What's wrong with me?!

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

I'd give them until Tuesday afternoon and ring again, if it hasn't been looked at then contact your MP again. Keep the pressure on.

I doubt very much they'll say it'll be ok from a certain date, it'll either be yes or no, and if the surgeon is saying yes then I can't see them going against that as they'll have no grounds to.

It does sound like things are happening exactly as they did for me, which is promising

This is good to know. In your opinion, how long do you think it will be until they make a decision, based on the fact it's marked as urgent?

My car is actually at the garage getting some service bits done and will be ready Tuesday, so Tuesday may be a good time to call them

Cheers

Ross

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

From the point when I got my MP involved to getting my license back it was about 5 weeks, but that included my MP getting them to agree to allow me to apply (at that point I still had 3 months left of my "ban"). Once I had sent all the forms in, and they'd got the forms back from my surgeon, it was a matter of days. They did try and stall it again, as they do, but my MP stepped in again

Thanks for this. In theory, then, I could be driving next week! The fact it's been referred to the Dr's suggests they aren't going to consider the 12 month period..... My surgeon has said to me that based on their guidelines and what he's written to them he sees no reason why they would decline my application.

Cannot wait

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

Fingers crossed for you fella

Thanks, I'll call them tomorrow on my lunch break

[E65Ross]

Called them and my licence application has been accepted. However, they're saying they won't send my licence put until nearer the 12 month period (they said somewhere around November 13th).

I've just emailed the MP again to see if she can help.

How absurd. They have said I'm fine to drive, hence accepting my application, but then say I have to wait. Ridiculous! Hopefully the MP can get this sorted for me.

[E65Ross]

They are such aholes aren't they. I've emailed the MP again as well as my surgeon, Vas. I'm hoping he'll phone the Dr's line and say there's no reason to withhold my licence back. I just hope he's able to do this. They said it may help.

What a piss take! Will keep you posted!

I mentioned your case and they weren't able to access it because I'm not the licence holder, which is frustrating.

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

E65Ross said:

They are such aholes aren't they. I've emailed the MP again as well as my surgeon, Vas. I'm hoping he'll phone the Dr's line and say there's no reason to withhold my licence back. I just hope he's able to do this. They said it may help.

What a piss take! Will keep you posted!

I mentioned your case and they weren't able to access it because I'm not the licence holder, which is frustrating.

I'll email you my case reference in the morning, they can look it up then. They'll no doubt say every case is different, but they have set a president with my case (and probably others) of not enforcing the whole "ban" when there is no medical reason to do so.

I have given them your case number, but they said they couldn't access it because I wasn't the licence holder.... I didn't ask for any personal information, I just said that person xyz with this condition was under the same situation as me and he got his licence back and his case number was mxxxxx.

I've emailed the MP again, and hopefully they'll help me out. I've also emailed Vas. We'll see what happens!

Many thanks.

[E65Ross]

I've just had a message back from Vas saying he'll call the DVLA tomorrow and "try to work his charm"

What a hero. We shall see what happens. Neurosurgeon who's seen me and knows me and says I'm fine..... DVLA tts who's never met me are also saying I'm fine (hence issuing my licence) but then making me wait another 7 weeks.

How utterly, utterly ridiculous.

I may ask my MP to see if we can get this changed in parliament or something. It won't help me but it may help others in the future.

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

E65Ross said:

I have given them your case number, but they said they couldn't access it because I wasn't the licence holder.... I didn't ask for any personal information, I just said that person xyz with this condition was under the same situation as me and he got his licence back and his case number was mxxxxx.

I've emailed the MP again, and hopefully they'll help me out. I've also emailed Vas. We'll see what happens!

Many thanks.

Ah, forgot I'd already given it to you. There is absolutely nothing to stop them from looking, more bullst. I honestly don't know how they get away with it, the dishonesty is quite astonishing !

I don't know what to suggest if you're MP hits a wall, press involvement maybe ?

Tell me about it, utterly absurd. I've been through enough and so to hit this battle right at the end is just crazy. Hopefully Vas will get somewhere. A neuro-oncology consultant saying that there is no reason why I can't drive now and should wait another 7 weeks vs some prat in an office who knows fk all about me.....it SHOULD be a clear outcome, but you know it probably won't be.

Not heard back from the MP case worker yet but hopefully I'll hear back at some point today.

Effectively what the DVLA are saying is that in the next 7 weeks something is DEFINITELY going to change to my condition which will mean I'm able to drive. If this change wouldn't happen, they wouldn't have granted my licence; if there were no change to take place, I should have my licence back now.

When I asked to speak to one of the DVLA drs I was told they don't talk to the public. I genuinely wonder whether they actually exist (no, seriously)

Thanks Crikey, will keep you posted.

[E65Ross]

Got a message from Vas last night....

