Can My Employer Stop Me Having Surgery?

[xjxpx]

I was put on an urgent 2 week referral by the NHS to have some moles checked. I advised my employer of this but managed to schedule both appointments around work I then advised my line manager that they had found a cancerous mole and it needed removing, I was put on the urgent 2 week referral for surgery and told my manager that they advised me I would get little or in some instances no notice as the hospital could call me up and tell me to come in. Today I got my appointment for a weeks time but my manager said I can't go because they currently have 2 people booked off for annual leave... I advised it was an important appointment to which she replied "your appointment may be important to YOU but having resources in work is important for me" ... is this professional? I rang my surgery and asked for the appointment too be rescheduled but their is no space to move my appointment and I NEED to be seen in the two weeks. At the end of the day this is a medically nessacary appointment and surely my health is important as the mole could potential grow bigger and more mallicous (it is already very raised like a small tumour and black) can somebody please tell me I am within my rights to go to this appointment?

[xjxpx]

Guys, just thought I'd let you know somehow HR got wind of what was happening and everything has been approved, I have EVEN been given the day after off now too! I received an apology as well!

[naomi24]

Good. Quite right. I wish you well.

[mazie]

Excellent. And so you should have done (received an apology.) All the very best with the procedure. Let us know how it goes x

[Mamyalynne]

Thank goodness someone with common sense and decency got involved, good luck with the surgery and results too.

[Old_Geezer]

Great.
(First time I've heard of HR being useful rather than the problem !)

[chrissie1212]

What a disgraceful response from your Line Manager. I'm glad your HR Dept got involved and I hope your Line Manager was suitably reprimanded. Let's hope her cards are marked! Good luck for your procedure. Hope all goes well.

[Toorak]

Glad to hear it has been resolved to your satisfaction - good luck with the op