Trainee driver medical requirements: prescription drugs?

stephenhartley · 18 Nov 2016

I'm very interested in applying for a trainee driver position, but would like to know if having been prescribed anti-depressant drugs (either at present or in the past) would completely eliminate me on medical grounds?

Thanks for any help/advice,

Steve

RailUK Forums

JohnFM · 19 Nov 2016

A clinical history is just that. It is history and as long as the Mental Health team is satisfied you are discharged fully fit.

If you currently are on anti depressants then no, you will be deemed to be unfit, for obvious reasons.

fulmar · 19 Nov 2016

Taking anti depressant medication is not incompatible with the job of driving trains. Occupational health will of course want to be absolutely certain that you are stable on any medication and that the medication itself will not impact on your ability to perform safety critical work.

JohnFM · 20 Nov 2016

fulmar said:
Taking anti depressant medication is not incompatible with the job of driving trains. Occupational health will of course want to be absolutely certain that you are stable on any medication and that the medication itself will not impact on your ability to perform safety critical work.

Yes it is!

www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/gogn3655%20iss%202.pdf

The above link states :

Medicines that are capable of affecting the mind, emotions or behaviour. They include antidepressants, tranquillisers and anti-psychotic medicines (used to treat serious mental illness). . . . .

Research published by the Health and Safety Executive in 2004 (see reference 6) showed that psychotropic medication can reduce performance efficiency, and so affect safety at work. Such effects have been shown to be present for groups of medicines known as benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants.

If you are a recruit and on antidepressants they will require you to be no longer using that kind of medication before considering you and we are not talking you just suddenly stop to get the job, we are talking a reduction programme to wean you off along with being properly discharged from mental health care.

JetStream · 20 Nov 2016

JohnFM said:
Yes it is!

www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/gogn3655%20iss%202.pdf

The above link states :

Medicines that are capable of affecting the mind, emotions or behaviour. They include antidepressants, tranquillisers and anti-psychotic medicines (used to treat serious mental illness). . . . .

Research published by the Health and Safety Executive in 2004 (see reference 6) showed that psychotropic medication can reduce performance efficiency, and so affect safety at work. Such effects have been shown to be present for groups of medicines known as benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants.

If you are a recruit and on antidepressants they will require you to be no longer using that kind of medication before considering you and we are not talking you just suddenly stop to get the job, we are talking a reduction programme to wean you off along with being properly discharged from mental health care.

It doesn't actually say you can't be on them:

Why not produce a list of prohibited medicines?
D.6.1 Some medicines will almost always be incompatible with safety critical work, for
example strong antipsychotic medication or powerful morphine related painkillers
(narcotic analgesics).
D.6.2 Also, the use of certain medicines is clearly an indication that expert medical
opinion will be required concerning safety critical work, for example insulin or antiepileptic
medication. Nevertheless, the employee may still be fit for their duties.

If epileptics and diabetics are fine (in principle), and anti-depressants are in the same category as anti-histamines (allergies!), I'd imagine each person would be treated on their own merits, rather than have blanket bans.

fulmar · 20 Nov 2016

I am a driver. I have been taking anti depressant medication for many years and am technically under the care of mental health services. From time to time I have to undergo additional work medicals. I have a clean safety record stretching back more than twenty years.

I find it hard to believe that there are not other drivers on anti depressant medication. If there are none, then either train drivers as a group must be remarkably resistant to depression, or given how common problems such as depression are, there are a lot of drivers trying to cope with mental health problems by themselves who are perhaps too worried to admit to it for fear of losing their jobs.

stephenhartley · 20 Nov 2016

Thanks for all the thought-provoking responses. My conclusion is that I shouldn't necessarily be put off from applying purely on the grounds of my prescription...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

fulmar said:
I find it hard to believe that there are not other drivers on anti depressant medication. If there are none, then either train drivers as a group must be remarkably resistant to depression, or given how common problems such as depression are, there are a lot of drivers trying to cope with mental health problems by themselves who are perhaps too worried to admit to it for fear of losing their jobs.

Good point, well made!

