Railway Medical...

winks · 15th June 2009, 20:41

Apart from the p*ss test which we all know about what questions do they ask you when at the medical, do they delve into every aspect of your health history?

Cheers

37401 · 15th June 2009, 20:47

eyesight is a big one, do you have any eye problems, are you colour blind? that sort of stuff

winks · 15th June 2009, 21:04

Oh OK, Im fairly young so do not have any immediate health problems!! I did have a bit of stress/anxiety a few months back, would this raise any issues?

ianthescot · 15th June 2009, 23:10

Hi Winks.

I passed the medical despite just coming off anti depressants (and I did tell them about this!). Everyone suffers stress and the medical may ask some details about any affects it had on you. It would probably more likely be at the interview stages that this may cause a problem, though that obviously depends on the cause of the stress, the length of time you were off work (if at all) and any existing issues you may have.

Other things the medical will look for, other than eyesight and colour blindness are hearing and your heart. You will get an ECG. The problem with this is that an ECG is an indicator of possible problems and even having a problem with the ECG does not automatically eliminate you. I had a problem due to an extra u wave at the end of my reading which the machine did not interpret and the doctor was not aware of this at the time. A cardiologist soon put them right

GB · 16th June 2009, 09:37

IIRC, with Bupa, before the medical starts there is a question form to fill out that asks about your medical history, time off work and general sickness etc etc

The ECG is dependant upon your employer and the company performing the medical. I had a railway medical last year and the ECG was not required.

You will be asked what medication you have taken two weeks prior to the medical. Declare EVERYTHING, even over the counter stuff...its better to be safe than sorry. If you are taking (or have taken) perscription drugs, take any packaging with you so you can give them the details. Theres no point trying to hide anything because all we become clear once you have done the urine test.

It sounds obvious, but Id suggest not drinking (alcohol) at all at least 12 hours before the medical.

You will be tested on colour blindness as well as your general eye sight and of course your hearing too.

Blood pressure, weight and height are all recorded.

Its all pretty straight foward, nothing to worry about.

winks · 16th June 2009, 15:28

Brilliant.......thanks for that!

**Mojo** · 16th June 2009, 21:05

Mine was with Norwich Union, not really much to add to the above really; questionnaire, vision, colourblindness and hearing. Also had my height/weight taken so they could give my BMI. They also supplied me with plenty of water!

Stacey · 18th June 2009, 19:38

I don't know whether it is the same at TOCs etc but at Rail Gourmet (for Stewarding job) I had loadsa pages of "Do you have or have ever had xxx", and questions on the ins and outs of everything - "and finally anything else.."
Once it was all done the nurse signed it off and you could start...

O L Leigh · 18th June 2009, 23:00

I can't remember all the details of mine, but I'm expecting to have to go again soon because it's almost 5 years since the last one. However, what all the other have said sounds about right.

The only thing they seem to have missed is the "physical jerks" section where you have to show you have good coordination and no restricted movement by demonstrating a few basic moves.

O L Leigh

GB · 19th June 2009, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by O L Leigh

The only thing they seem to have missed is the "physical jerks" section where you have to show you have good coordination and no restricted movement by demonstrating a few basic moves.

O L Leigh

Never did that on mine...from what I remember.

33056 · 22nd June 2009, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by O L Leigh

The only thing they seem to have missed is the "physical jerks" section where you have to show you have good coordination and no restricted movement by demonstrating a few basic moves.

O L Leigh

I did my last one ('cos I'm getting old

) about 18 months ago and there was none of that, just eyesight, hearing, peeing in the jar and a few general health questions. Perhaps it is slightly different for drivers?

15th June 2009, 20:41	#1
winks Member Join Date: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 14	Railway Medical... Apart from the p*ss test which we all know about what questions do they ask you when at the medical, do they delve into every aspect of your health history? Cheers

15th June 2009, 20:47	#2
37401 Mr Bean Flailing.... Established Member Join Date: 12 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 3,281	eyesight is a big one, do you have any eye problems, are you colour blind? that sort of stuff __________________ Ian Morris Compass Tours Steward \| C50A Shareholder \| D400 Fund Member \| Videos \| Photos

16th June 2009, 09:37	#5
GB Established Member Join Date: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,193	IIRC, with Bupa, before the medical starts there is a question form to fill out that asks about your medical history, time off work and general sickness etc etc The ECG is dependant upon your employer and the company performing the medical. I had a railway medical last year and the ECG was not required. You will be asked what medication you have taken two weeks prior to the medical. Declare EVERYTHING, even over the counter stuff...its better to be safe than sorry. If you are taking (or have taken) perscription drugs, take any packaging with you so you can give them the details. Theres no point trying to hide anything because all we become clear once you have done the urine test. It sounds obvious, but Id suggest not drinking (alcohol) at all at least 12 hours before the medical. You will be tested on colour blindness as well as your general eye sight and of course your hearing too. Blood pressure, weight and height are all recorded. Its all pretty straight foward, nothing to worry about. Last edited by GB; 16th June 2009 at 15:31.

18th June 2009, 23:00	#9
O L Leigh In the cab with the paper Established Member Join Date: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 3,207	I can't remember all the details of mine, but I'm expecting to have to go again soon because it's almost 5 years since the last one. However, what all the other have said sounds about right. The only thing they seem to have missed is the "physical jerks" section where you have to show you have good coordination and no restricted movement by demonstrating a few basic moves. O L Leigh __________________

15th June 2009, 21:04	#3
winks Member Join Date: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 14	Oh OK, Im fairly young so do not have any immediate health problems!! I did have a bit of stress/anxiety a few months back, would this raise any issues?

15th June 2009, 23:10	#4
ianthescot Formerly ''ianmcleod'' Member Join Date: 1 Feb 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 16	Hi Winks. I passed the medical despite just coming off anti depressants (and I did tell them about this!). Everyone suffers stress and the medical may ask some details about any affects it had on you. It would probably more likely be at the interview stages that this may cause a problem, though that obviously depends on the cause of the stress, the length of time you were off work (if at all) and any existing issues you may have. Other things the medical will look for, other than eyesight and colour blindness are hearing and your heart. You will get an ECG. The problem with this is that an ECG is an indicator of possible problems and even having a problem with the ECG does not automatically eliminate you. I had a problem due to an extra u wave at the end of my reading which the machine did not interpret and the doctor was not aware of this at the time. A cardiologist soon put them right

16th June 2009, 15:28	#6
winks Member Join Date: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 14	Brilliant.......thanks for that!

16th June 2009, 21:05	#7
Mojo Muffin head Administrator Join Date: 7 Aug 2005 Location: London W12 Posts: 11,510	Mine was with Norwich Union, not really much to add to the above really; questionnaire, vision, colourblindness and hearing. Also had my height/weight taken so they could give my BMI. They also supplied me with plenty of water!

18th June 2009, 19:38	#8
Stacey Member Join Date: 8 May 2009 Location: South West Posts: 283	I don't know whether it is the same at TOCs etc but at Rail Gourmet (for Stewarding job) I had loadsa pages of "Do you have or have ever had xxx", and questions on the ins and outs of everything - "and finally anything else.." Once it was all done the nurse signed it off and you could start...