- Messages
- 194
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi,
I searched online but have not been able to find a definitive answer to this question.
So I turn to the forum . . . Does anybody know . . .
Can a Doctor initiate contact with the DVLA, to inform the DVLA that they feel their Diabetic patient (on Insulin) is unfit to drive?
Is a Doctor within their rights to do that? Or can they only respond to a request for information from the DVLA, after the patient themself has contacted the DVLA?
I would have thought that a Doctor initiating contact with DVLA might breach confidentiality rules? But I'm not sure of the exact situation.
The background to my question is that I recently had a disastrous first appointment at the Diabetes Centre at my local hospital. The Doctor that I spoke with absolutely hated my strategy for managing my Diabetes (Ketogenic diet) and raised several objections. I thought all these objections were ill-informed, and the consult did not proceed very well.
She thought that I was having too many 'lows', and the topic of DVLA came up. I could not be really sure (her English was excellent, but not her first language, so maybe difficult to pick up subtle things) but I got the impression during our chat that she was implying/threatening that she would/could inform the DVLA that she felt the management of my Diabetes was not good enough to ensure safe driving. Since the appointment I've been wondering if a Doctor has the power/authority to do this?
(fyi, I returned to the UK this year from living abroad; I completed the DIAB1 form honestly, and was granted a 3-year licence without any issues. I totally comply with all the guidelines for drivers on Insulin. But from this forum I know that incorrect information from Doctors - where they have ticked the wrong box for example - is extremely difficult and time-consuming to undo.)
Thanks for any information!
Regards
Antony
I searched online but have not been able to find a definitive answer to this question.
So I turn to the forum . . . Does anybody know . . .
Can a Doctor initiate contact with the DVLA, to inform the DVLA that they feel their Diabetic patient (on Insulin) is unfit to drive?
Is a Doctor within their rights to do that? Or can they only respond to a request for information from the DVLA, after the patient themself has contacted the DVLA?
I would have thought that a Doctor initiating contact with DVLA might breach confidentiality rules? But I'm not sure of the exact situation.
The background to my question is that I recently had a disastrous first appointment at the Diabetes Centre at my local hospital. The Doctor that I spoke with absolutely hated my strategy for managing my Diabetes (Ketogenic diet) and raised several objections. I thought all these objections were ill-informed, and the consult did not proceed very well.
She thought that I was having too many 'lows', and the topic of DVLA came up. I could not be really sure (her English was excellent, but not her first language, so maybe difficult to pick up subtle things) but I got the impression during our chat that she was implying/threatening that she would/could inform the DVLA that she felt the management of my Diabetes was not good enough to ensure safe driving. Since the appointment I've been wondering if a Doctor has the power/authority to do this?
(fyi, I returned to the UK this year from living abroad; I completed the DIAB1 form honestly, and was granted a 3-year licence without any issues. I totally comply with all the guidelines for drivers on Insulin. But from this forum I know that incorrect information from Doctors - where they have ticked the wrong box for example - is extremely difficult and time-consuming to undo.)
Thanks for any information!
Regards
Antony