JohnFM · 21 Nov 2016

fulmar said:
I am a driver. I have been taking anti depressant medication for many years and am technically under the care of mental health services. From time to time I have to undergo additional work medicals. I have a clean safety record stretching back more than twenty years.

I find it hard to believe that there are not other drivers on anti depressant medication. If there are none, then either train drivers as a group must be remarkably resistant to depression, or given how common problems such as depression are, there are a lot of drivers trying to cope with mental health problems by themselves who are perhaps too worried to admit to it for fear of losing their jobs.

Please note that I did say "recruit". If you are an existing employee then a duty of care exists to properly assess the individual and ensure that the job is manageable.

For recruits the system, as designed, can pick and choose the best recruit, not only in terms of abilities but also that of health.

I am not saying that you cannot apply. Just pointing you in the direction that states that the medical standards are aware that anti-depressants can affect safety critical work and as a recruit they can ask that you be free from the medication and be generally well thereafter.

JetStream - epileptics are NOT fine to drive!

Anyway, good luck in your application but don't be surprised if they ask you to come back once you're free of the medication and review from the MH team or GP.

scotraildriver · 21 Nov 2016

I have several colleagues who take Citalopram and similar SSRI type medication. Before starting they were required to undergo a medical and cannot drive for 48 hours to ensure no adverse reactions. They have additional medicals too but these types of medication are certainly not "banned". Its a case by case basis.

Gekko5154 · 23 Nov 2016

In need of some advice!

So I have been offered a position of trainee driver with a toc subject to medical and references. My issue is in 2004 I was assaulted by a group of thugs and I was in a coma for two weeks. I was in hospital about 8weeks overall and then discharged. Since then I have been a postman for 7 years and a Royal Mail driver for just over 2 years. I was in perfect health before the incident and I'm in perfect health after it. I'm abit worried they will take back their offer because of that incident in 2004 although it doesn't affect me in no shape or form.
A question on the medical questionnaire reads "Have you had any significant injuries or been admitted to hospital?" I was thinking not to disclose it as I'm in perfect health but I don't wanna be worrying thinking they could find out at any moment at sack me. I think I'll disclose it and take my chances. What do you guys think?

JohnFM · 23 Nov 2016

Gekko5154 said:
In need of some advice!

So I have been offered a position of trainee driver with a toc subject to medical and references. My issue is in 2004 I was assaulted by a group of thugs and I was in a coma for two weeks. I was in hospital about 8weeks overall and then discharged. Since then I have been a postman for 7 years and a Royal Mail driver for just over 2 years. I was in perfect health before the incident and I'm in perfect health after it. I'm abit worried they will take back their offer because of that incident in 2004 although it doesn't affect me in no shape or form.
A question on the medical questionnaire reads "Have you had any significant injuries or been admitted to hospital?" I was thinking not to disclose it as I'm in perfect health but I don't wanna be worrying thinking they could find out at any moment at sack me. I think I'll disclose it and take my chances. What do you guys think?

If you hide this info, and it is revealed later on, in all likelihood you would be dismissed for hiding that info.

A hospital admission never means that you will be medically unfit.

It is all down to how you are now.

The facts are that you required hospital treatment years ago and are now fit and well. That is all that matters.

Gekko5154 · 23 Nov 2016

Thanks for the advice JohnFM. Very much appreciated.

Gekko5154 · 19 Dec 2016

Medical passed today with flying colours(and I disclosed my previous head injury). I was stressing for no reason but JohnFM calmed my nerves lol. Good luck to all

Kev. · 19 Dec 2016

Gekko5154 said:
Medical passed today with flying colours(and I disclosed my previous head injury). I was stressing for no reason but JohnFM calmed my nerves lol. Good luck to all

Congrats Gekko, You got a start date yet?

Gekko5154 · 19 Dec 2016

Many thanks Kev!

Yes, I have been told my start date will be 13th March.

JohnFM · 19 Dec 2016

Gekko5154 said:
Medical passed today with flying colours(and I disclosed my previous head injury). I was stressing for no reason but JohnFM calmed my nerves lol. Good luck to all

Good news! Glad it all worked out for you.

Trainee driver medical requirements: prescription drugs?

stephenhartley

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fulmar

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