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Driver's Medical Appraisal

Hi Citari and others - hope all goes well for you. I was horrified to read this thread, particularly as I have just acquired a new consultant who has already managed to confuse some of the things I told her. I am dreading my next renewal. I have good warnings and tend to go high rather than low anyway but that doesn't seem to count for anything any more. My consultant has part retired and the new one seems to be looking for reasons to hook my high Hba1C on, rather than actually listening to what I said. She has written to my GP so I am going to have to write to both putting right the factual errors. I feel unsupported and utterly miserable - and it hasn't even happened yet. I live in a village with poor public transport but the worst thing is I am a musician and need to get to remote village halls, coming back late at night when there is no public transport. Taxis are unaffordable. If I lost that I would lose my reason to live. Reading the thread has made me realize I must get that letter written, though it is difficult to find time for anything at the moment. Oh and I have an ageing father who needs more regular support as he gets older and lives 180 miles away. Tried to find him sheltered accommodation locally and "housing direct" dont even reply (or read the form). Looks like he is staying put and I will be driving a lot more. Sorry if I come across as negative - feeling very helpless at the moment. Good luck with phoning them Citari. I think there was once an online petition about the new laws. Not sure if it had any effect. Is there anything else we can do - this is blatant discrimination in anyone's book!!
 
Thanks for all the messages of support and I am sorry to hear (but not surprised) of the problems others are having with the DVLA.
For some of us living in rural areas it is near impossible to travel without a car and certainly would make getting to work impossible for me.
I had a phone call from my MP's office last Friday to say that they had chased through what was happening with the DVLA and that the DVLA would move my case up the list. They agreed that it should not take the involvement of your MP to get things done, but then if enough of us raise this issue with our MP then perhaps something might get done.
Anyway, a result! I got a letter from the DVLA today saying their medical enquiries were now finished and I would be issued with a short term licence soon, then blah blah blah about why only temporary for 3 years and what I needed to do if my condition changes.

I have been diabetic for 45 years and have never had anything but a 3 year licence.

Then surprise, further down my pile of mail. a letter with the driving licence enclosed. Another waste of money. I suppose I should look on the bright side and appreciate that this 12 month renewal process has effectively given me a 4 year licence.
So three whole years to go before I have to put up with the DVLA's snivelling and condescending letters telling me about my condition and the problems associated.
As if I did not know

I am meeting my MP on Friday to discuss why I believe:-
1) The DVLA is not fit for purpose
2) The DVLA (and therefore this government) are discriminating against diabetics.

Although David Cameron seemed to agree back in 2011 it does not look like anyone listened to him!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/ ... p-diabetes

As to being told that the UK is simply complying with EU directives,
the link below shows how the different member states deal with diabetics and driving which (in summary) states that driving legislation in different EU countries varies but in most EU countries (if I am reading this right) you do not have to even declare diabetes if you already have a driving licence.

http://www.idf.org/sites/default/files/ ... 220910.pdf

FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A PETITION TO SIGN THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOU
See the 'Driving Licence Suspended' thread on this forum and get behind this one

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/d ... -diabetics
 
About blooming time!! I'm made up for you citari and well done!! :clap:

I have signed the petition. I agree something really does need to be done about it because they shouldn't take 12 months to decide whether someone can drive. They claim that a medical/doctor/expert assesses the cases but are they a specialist in diabetes...probably not. They are probably an all rounder like GP's who don't know enough about the disease to determine whether an individual should drive or not. As far as I'm concerned if your well under control or as closely controlled as possible and recognise your hypos then why shouldn't you drive. Even if you don't recognise your hypos and are using CGM and check your bs levels surely there could be a compromise.

I remember Cameron's statement. We all had so much hope, I think it was because a relative of his has diabetes, can't quite remember.

Anyway I'm really glad you've got your licence renewed
 
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