to annotate the F Med 24 accordingly.

What happens if I am made Unfit for Further Service?
Your case will be sent to RAF PMA (Medical) and Casework for boarding. This boarding process will assess your case and decide on your mode of exit. Once your parent unit is notified of your mode of exit we will inform you of the exit details and give you a provisional exit date. This date is likely to be some months hence. You will use up any remaining annual leave; take any resettlement due to you and then 20 working day's terminal leave.

What happens if I am invalided from the Service?
Your case will be passed to the Veterans Agency at Norcross, near Blackpool. A Welfare Officer from the War Pensions Welfare Service, who will become your point of contact after you leave the Service, will contact you. Your case will be reviewed by the Veterans Agency and they will decide on the amount that you will be paid as a War Pension. This process can take a few months or even longer if your is a complicated case. Payment of a War Pension will only commence when your case has been fully reviewed. The payments will be backdated the day following your Last Day of Paid Service in the RAF.

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