Hi Ross. Unfortunately an emergency op kept me in theatre till 20:00, and I have another one tomorrow of similar size. Nothing planned just emergency admissions that keep coming. I have not forgotten about you and I will definitely do it, tomorrow if I finish before the end of the day or on Friday. You have been unlucky on this but we'll not give up. I will let you know. Cheers. Vas.

What an absolute hero. He really does continue to exceed expectations!

I hope he can convince them to let me drive now!

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

Any response from your MP yet ? That's your best hope I think.

Not yet, it was Tuesday lunch time I sent the email so if I hear nothing by tonight I'll send another email tomorrow morning, I'll give her my phone number too as discussing over the phone may be easoer.

Cheers

[E65Ross]

Crikey,

Have just pinged you an email. I'd be extremely grateful if you could help me out with that. Let me know if you got the form etc and forwarded email OK.

Cheers again

Ross

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

Got it, I'll get that back to you later this morning.

thanks mate. Hopefully it will help!

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

All done, hope it helps.

You're a hero, sir!!

Let's hope this helps. No one can say I'm not trying my best

really, really appreciate that, and I'll keep you updated on any further progress.

Have a great weekend

Ross

[E65Ross]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/current-medical-guidel...

Very interesting! I've just forwarded this to my MP and Vas!

[E65Ross]

Sent that off to the MP and have just got a response....

Dear Mr Fripp

May I confirm I have received Mr xxxx’s email and having spoken to my contact at the DVLA to warn her that I was sending in a further question relating to your case, she will be looking out for it. I have since sent the additional information in via email.

As soon as I hear anything I’ll get back to you.

Thanks

Sarah

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

Good stuff, keep hammering away at them

You'll have to remind me, what type of tumour did you have ?

Grade 2 ependymoma

I'm not going down without a fight....though I feel I may be losing it, it's worth trying!! At the end of the day, the DVLA just want to do as little work as possible. They really are a bunch of arses!

[E65Ross]

crikey said:

I think it's more a case of them wanting to show just how powerful they are by goose-stepping all over people.

They really are tts aren't they! Let's hope Vas and the MP have some luck either today or early next week.

[E65Ross]

TheAngryDog said:

I cannot believe the trouble that you are having! Utter madness!

Good luck!

Tell me about it.....it gets worse!

I had a message from Vas this afternoon telling me of the conversation he's had with the DVLA drs and....even he couldn't convince them to let me get my licence back early. He said it's ridiculous; and he seemed really disappointed he couldn't help me with this.

I sent him a nice message back thanking him for all he's done for me, and I'd like to keep in touch etc and he's just replied and given me his mobile number and said he wants to keep in touch

Once I can drive again I'm going to see if he fancies meeting up for a bite to eat for lunch or something no harm asking. He's just a really decent bloke.

So my last chance at getting the licence back early lies with the MP, and tomorrow could potentially be "decision day", so we'll see. I think I'll either be driving before the end of this coming week, or I won't be driving at all until December.

It sounds daft but, thinking now I'm basically 12 months on from diagnosis (bar just over 2 weeks) this past 12 months can be viewed as ultimately a very positive thing in my life. Sounds crazy, right?

Well....I've learned an awful lot about myself and my character, I've learned who my real friends are (and, conversely, who aren't worth the light of day....eg my dad's parents who haven't once asked me how I am THIS YEAR). I've learned that many people in the world are extremely kind and generous (this includes everyone who's helped me on this thread both with kind words, donations or otherwise!), that the NHS is bloody magnificent when it has to be (less so when it doesn't, mind). I've also learned what really counts in life, that you can't take things for granted, and life is too short to worry about small, minor things.

Yes, I'd rather be back to exactly how I was before being sick but I'm generally well and healthy and enjoying life again....except for not being able to drive yet

[E65Ross]

rovermorris999 said:

A good attitude Ross. I have a feeling you'll do well in life. Best of luck with the DVLA.

Many thanks, I hope I do alright

Didn't hear back from the MP today. I'll send them another email tomorrow late afternoon if I don't hear anything by then. I'm not getting my hopes up; seems absurd that they're so rigid on this that even Vas can't convince them that 6.5 weeks of waiting won't suddenly make me more road-worthy than I am now.

[E65Ross]

Done

Mentioned conversation I'd had with Vas RE his chat with DVLA. Also mentioned how I'm having to cycle 20 miles each way to work and back, and that it's not as safe now it's getting darker and colder etc. It's also having an impact on my income as I can't treat patients with home visits etc etc. Also said I hope they can use your case as an example of the DVLA actually listening to what the professionals (ie consultants!) say rather than some totally irrelevant guidelines, and that they seemingly have 2 sets of guidelines!

Will see if I get a reply tomorrow!

Cheers.