Medical Operation whilst a trainee...

[MrsCake21]

Hi all.

How do TOC's view drivers who have to have time off for operations which would require 2 weeks recovery?
Whilst a trainee and also when a fully qualified driver.?

I'm on the waiting list on the NHS, the operation could fall whilst I'm training, but it could also fall when/if I'm fully qualified.


Thanks

 

[AverageJoe]

Hi all.

How do TOC's view drivers who have to have time off for operations which would require 2 weeks recovery?
Whilst a trainee and also when a fully qualified driver.?

I'm on the waiting list on the NHS, the operation could fall whilst I'm training, but it could also fall when/if I'm fully qualified.
It's a Hernia operation.

Thanks

Are you currently a trainee or just looking to get in to the industry?

If you are a trainee did you know about this upcoming operation when you had your medical and did you disclose this?

The answer to those first two questions may change the response you get on here and from the toc.

As regards how a toc would act in general I would say it’s down to the individual driver manager probably.

I’ve know of people who have taken time off for surgery early in their careers whether it be training or PQA but they also knew the operation needed to happen and was transparent with the toc from the beginning.

2 weeks off isn’t a big deal whilst in training, I took a 3 week holiday during my driving hours, but they may be a little miffed if you spring this on them when and you hadn’t mentioned it within a reasonable time for them to plan or you didn’t mention it on your pre employment medical.

 

[skyhigh]

2 weeks off isn’t a big deal whilst in training, I took a 3 week holiday during my driving hours

2 weeks off would probably be an issue if you're still in the classroom period though. At best you'd have to be bumped back a course as it would be impossible to catch up.

 

[AverageJoe]

2 weeks off would probably be an issue if you're still in the classroom period though. At best you'd have to be bumped back a course as it would be impossible to catch up.

Yeh I did mean that but forgot to say it.

 

[coxxy]

Completely depends what stage of training to be honest, if it's whilst classroom will be much more of an issue than if you were practical handling.

You will have to declare that you are waiting for surgery as part of your medical as well so best off speaking to the TOC. If delaying the operation until after pass out is an option then tell them that.

 

[muz379]

When passed out and qualified it really shouldn't be an issue . People have time off for operations all the time , youll just be on the sick . They might require you to have a company medical before coming back to work . Also bear in mind different TOC's have different conditions around sick pay entitlements , some you dont earn your full entitlement to sick pay until you have a number of years service .

If it is during your classroom training , it could be an issue . The best you can hope for is to be bumped back a course . I don't know what stage you are at but if you have already been recruited I would definitely disclose it . I cannot imagine they will be too thrilled if you spring it on them half way through the classroom based part of your course especially because at some TOC's places on driving courses are at an absolute premium already .

During your practical handling with an instructor I cannot see it being a particular issue unless it is very early on or the time off was a lot longer . Indeed a lot already take some leave during this period because theyll have not been able to take any at school . In which case It might just be a case of getting more hours in or something liek that .

 

[nolypops83]

Hi all.

How do TOC's view drivers who have to have time off for operations which would require 2 weeks recovery?
Whilst a trainee and also when a fully qualified driver.?

I'm on the waiting list on the NHS, the operation could fall whilst I'm training, but it could also fall when/if I'm fully qualified.
It's a Hernia operation.

Thanks

What's the waiting list length like in your area? You can check here. https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/

Obviously it would be much better for everyone if you could have this done before starting a course. Do you have a course date, are you in the talent pool, or is this just hypothetical and you're applying for roles?

There's always the option of going private to expedite the process, although I appreciate this isn't a realistic option for everyone. If you have a guaranteed place on a course and there's time to get it sorted before you start, you could take the financial hit now and then reap the benefits when you start earning your full salary. An interest free credit card, or a family loan if they are in the position to help. That's only if you have a guaranteed role, I wouldn't risk it otherwise.

Edit - If it's keyhole surgery (which I have had before, not for a hernia though) the recovery time is usually quite quick if there aren't complications. I was back at my office job in 2 weeks but could have gone back earlier. Something more physical, like driving would be longer I suspect.

 

[MrsCake21]

Are you currently a trainee or just looking to get in to the industry?

If you are a trainee did you know about this upcoming operation when you had your medical and did you disclose this?

The answer to those first two questions may change the response you get on here and from the toc.

As regards how a toc would act in general I would say it’s down to the individual driver manager probably.

I’ve know of people who have taken time off for surgery early in their careers whether it be training or PQA but they also knew the operation needed to happen and was transparent with the toc from the beginning.

