Cut Adrift Get your personalised plan →

What to Do After a Serious Diagnosis in the UK

A serious diagnosis arrives with an overwhelming number of questions about treatment, work, and money. Almost none of them need answering today. This guide covers the practical steps in roughly the order they tend to matter, so you can take them one at a time. If you'd rather have a plan built around your situation, answer a few questions and we'll build one around you →

First, get the picture clear

Your GP is your first point of contact and the gateway to NHS specialist care. If your GP suspects something serious, they can refer you to a consultant — either as a routine referral or, for conditions such as suspected cancer, on an urgent two-week-wait (2WW) pathway. Under the 2WW pathway you should be seen by a specialist within two weeks of your GP's referral.

Once you're under a consultant, ask them to write down your diagnosis, the proposed treatment plan, and the likely timeline. Ask who is coordinating your care — many conditions have a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or key worker assigned as your main contact between appointments. Write down their name and direct number.

You are entitled to a second opinion on the NHS. Ask your GP or consultant to arrange one; this is routine and won't cause offence. Where you can, take someone with you to appointments — a second set of ears is invaluable when you're absorbing difficult information. A written list of questions beforehand helps you use the time well.

For urgent medical advice when your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk.

Your work and Statutory Sick Pay

You decide what you tell your employer and when. You are not required to disclose the name of your diagnosis — only that you have a health condition affecting your ability to work, if and when you need to take time off or request changes to how you work.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid by your employer if you're an employee who earns at least the lower earnings limit (check gov.uk for the current weekly threshold), and you've been off sick for at least four consecutive days including non-working days. Self-employed people are not entitled to SSP. SSP is paid at a flat weekly rate — check gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay for the current amount, as it rises each April. You receive it for up to 28 weeks. The first three days of any sick absence are unpaid waiting days unless you've had a linked period of sickness within the previous eight weeks.

Many employers offer contractual sick pay above the statutory minimum — check your employment contract or speak to your HR department. Contractual sick pay often covers the waiting days and may pay your full salary for a period before reducing.

If your condition qualifies as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 — which applies to any physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out day-to-day activities — your employer is legally required to make reasonable adjustments. These can include modified duties, reduced hours, a phased return to work, or working from home. Put any agreed arrangements in writing. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) provides free guidance at acas.org.uk or on 0300 123 1100.

If you can't work — Universal Credit and ESA

When SSP ends, or if you were not eligible for it, you may be able to claim the following through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Claim as soon as you need to — Universal Credit and New Style ESA are not backdated to before your claim date in most circumstances. Citizens Advice can help you work out which benefits you're entitled to and support you through the application.

NHS care — what to expect

NHS treatment is free at the point of use for UK residents. Once referred, you'll receive care from an NHS trust — often a combination of hospital appointments, day treatment, and community or district nursing support at home.

Ask your care team about prescription charge exemption. People receiving certain cancer treatments qualify for a medical exemption certificate (MedEx), which covers all NHS prescriptions for free — not just those related to their cancer. Other serious conditions may also qualify. Ask your GP practice or check nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemptions. If you don't qualify for an exemption but take several regular prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) caps your cost at a flat quarterly or annual fee.

If you receive hospital treatment as an NHS inpatient, there is no charge. Day treatment and outpatient appointments are also free. Travel costs to NHS appointments may be reimbursable under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) if you're receiving a qualifying benefit — ask at your hospital's patient services office or check nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP helps meet the extra costs that come with a long-term health condition or disability. It is not means-tested, is not affected by whether you work, and is paid on top of any other income or benefits you receive.

PIP has two components — Daily Living (for difficulties with everyday tasks such as preparing food, washing, or managing medication) and Mobility (for difficulties getting around). Each component is paid at either a standard or enhanced rate. Check gov.uk/pip for current weekly rates, as they rise each April.

To be eligible you must be under State Pension age — currently 66 (if you are over State Pension age and have not previously claimed PIP, you would claim Attendance Allowance instead). You must have had your condition for at least three months and expect it to continue for at least nine more months.

To apply in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, call the PIP new claims line: 0800 917 2222. You'll be sent a PIP2 form to complete and may be invited to an assessment. Ask your consultant, specialist nurse, or GP for supporting medical evidence — a letter summarising your condition and how it affects you day to day is helpful.

In Scotland, PIP for new claimants has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), administered by Social Security Scotland. Apply online or by phone through mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment.

Your pension — state and workplace

If you have to stop working before State Pension age, your State Pension entitlement may still be protected. When you claim certain benefits — including New Style ESA and Universal Credit with a health addition — you are usually awarded NI credits that count towards your State Pension record in the same way that paid employment does. Confirm with DWP that credits are being applied to your record. You can view your NI record and check your State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension.

For your workplace pension, contact your employer's HR department or your pension scheme administrator to ask two things: whether the scheme includes death in service (life insurance) cover, and whether there are provisions for ill-health early retirement. Many defined benefit (final salary) schemes allow members to access pension income early on ill-health grounds, often with an enhanced benefit. The rules vary significantly between schemes, so request the details in writing.

If you have a private pension, you can generally access it from age 55 (rising to 57 in 2028). Drawing pension savings early has long-term income implications and may be subject to income tax. Take advice from a regulated independent financial adviser before doing so — check the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register at register.fca.org.uk to find an authorised adviser.

Check your insurance

Before doing anything else with your policies, do not cancel or change any cover while you're checking — some policies pay out on diagnosis itself, and cancelling a policy could forfeit an entitlement that already exists.

If you're unsure which policies you hold, check old payslips for group scheme or employer-arranged insurance deductions, and contact your HR department about any employer-provided cover. Check also with any previous employers' pension schemes, as life and disability cover is sometimes included by default.

If you have a dispute or complaint about how an insurer has handled your claim, you can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at financial-ombudsman.org.uk or on 0800 023 4567. FOS is free to use and can direct insurers to pay out where a claim has been wrongly rejected.

Sort the legal paperwork while you're well

Two documents are worth putting in place while you have capacity to make decisions. These aren't about expecting the worst — they're about keeping control in your own hands.

England and Wales

Both LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before they can be used. There is a registration fee per LPA — check gov.uk/power-of-attorney for the current amount. Reductions are available if you receive a means-tested benefit. You can apply online at gov.uk or download paper forms. It currently takes several weeks from application to registration; don't leave it too late.

Scotland

Both must be certified by a solicitor or other authorised person and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) at publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has a separate legal framework. An Enduring Power of Attorney covers financial and property affairs. For health and welfare decisions, provisions are made under the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. Contact the Office of Care and Protection through courtsni.gov.uk, or seek advice from a solicitor experienced in NI capacity law.

It is also worth making or updating your will, and considering whether to complete an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) — a legally binding document that specifies particular medical treatments you would refuse in particular future circumstances. Your GP or care team can advise on the process and any conditions that apply.

Support and who to contact

Work through your situation step by step with the diagnosis tool →

More United Kingdom diagnosis guides

Your work and income after a serious diagnosis → Financial help during serious illness → Making insurance claims after a diagnosis → Telling family, work and others about your diagnosis → All United Kingdom diagnosis guides →

This guide provides general information only — not legal, financial, medical, or benefits advice. Eligibility rules, payment rates, and thresholds change regularly. Verify current details with official sources such as gov.uk before making decisions. Information current as of June 2026.