Medical Exemption from Wearing Seatbelt Post-Op

sarah_elton

My fiance has to have an operation, the nature of which means there's no way he'll want to wear a seatbelt on the way home the next day.

I found out online that a medical certificate exempting you from wearing a seatbelt is available that can be carried in case the police stop you.

Does anyone have experience asking hospital staff for one after an op? Given the sometimes lack of senior staff around on hospital wards, are we better off speaking to our GP about it before hand?

Because of the rarity of his condition, the op has to be done at St. George's in Tooting and we live in north Essex, so it's going to be around a two hour drive home with a good chunk of it through London where there's plenty of police around to stop us.

Sagaris

I think you will find it very difficult to find anyone to give you a medical exemption - as in theory if you had a crash on the way home and your fiance was injured, he could sue the person who gave him the exemption!

Have found some info here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/AdviceOnKeepingYourVehicle/DG_4022064

Guidelines here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/think_media/241045/241136/2009-exemptions.pdf

Good luck for his op too - hope all goes well.

sarah_elton

I'd found the guidelines but hadn't seen the other link, thanks.

It would only be for the day after the op to get home. After that he wouldn't go out by car until healed. The lap portion of a seatbelt will be right where his wound/stitches/swelling/bandaging will be.

Not sure if we get another meeting with his surgeon before the day - if we do I'll ask him about it as he must have had people raise it before...

Thanks for the best wishes.

Premier_2

Probably best to ask for an exemption certificate from your GP.

There is no risk of (successful) litigation against the GP, as the exemption is not an instruction to not wear a seat belt, but rather as it says, an exemption that you must wear one by law.

Where a request for an exemption certificate is refused, a clear reason must be given. You can always request a second opinion.

Note: there are no conditions that justify an automatic exemption.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/think_media/241045/241136/2009-exemptions.pdf

If you are successful in obtaining an exemption certificate, you may wish to think carefully about the mode of transport. The problem is that modern vehicles are fitted with airbags ... and with most vehicles these cannot be deactivated. However, they are only effective when used with seatbelts. In fact, if they deploy when a passenger is not wearing a seatbelt, the occupant could sustain serious injuries from the airbag deploying!

sarah_elton

Thanks Premier.

We haven't decided yet if I'll drive or we'll get a taxi. I think either way, he may well be more comfortable laying down across the back seat than sitting.

I know it's a big decision - going seatbelt-less is pretty scary. He'd be in the back of the car rather than the front but obviously that's bad for both him and the person in front of him in the event of an accident. If there's any way he can wear it and hold the lap part out in front of him then we'll do that. I'd just like to have a certificate if the doctor says we're eligible for one, just in case it's simply to painful to wear.

Our first thought was public transport but getting the crowded Northern Line halfway across London then getting through Liverpool Street station just isn't going to work.

hewhoisnotintheknow

sarah_elton wrote: »

If there's any way he can wear it and hold the lap part out in front of him then we'll do that.

Just do that and save all this agro?

Although holding it isnt going to help if you have a bump

Lil_Me_2

Hi Sarah, have you thought about using the Patient Transport Service? As I'd say you fiance is medically unfit to go by other transport I'd see if you can get an ambulance with a stretcher to get home. Means that he'd be securely strapped in for the journey albeit on a stretcher but it's much safer.