Can someone with managed HIV become a train driver.

Hi guys,

Pretty nervous to post on here as I am still struggling to come to terms with things myself, I got HIV when I was 17 through no fault of my own.
I am looking to see if anyone knows if a HIV diagnosis would put me at no chance of passing a medical as a Trainee Train Driver or if it isn't something that would rule out a medical pass?
I am 23, fit and healthy apart from the obvious, I have managed HIV through medication and I won't go into all the doctors jargon but I am undetectable and the treatment is working for me.

I have looked on-line for pass/fail conditions for a Train Driver medical but cannot find anything on there about it.
I previously took tests to become a Pilot and passed them all, but the CAA weren't as open to the fact we are now in 2015 when it came to the medical.
I am hoping Train Drivers could be different or is that another dream of mine down the toilet?

Any advice/information would help!

Thank you for your time

Best thing you can do is be open and declare it from the outset but as long as the side effects of your medication don't affect your judgement or concentration levels i can't see any reason how they could fail you as lots of drivers myself included take medication for things like high blood pressure. As long as it doesn't affect your ability to do your job you should be fine.

This is a link to aslef's policy on hiv which states that applicants can't be discriminated against and basically that all medication should be declared

http://www.aslef.org.uk/files/125725/FileName/ASLEFHIVPolicybooklet.pdf

Not sure about the driving grade specifically but I do know of at least two members of train crew that are HIV positive and they have no problems with doing their job at all

Thanks for the quick replies guys, it's a little reassuring.
I have had issues with my medication affecting my concentration in the past but not any more since I have changed my medication after speaking to doctors about it.
With that being said it would be on my medical notes from the past and would worry that if they contact my GP it would show up from the old medication and they may throw the book there and then? :/

PotentialTrain said:

Thanks for the quick replies guys, it's a little reassuring.
I have had issues with my medication affecting my concentration in the past but not any more since I have changed my medication after speaking to doctors about it.
With that being said it would be on my medical notes from the past and would worry that if they contact my GP it would show up from the old medication and they may throw the book there and then? :/

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Surely your doc could not tell them anything out of patient confidentiality?

craigwilson said:

Surely your doc could not tell them anything out of patient confidentiality?

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I am not certain but I think BUPA or whoever take the medical request your medical record and as an applicant when you sign the forms there is a disclaimer in there somewhere, I do not know if this is now the case but it certainly used to be.

This is a difficult question due to the fact that if by any chance you need to change your medication you may be prescribed a medication that affects you ability to drive a train or work a train as a guard.

It may be a good idea to get a consultation from an expert possibly that knows the ins and outs of the railway group standards prior to applying and this way you will know if it is permissible and also have the evidence from an expert who can confirm this.

Good luck

TDK said:

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I am not certain but I think BUPA or whoever take the medical request your medical record and as an applicant when you sign the forms there is a disclaimer in there somewhere, I do not know if this is now the case but it certainly used to be.

This is a difficult question due to the fact that if by any chance you need to change your medication you may be prescribed a medication that affects you ability to drive a train or work a train as a guard.

It may be a good idea to get a consultation from an expert possibly that knows the ins and outs of the railway group standards prior to applying and this way you will know if it is permissible and also have the evidence from an expert who can confirm this.

Good luck

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Well seeing as there are already TMs working with HIV I would imagine RGS allow it. At least for guards

You'd be expected to sign a release to allow the employer's occupational health to contact your gp and access your records.

Regards, the op, I was sceptical about the caa line, if it is a managed condition as I'm not sure that they would be allowed to discriminate on the grounds of a health condition that is no going to effect the job. However, you then say that you had concentration issues with medication. This will be the biggy, as maintaining concentration during long periods of relatively monotonous and routine work is vital to both pilots and train drivers.

HIV is not the disease it was 20 years ago, if detected early and medication is complied with, people lead a full, healthy and long life.

Speak to the Terence Higgins trust, they should be able to point you in the right direction.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The current group standard for train driver medical fitness is linked below.

Section 2.1.2.1. Is the overarching guideline, so if the medication can be shown not to impair those factors, then it shouldn't be an issue.


http://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/GORT3451 Iss 4.pdf

Thanks everyone, this has helped ease my doubts.
I spoke to my specialists today and they would be willing to write a positive report if I ever get to that stage.

Surgeons with HIV can operate on people nowadays for goodness sake.
Still, the stigma is changing slowly, I guess that's a positive.

hello mate

I'm +ive, but i was diagnosed mny years after getting the job. all you wll get is help and sympathy. hasn't affected my safety in the least. but i don't know what the score is if you're +ive before starting. but the best of luck and don't let it put you off doing anyhting with your life.

PotentialTrain said:

Thanks everyone, this has helped ease my doubts.
I spoke to my specialists today and they would be willing to write a positive report if I ever get to that stage.

Surgeons with HIV can operate on people nowadays for goodness sake.
Still, the stigma is changing slowly, I guess that's a positive.

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The context is all niportant when making such statements. Only those surgeons who are on anti-retroviral therapy and has what is stated to be an undetectable viral load are allowed to operate.

Whilst HIV is not an immediate bar there is a statement for Doctors to also consider when it comes to fitness for work.

"Railway undertakings shall not permit train drivers to continue driving duties where there is reason to believe they may be suffering from any medical condition or be taking any medication, drugs or substances, which are likely to cause:
a) Sudden loss of consciousness.
b) A reduction in attention or concentration.
c) Sudden incapacity.
d) A loss of balance or co-ordination.
e) Significant limitation of mobility."


Good luck, I hope you get on OK.

JohnFM said:

The context is all niportant when making such statements. Only those surgeons who are on anti-retroviral therapy and has what is stated to be an undetectable viral load are allowed to operate.

Whilst HIV is not an immediate bar there is a statement for Doctors to also consider when it comes to fitness for work.

"Railway undertakings shall not permit train drivers to continue driving duties where there is reason to believe they may be suffering from any medical condition or be taking any medication, drugs or substances, which are likely to cause:
a) Sudden loss of consciousness.
b) A reduction in attention or concentration.
c) Sudden incapacity.
d) A loss of balance or co-ordination.
e) Significant limitation of mobility."


Good luck, I hope you get on OK.

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I think the medication will be more of an issue than the illness all depending on the medication that is being taken.

The treatment is always considered alongside the illness. The guiding factor when considering fitness is always: "medical condition or be taking any medication, drugs or substances," as quoted above.

So the illness, or treatment, of that illness could cause a person to be unfit employment. It is all about weighing the risks.

Anyway, I hope all goes well for you, PotentialTrain.