Another medical question
Discussion
A close friend of mine suffered a grand mal epileptic fit recently (and no it wasn't me - the only time I have had a fit is when a co-worker "touch" parks me in the works car park 
)
It was her first ever fit although about 7 years ago she was told she had suffered a petit mal, whereas this was the full blown thing. She wants to know the position re driving.
1. She went to hospital (it happened abroad) and they have notes. the insurance company will have access to these notes as she signed a form of authority. She has reported it to her GP in this country who has referred her to a neurologist. Can her GP "report" her to the DVLA to withdraw her licence?
2. Will the DVLA ban her for 1 year automatically if the fit is "declared" to them?
3. Who is under a duty to advise the DVLA?
Any advice appreciated.
) It was her first ever fit although about 7 years ago she was told she had suffered a petit mal, whereas this was the full blown thing. She wants to know the position re driving.
1. She went to hospital (it happened abroad) and they have notes. the insurance company will have access to these notes as she signed a form of authority. She has reported it to her GP in this country who has referred her to a neurologist. Can her GP "report" her to the DVLA to withdraw her licence?
2. Will the DVLA ban her for 1 year automatically if the fit is "declared" to them?
3. Who is under a duty to advise the DVLA?
Any advice appreciated.
Unfortunately for her, yes it does need to be reported, yes it will result in a 1 year ban and yes, she is obliged to report it to the DVLA herself (the doctor may well be required to do so as well).
Tough break.
However, its in her/our best interest, as what would have happened had she been at the wheel?
{edited to add:} My brother lost his license for a year after receiving a head injury just in case he developed epilepsy as a result.
>> Edited by pdv6 on Tuesday 7th January 11:41
Tough break.
However, its in her/our best interest, as what would have happened had she been at the wheel?
{edited to add:} My brother lost his license for a year after receiving a head injury just in case he developed epilepsy as a result.
>> Edited by pdv6 on Tuesday 7th January 11:41
I employ an epileptic van driver ! He declared this to me at interview but said that DVLA had given him his license back after he showed 2 full years of being fit free (all be it drug controlled) I checked his license and with my insurance company before taking him on and they said if DVLA had given him a license they were happy to insure him at no extra premium. All may not be yet lost but yes the emphasis is on the individual to inform DVLA straight away if a condition materialises that can effect competancy, my father had his license permanantly withdrawn when diagnosed with alziemers.
Her GP is obliged to both, ask her to tell the DVLA and to tell the DVLA themselves.
A distinction is made between nocturnal and daytime fits. Patients who have had only nocturnal fits for a period of at least 3 years may hold a licence; patients who have had even 1 daytime fit may not drive for 1 year. In other cases, where there have been 2 or more fits, the licence will be withdrawn and not reinstated until a period of at least 1 year has elapsed without further attacks.
Longer fit-free intervals are required in patients with higher risks of recurrent seizures: this applies to mainly neurosurgical cases with tumours, severe head injury or other structural lesions.
Hope that clears everything up.
A distinction is made between nocturnal and daytime fits. Patients who have had only nocturnal fits for a period of at least 3 years may hold a licence; patients who have had even 1 daytime fit may not drive for 1 year. In other cases, where there have been 2 or more fits, the licence will be withdrawn and not reinstated until a period of at least 1 year has elapsed without further attacks.
Longer fit-free intervals are required in patients with higher risks of recurrent seizures: this applies to mainly neurosurgical cases with tumours, severe head injury or other structural lesions.
Hope that clears everything up.
thanks chaps. unfortunately she will be devastated. She lives in the middle of no where with no public transport and works some distance away. she cannot afford to move out (especially now she will have to quit her job) and really does not get on with her parents whom she lives with as they are often at each others throats. Funny how dependant you can be on your car........:sad:
Get her to check with the local CAB or a suitable union. If she is full time and been with the company for over a period of time (sorry - can't remember what the time is) the employer will be oblidged to find a suitable solution to accomodate her disability.
pdv6 said:
shnozz said:especially now she will have to quit her job
Seems a tad harsh. No opportunity for working from home until the situation is resolved?
You can't be thrown out of your job just because you fall ill with a disability - the employer must make all reasonable efforts to accomodate it.
J
Afraid everyone is right.. Problem is epilepsy can be difficult to predict and it may take a while to get the medication levels right. Best not to drive until thats done.
In terms of employment, I'm pretty sure the empoyer has to make provision. Mail me off line and I'll give you some contacts that might help, (ought to have them around here somewhere..)
In terms of employment, I'm pretty sure the empoyer has to make provision. Mail me off line and I'll give you some contacts that might help, (ought to have them around here somewhere..)
Psychobert said:In terms of employment, I'm pretty sure the empoyer has to make provision. Mail me off line and I'll give you some contacts that might help, (ought to have them around here somewhere..)
I hope the employer will be understanding, but if they aren't then there are plenty of legal firms that will do no-win no-fee on employment issues (beacause the employer rarely "wins" in those cases).
If things do turn out for the worse with the employeer and your friend wants to go down that router then email me and I'll give you some contact numbers of firms that advertise around London.
J
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