Is the medical for licence renewal just something that is kept only between the doctor doing the medical and the DVLA, or does the doctor doing the medical have full access to your medical record beforehand?
If the latter, does the doctor doing the medical send your full medical record to the DVLA or do they only send the results of the medical test?
I do mine at my own doctors as I’m diabetic - so he is able to list the medication I’m on and give the last 3 blood pressure readings . I’d guess you would need your own doctor to be able to complete the form completely and honestly .
i did my medical via enterpirse training.
and i use the term medical loosley
he asked me few question ask me my weight said no idea don’t own a set of scales so he had get set scales out the cupboard.
asked my height quick eye test and that was it.
not what id call a medical really but yeah
Unless its changed drastically since I did mine 5 or so years ago, they only have access to information from the blood pressure machine, stethoscope and what you tell them to go on.
They can’t access your records unless its your own doc and you have to declare at the end of the form that to the best of your knowledge everything on it is correct. The one I did just skipped most of the firm without even asking.
Thats how they ensure you don’t miss out info like serious known conditions - you could but as we saw from the bin lorry crash a few years back, it wouldn’t be a good idea.
Hi Mick i would go with my own doctor every time being on medication for high blood pressure.the dvsa prefer you using your own doctor for this reason i am in agreement with trev particularly about Glasgow bin driver who had lied about his medical condition to a doctor not his own gp (mods i know this as I am working with someone who was there at the time) cheers Ray
Mick Bracewell:
Is the medical for licence renewal just something that is kept only between the doctor doing the medical and the DVLA, or does the doctor doing the medical have full access to your medical record beforehand?
If the latter, does the doctor doing the medical send your full medical record to the DVLA or do they only send the results of the medical test?
The doctor doesn’t necessarily send the form off for you, but might do if providing a full prepaid service booked through one of the driver medical websites.
Just the form is sent off and the DVLA decides if it needs further information afterwards. If your form does not indicate anything of concern, the renewal can go through effectively without anyone actually having sight of your medical records.
To this extent the system does rely on declarations made, but your signature is present on the form certifying that all of the information is correct (to your knowledge) and also that you authorise release of information on your medical records. If the consent and declaration isn’t signed, the DVLA probably wouldn’t process the form at all.
Your personal medical data is between you and your GP or Hospital anybody else has to have your permission to access it,which is highly unlikely to happen as they dont have access to your GPs data system
Third party Doctor can only go on the results of what he “tests” you for at the time of the “examination” he / she has no idea what your medical history is or if you are not disclosing anything. Go to your own GP,costs more but what`s £100 / 150 quid spread over 5 years £1 a week tops
Prefer using a doctor who specialises in HGV medicals (not one from some sort of consortium often mentioned here), the one i go to not only does the usual urine sight and bloody pressure tests but then goes on to use a small handheld heart condition monitor, considering i pay less than half what my own doctor’s practice would charge (company re-imbursed) i get a better more thorough medical with that all important heart condition checked, something to keep in mind as the years stack up.
Also those who specialise in HGV tests, and their practice nurses, are used to filling the paperwork in correctly, keep hearing stories of the consortium production line doctors making a pigs ear of the paperwork in their rush.
Ask around other drivers for recommendations of good ones in your area, but don’t leave it till the last minute, some 6 weeks or more waiting list for an appointment.
blood pressure is a interesting one to me , I’ve high blood pressure , have been given sheet I have to fill in am / pm , but no one has said anything about I can’t drive , I guess it has to be very high to stop you driving , mine was 160 / 170 when had 3 month diabetic check
Checking myself I’m ok in morn 120 /130 , but pm is 140-160 ( only checked when off for a month & now do Fri / sat / sun when off
Next time I’m at docs / hospital will have to ask what level blood pressure do they stop you driving
When you write BP readings the first one is the high one (systolic) , the pressure of the blood as it travels from the heart, and the second number is the lower one (diastolic) as it travels back to the heart. The normal or healthy reading is usually quoted as 120/80.
You’ve written some of yours as if they’re sys/dia, eg "160 / 170 " readings but I’m guessing you meant to make that a dash, like 160-170. If you had a diastolic of 170 you’d probably already be dead. Stating the systolic on it’s own isn’t sufficient; high systolic readings are bad, but high diastolic readings are considered more serious:
Government advice to those who assess fitness to drive states: Must not drive and must notify the DVLA if resting BP is consistently: 180mm Hg or higher systolic and/or 100mm Hg or more diastolic.
The “mm Hg” just means millimetres of mercury, the unit of pressure measurement
Dozy I’m surprised you’re still driving. if you go for a medical with your bp that high they’ll suspend your license until it’s under control cheers Ray
dozy:
blood pressure is a interesting one to me , I’ve high blood pressure , have been given sheet I have to fill in am / pm , but no one has said anything about I can’t drive , I guess it has to be very high to stop you driving , mine was 160 / 170 when had 3 month diabetic check
Checking myself I’m ok in morn 120 /130 , but pm is 140-160 ( only checked when off for a month & now do Fri / sat / sun when off
Next time I’m at docs / hospital will have to ask what level blood pressure do they stop you driving
I’ve just written what comes up on monitor , doctors were meant to give me one but all were out so my girl got me one , I’ll have to take a pic
stargazer148:
Dozy I’m surprised you’re still driving. if you go for a medical with your bp that high they’ll suspend your license until it’s under control cheers Ray
The only mention of driving was when I was diagnosed diabetic & nurse said I was ok to continue , but doctors know about blood pressure as was high when I went into hospital / on 3 monthly diabetic check , why I had to check it daily , am / pm & fill in sheet ( they’ve had first one for 3 weeks and never come back .
Got blood test at end of month , then consultation week later with consultant so will add to list of questions to ask