Hi all, I could really do with some objective advice!
Here's my situation: I've been writing up my thesis over quite some time due to sporadic periods of absence regarding health concerns. My most recent deadline lapsed during a period of ill-health (exasperated by the writing-up process) and in applying for a retrospective extension the university have refused unless I provide further medical evidence, which is absolutely understandable. However, I have come to realise that the core issue lies with my supervisor. I have sent him in excess of 100,000 words of writing over a period of 14 months and received no comment or feedback on any of it. I've been soldiering on regardless, and only recently come to terms with how tough I'm finding finalising the project without direction (for all the usual reasons: 'I should be able to do this by myself,' 'he's probably just really busy,' 'I'm a nuisance,' 'my work probably isn't good enough for him to bother.'). I've asked for his help, even begged on occasion, with no response, sometimes for months at a time.
I had been friendly with my supervisor before my health issues surfaced and I'm reticent about filing a complaint against him, which is further fueled by my own insecurities and also a sense of responsibility for not addressing the issue earlier. Oh, and he's the head of the department which somewhat complicates matters! I could easily provide the medical documentation that the university are asking for, but I feel strongly that the issues with my supervisor won't be resolved if I take the 'easy' way out of the administrative situation.
Any advice would be warmly welcomed as I'm feeling somewhat stranded & really can't tell if I have a case for complaint, or even if complaining will resolve anything anyway. Thanks for listening.

Do you still see your supervisor? With your previous good relationship with him, is it possible to have a meeting with him to agree on a plan of how to proceed? (eg an agreement about arrangements and timescales for handing in further work and getting feedback). I'm just wondering if he would respond if you appear to be taking control and organising your remaining time. If it's unworkable with him, do you have a second supervisor who may be able to help? Your situation sounds very frustrating, but in your shoes I would probably focus on getting things on to a more positive footing and getting finished, because it's your PhD that's at stake. If the uni is requesting medical documentation, I would honestly provide that too, so that you haven't breached any agreements.

Hi chickpea, thanks so much for responding so fast. I've had multiple polite conversations on the issue with him before & nothing ever changes. When action is agreed upon I fulfill my end (admittedly, I've often been tardy) but he has never upheld his, nor commented on the work sent (each time I chase him I get an 'I'll get back to you soon' response, followed by further silence.)
I've not been informed about my 2nd supervisor or their role, but I'll chase that up & see if they have advice - thanks for suggesting it. I'm getting the medical stuff together, but not really willing to pay the extension fees before knowing whether this situation will be resolved - do you think that's reasonable, or am I just making a rod for my own back?! I've lost ALL perspective on this issue now & have no idea whether I've got any legs to stand on.

Has the uni told you that you need to pay extension fees? I'm not sure how these things work when you have medical documentation. In your position, I would be trying to open up conversations with everyone who can possibly help you get things on track - university admin, the dreaded supervisor, second supervisor if you have one. I think you're going to have to be very proactive in getting them all on side and showing them that you want to get the situation resolved. I can hear that the whole thing has left you feeling very insecure, but I'd try to take a positive approach with everyone at this stage. If you've handed in 100,000 words already, that's a load of work you've done - grit your teeth and do whatever you can to get to the end!

Hi dutchcedar,

What a horrible situation! I'm actually quite shocked that your supervisors are not providing feedback on your work. As you are in the last stages of your thesis, your supervisors should be taking the time to read through your work and provide suggestions/comments on improvements.

Have you put your thesis together as one coherent piece? My supervisors had me put everything together as it would appear for examination, then read through that draft and provided a bulk of suggestions and improvements. They did this for my second draft of the full thesis as well.

I would agree with chickpea's suggestions and also seek guidance from postgraduate student services regarding your rights and your options.