Driving license desirable?

GlasweJen

I've applied for a new job, it's band 4 in the NHS. I'm currently working in the same department on a different site at band 3.

The job mentions working between sites and states that a driving license is desirable, it's not listed as essential on the requirements grid.

I've now visited the other site and had an informal chat with the manager and a few of the band 4 and 5 staff and have found out that the job requires me to be in the main site some morning then get to other sites for afternoons or vice versa. I'd be on the main site for 7 half shifts and have 3 half shifts over 2 other sites, one is 6 miles south through the city centre and the other is north, about 5 miles from the main site.

I can't drive for medical reasons and the times just won't work with public transport so I'm not sure if I should proceed with the application or not. My SCN is off site in the main hospital and knows I've applied but advised me not to tell the nurse in charge on our site as she's been known to "turn" on staff members who want to progress in non-nursing roles so I'm wary about taking time off for an interview for this if I don't have a chance of getting it.

Does anyone know how the NHS would deal with this scenario? I could always get a taxi between the sites and I'm happy to do this be not sure if that's good enough?

Guest101

Can you afford taxis? The NHS doesn't (and shouldn't) reimburse that cost

sangie595

Guest101 wrote: »

Can you afford taxis? The NHS doesn't (and shouldn't) reimburse that cost

Why shouldn't it? If there is a disability then this may be deemed a reasonable adjustment. Lots of employers do it. Including some NHS employers. So the NHS does do it, at least in some places - and they also arrange the taxi!


Otherwise, Access to Work may be an option.

louisemichelle

I would perhaps contact recruitment in the first instance and see what the overall policy is. I went for a similar sounding role in NHSGGC last year before I finally got round to learning to drive, and it came up in the interview, I kind of got the impression that even taking public transport between sites wouldn't have been good enough- but in your case I would like to think they would have to make a reasonable adjustment. Good luck :-)

GlasweJen

There is a disability, I'm a paraplegic and suffer from black outs.

I used to have an access to work package but occupational health said I wouldn't need it in my new job (first NHS job) as they could provide everything I needed and had a lift share programme that I joined and it works well for my current site. The new site is across the road from my house.

I could afford 3 taxis a week on the new salary as I'd be going from part time to full time and up a band with no other travel costs and could go home for lunch so it would definitely be do-able.

Guest101

sangie595 wrote: »

Why shouldn't it? If there is a disability then this may be deemed a reasonable adjustment. Lots of employers do it. Including some NHS employers. So the NHS does do it, at least in some places - and they also arrange the taxi!


Otherwise, Access to Work may be an option.

Well I would argue that public transport is available.


Certainly I've not experienced the NHS doing this for commuting purposes. I suppose one could argue that as the location switch midway through the shift it's work related travel.

Guest101

GlasweJen wrote: »

There is a disability, I'm a paraplegic and suffer from black outs.

I used to have an access to work package but occupational health said I wouldn't need it in my new job (first NHS job) as they could provide everything I needed and had a lift share programme that I joined and it works well for my current site. The new site is across the road from my house.

I could afford 3 taxis a week on the new salary as I'd be going from part time to full time and up a band with no other travel costs and could go home for lunch so it would definitely be do-able.

Are slightly different to what I presumed, so apologies. Public transport may not be appropriate.

GlasweJen

louisemichelle wrote: »

I would perhaps contact recruitment in the first instance and see what the overall policy is. I went for a similar sounding role in NHSGGC last year before I finally got round to learning to drive, and it came up in the interview, I kind of got the impression that even taking public transport between sites wouldn't have been good enough- but in your case I would like to think they would have to make a reasonable adjustment. Good luck :-)

Recruitment couldn't answer the question, they said the usual "best person for the job would get it" and they base this on multiple factors then it's up to occupational health to sort out. Occupational health said they wouldn't comment on a job that I don't have as it's all to do with budgets and they would need to assess the environment?

suki1964

When I worked for the NHS in a non medical role many moons back, we were split over three sites and hospital transport took the staff back and forth or taxis were used on account

Check if there is hospital transport between the sites. Should be to collect samples, take patients notes etc Back in my day is was a mini bus and nurses, doctors and clerical staff all used it

sangie595

Guest101 wrote: »

I suppose one could argue that as the location switch midway through the shift it's work related travel.

I would definitely argue that! If the employer needs to shift the job from one site to another part way through the day then it is work related travel - unless they are saying that each site has totally separate jobs which may be combined but don't have to be.


This sort of thing is a common reasonable adjustment - and I assumed it would be a reasonable adjustment because anything that means someone can't drive for medical reasons would 99.9% be a disability!


Glaswegen - ignore everything. It has absolutely nothing to do with budgets. Seriously, something the size of the NHS thinks it could get away with saying it does not have the money? No way that will ever happen. If you want to progress your career, and you want this job to do it, then give it your all and get that job. There are enough barriers in the way of people with disabilities. It is the employers responsibility to sort out adjustments with you. It is your responsibility to prove that you are the best person for the job. If people with disabilities fail to apply for jobs because their disability may be a disadvantage, no disabled people would work. And then there would be no role models to help and support others.


Forget everything except being the best person for the job. That is all you need to prove.

louisemichelle

If it helps- NHSGGC policy:

"Reasonable adjustments for disabled members of staff will be made to eliminate disadvantage compared to other non disabled staff."


Surely that should apply if you are trying to further your career too. I think when I was asked it was a framed in a "Would you be comfortable working at different sites" kind of way as opposed to a direct "do you have a car and can you drive" . Post interview it becomes Occupational Health's responsibility to put reasonable adjustments in place.