Do Gwr help with travel costs to get to these medicalsThey conduct medicals in either Reading, Swindon or Plymouth
I was issued a travel pass for mineDo Gwr help with travel costs to get to these medicals
I was told I’d be issued a travel pass but it never materialised (I didn’t chase it up though). I was contacted by someone from SWR to book me in too (I currently work for SWR but that shouldn’t have a bearing on who sends the emails as I used my personal email too rather than SWR one), so I guess SWR/GWR work together on this to an extent? They don’t use the same locations, as SWR conduct their Medicals in London.I was issued a travel pass for mine
It’s zero on the railway too I’m led to believe (For safety critical roles at least). For Jon-Safety critical roles they don’t test for alcohol, just drugs.I thought I'd ask this question on this thread as it deals with the medical process.
I'm interested to know about the screening for drugs and alcohol at a medical. Obviously, I have never done drugs but I do enjoy a few pints at my local.
I do appreciate most, if not all jobs in the rail industry do screening for drugs and alcohol. I would assume the purpose of the random alcohol test is to check if you are potentially over the legal drink drive limit which is 35 microgrammes. A friend of mine works in the gas industry and I'm sure he said his employers have a zero policy which means you cannot have any microgrammes of alcohol in your system even if you are well below 35.
Going back to my original question, I know alcohol can stay in your system for up 36 hours after your last drink (depending of course the volume of alcohol you last consumed). I know alcohol toxins can stay in your system for up to a fortnight (14 days) after your last drink.
How thorough is the medical on this? Do you need to abstain from any alcohol for more than two weeks prior to a medical?
I'm just applying for a couple of railway jobs and I wanted to just get the heads up of what to expect if I get as far as the medical process.
Regards C J
I have heard some use a breathalyser. I’m not sure at what stage the urine is tested for alcohol though (whether it’s the dip test that they also carry out, or once in the lab?).Interesting to read that they tested your urine for booze Stigy, where I had my medical, all be if for a different company, it was a breathalyser. Like Stigy has said though, it's zero allowance for safety critical roles.
I do drink but only on special occasions like Christmas birthdays weddings and funerals I might drink a couple of bottles of Budweiser but I don’t go out and get absolutely smashedIt’s zero on the railway too I’m led to believe (For safety critical roles at least). For Jon-Safety critical roles they don’t test for alcohol, just drugs.
They test urine for drugs and alcohol rather than breath, so you’re right that it can stay in the system for some time. I drink maybe a bottle a night, and rarely go to the pub. I went ‘cold turkey’ for about 48-hrs, although the general consensus is, as long as you’ve not just been on a massive session, lay off the alcohol the night before the medical, or up to 24 hrs before. I’m a bit OCD and overthink things, which is why I gave it a clear two days. As I said though, I never really binge. I’m pretty sure even if a bottle of 330ml Sol did show up 48 hours after drinking it, it would be so marginal that for the sake of a medical, it wouldn’t be a problem.
I think the view is once you have a railway job, don’t drink within 12 hours of your shift generally speaking. Again, it’s common sense. If you’re in your local ‘spoons at 2300hrs the night before your shift, which starts at 1300hrs and are on a session, this is a risky business and I’d not recommend it, even with over 12-hours between.
I’m the same....my next visit to the pub will probably be my leaving drinkies no doubt....but there’s over a week between that and starting driver training so I can have a fewI do drink but only on special occasions like Christmas birthdays weddings and funerals I might drink a couple of bottles of Budweiser but I don’t go out and get absolutely smashed
I've got mine booked for Swindon in July. At the gwr clinic.hello, where does gwr do their medicals? Have they got their own medical centre? And is the medical done in one day? What is included in it? And do we get the results as well as gwr? thank you
It takes about an hour. The wait for results is about a week. You won’t get specific notification that the Medical was passed, but will just be sent a formal offer, which equates to the same thing really.I’m not sure how long the medicals take it sounds like safety critical medical takes longer than the non safety critical medical
The BMI (height/weight) isn’t an accurate measure for the reason you mentioned. However, if it is far as opposed to muscle, like me, they’ll probably advise accordinglyThanks for the updates.
I've not done a job medical since I joined the police in 2003.
I can't remember certain things but I do remember the doctor had a rainbow type chart that gave an average height against weight ratio. I remember he said my ideal weight was something like 11 stone as a 6 foot male. I've never been anywhere near that weight as an adult and one of my police friends is a ex-professional body builder at 5'8'' and 15 stone so I can imagine he would be classed as obese when in fact he's packed full of muscle with little fat!!!
Aside from that, I was just interested in the blood test. I don't know how intrusive the test results are and whether they can find out about your liver function results which may give an indication of your true alcohol consumption. Like I said, I believe the human body takes a fortnight to cleanse itself of alcohol toxins even though you would blow zero on a breathalyser after a couple of days abstinence. I'm just curious to know whether or not you should stay away from any alcohol for a good couple of weeks prior to a medical.
I'm sure many railway employees drink responsibly and stay safe but clearly a medical is different from just doing a routine screening test in the workplace.
C J
like I said, no need to go over the top. 48 hours at most if you’re a bit of an over thinker like me. We’re all human.I believe the human body takes a fortnight to cleanse itself of alcohol toxins even though you would blow zero on a breathalyser after a couple of days abstinence. I'm just curious to know whether or not you should stay away from any alcohol for a good couple of weeks prior to a medical.
I'm sure many railway employees drink responsibly and stay safe but clearly a medical is different from just doing a routine screening test in the workplace.
C J
There shouldn't be a blood test.Aside from that, I was just interested in the blood test
They test for alcohol for trainee drivers, in addition to the items you mentioned. This is not necessarily the case for all medicals. Trainee drivers also have an ECG carried out.Just had a safety-critical medical; they tested eyesight, colour vision, hearing, blood pressure/pulse and height/weight. Took a urine sample for drugs (apparently they don't test for alcohol, but why take chances?). Very nice people, reassured me that all was well and promised to process the sample ASAP; should hear back by Friday.
Which TOC is that for?I was also told that she had signed me off as fit for the role, so long as the drug screening comes back clear.
I have a high bmi. 34.7 but she was happy with that as I showed all the signs of being a fit healthy specimen.
So hopefully, I get the all clear and a start date soon.
Never taken drugs so the screening should just be a formality
Cheers, I know you’ve said before but I lose track haha. Strange how some TOCs use a breathalyser too? I assume they still check for alcohol as part of the urine sample?west mids dude
Echoing my comment above about drinking I sometimes go out with my dad for a meal and have a drink I don’t get to see my dad that often he lives in Northamptonshire I live in DevonCheers, I know you’ve said before but I lose track haha. Strange how some TOCs use a breathalyser too? I assume they still check for alcohol as part of the urine sample?