Grassed up to the DVLA?

Mojisola

Robisere wrote: »

" In fact, my own consultant was the one pushing me to drive. i told him I'd be afraid of it being epileptic, but he encouraged me by telling me a lot of lorry drivers have epilepsy... "

Really? A consultant who would have been that indiscreet? I have to go all Victor Meldrew on you there. Lorry drivers with epilepsy? I don't think so.

If someone has been seizure-free for 10 years without any medication, can they be said to be epileptic?

"Group 2 licences
Also called a 'vocational licence', this group includes large goods vehicles (LGV or lorries), passenger carrying vehicles (PCV or buses and minibuses with nine seats or more) and horse boxes. You must meet all normal driving requirements and must have been seizure-free, without anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), for the last 10 years. The DVLA will also need to be satisfied that you are not likely to have any more seizures."
https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/driving-regulations#.WaMEN4rkWZM

zagubov

The sense of entitlement here makes me wonder why we don't charge missed medical appointments as private; the NHS is free at the point of delivery but if you don't cancel the appointment, you forfeit the free access and should pay.

GothicStirling

zagubov wrote: »

The sense of entitlement here makes me wonder why we don't charge missed medical appointments as private; the NHS is free at the point of delivery but if you don't cancel the appointment, you forfeit the free access and should pay.

Reminds me of something that happened a year ago. I work 8-4 week days, which makes it a pain in the butt to get GP appointments. I have to book an evening one for two weeks in advance, unless its an emergency. Well, having done this, I was asked to work a late shift that week, so I jumped at the chance of getting a morning appointment. When I was at the surgery, I told the receptionist that I no longer needed the evening appointment. She replied 'thanks for telling us,' in a grateful way that I've never seen before. Isn't that what we should be doing if we aren't going to attend an appointment?

badmemory

Our surgery posts a monthly list of missed appts with both doctors & nurses. The doctors missed appts are bad enough but the missed nurses appts are horrendous. To me there is only one excuse to miss the appt (well 2 actually) and one is that you are already in hospital, the other well I'll let you work that one out.

OP (I expect you to have a go at me for this but I'll survive) are you sure you are well? I ask because my friend, who fortunately hasn't had a fit for 20 years, used to sound just like you when she was several hours before a fit. The next stage was to go very quiet & then start to very lightly tap her head on the desk. That was the hint to clear the decks, clear floor space and move anything that might cause injury. I know that the signs can vary a lot from person to person but this just seemed so familiar!

zagubov

I wonder if the NHS queuing system should take account of (and obviously after urgency and severity are prioritised)
-how often you've missed appointments
-whether you're a blood/organ donor
-whether you do voluntary work like transporting patients
-how you behave in a medical setting ( ie not abusive).

almillar

You are all very short sighted

Yes, but please don't tell the DVLA on me!

As someone who has not had a seizure since 2015

It was 2014 a few posts ago.

I shall be keeping my licence and shall continue to drive perfectly legally

Good stuff. Get that form filled in and sent back.

My biggest gripe is the stamp money I will lose

Hand deliver it then.

The law states you only have to be seizure free for a YEAR

Great, you're fine then!

I missed appointments due to being to busy, not because I have anything to hide

I hope you haven't been too busy to insure and tax your car. You can't be 'too busy' to manage an illness. It has to be top priority. It's costing you a stamp now because you missed it.
And finally, how do you know 'Joe Public' reported you, and not a medical professional?

GothicStirling

Johno100 wrote: »

Yes, the DVLA have protocols to follow when presented with such information so no reason to criticise them.

But no, if it was the consultant (or his/her staff) then breaching confidentiality based on a simple missed appointment and not speaking to the patient is overstepping the mark. Have a read of the GMC guidelines.

http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/30653.asp

You misunderstand NHS Confidentiality policy (I work for the NHS). If your GP/consultant etc has cause to believe (or you have informed them that you pose a harm to others, or at risk of harming yourself, then Safeguarding policy overrides Confidentiality.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/safeguard-policy.pdf

docmatt

I have to waste money on a stamp. :D:D:D:D

patman99

My old surgery had a 3 strikes policy. Miss 3 Appointments and you will be removed from their books and blocked from rejoining.

Op, just fill out the form. If you don't, you may well find that DVLA revoke your licence which will cause you even more grief.

BeenThroughItAll

patman99 wrote: »

My old surgery had a 3 strikes policy. Miss 3 Appointments and you will be removed from their books and blocked from rejoining.

Op, just fill out the form. If you don't, you may well find that DVLA revoke your licence which will cause you even more grief.

But it'd save the cost of a stamp. So, every cloud...