2 weeks off isn’t a big deal whilst in training, I took a 3 week holiday during my driving hours, but they may be a little miffed if you spring this on them when and you hadn’t mentioned it within a reasonable time for them to plan or you didn’t mention it on your pre employment medical.

Hi, I'm half way through the tests.. Only just found out I'm on the waiting list for an operation. I went to see specialist about a month ago.

I just dont see what I can do about it. It would brake me financially to pay private but regardless of the cost I don't think It would be done and recovered in time for a potential start date. (provided i pass the tests and DMI)..
NHS on the other hand just said you're on the waiting list and to sit tight. tut.

I potential could put it off for over a year. But what would happen if it ruptured during the 12 months and i suddenly needed the operation half way through training, even if i'd cancelled it? Would they sack me...?
If I declare it at the interview they will never employ me. Too risky for them...#

So what can i do other than keep quiet and put the operation off for 18 months???

 

[nolypops83]

Hi, I'm half way through the tests. waiting on a DMI. Only just found out I'm on the waiting list for an operation. I went to see specialist about a month ago.

I just dont see what I can do about it. It would brake me financially to pay private but regardless of the cost I don't think It would be done and recovered in time for a potential start date. (provided i pass the tests and DMI)..
NHS on the other hand just said you're on the waiting list and to sit tight. tut.

I potential could put it off for over a year. But what would happen if it ruptured during the 12 months and i suddenly needed the operation half way through training, even if i'd cancelled it? Would they sack me...?
If I declare it at the interview they will never employ me. Too risky for them...#

So what can i do other than keep quiet and put the operation off for 18 months???

Yikes! No don't put it off. You'll have to have a medical anyway before you start.

 

[skyhigh]

I potential could put it off for over a year. But what would happen if it ruptured during the 12 months and i suddenly needed the operation half way through training, even if i'd cancelled it? Would they sack me...?
If I declare it at the interview they will never employ me. Too risky for them...#

So what can i do other than keep quiet and put the operation off for 18 months???

If you lie during the medical and get found out, then yes, you could potentially be sacked (particularly if it comes to light when you're still a trainee).

You'll just have to be honest about it.

 

[niceman]

If you lie during the medical and get found out, then yes, you could potentially be sacked (particularly if it comes to light when you're still a trainee).

You'll just have to be honest about it.

Honest about having a hernia? Do they ask that question?

 

[Ducatist4]

I suspect they wouldn't even offer you the job if you are unfit. The risk to the company would be too great.

 

[niceman]

I suspect they wouldn't even offer you the job if you are unfit. The risk to the company would be too great.

This is interesting. What kind of questions do they ask you at your medical with regards to your medical history. Do they dig deep and do they go to you Dr notes. I had a problem with prolapse disc's in spine 15 years ago. Suffered with a bad back etc but resolved with posture and excersise routines... would they want to know this?

 

[Ducatist4]

They'd certainly expect you to disclose any pre-existing medical condition that might affect your ability to do the job.

 

[niceman]

They'd certainly expect you to disclose any pre-existing medical condition that might affect your ability to do the job.

what would be classed as something that effects your ability to drive a train... my bad back doesn't effect me now. So I wouldn't need to declare it. Imo?? Is a bad back even a medical condition...

 

[MrsCake21]

Yikes! No don't put it off. You'll have to have a medical anyway before you start.

lol Thanks



If i got it done privately before the medical, would i need to tell them I've had it done?

 

[GemGem]

I was on a waiting list whilst going through training. I got given a date towards the end of my training and I was able to defer the date by a couple of months. Kept my manager informed and I was back at work ready to route learn 2 weeks later with no issues.

 

[Starmill]

lol Thanks

but will a medical ask about hernias?

If i got it done privately before the medical, would i need to tell them I've had it done?

Isn't one of the questions an open-ended one about medical conditions which affect your job? Also, does the medical doctor not request permission to access your notes?

From your description it sounds unlikely that this is anything that could affect your fitness for the job. More important however is that you don't make any errors or omissions in the application, including medical.

 

[MrsCake21]

I was on a waiting list whilst going through training. I got given a date towards the end of my training and I was able to defer the date by a couple of months. Kept my manager informed and I was back at work ready to route learn 2 weeks later with no issues.

Can I ask did you declare this at the medical stage or did it come about during training?

 

[GemGem]

Can I ask did you declare this at the medical stage or did it come about during training?

No it happened during training.

 

[AverageJoe]

When I think about hernia and bad back as mentioned above, my concern for you wouldn’t be the driving side of things but more the getting in an out of a train to go trackside.

I can’t quite remember what happened on my medical but many drivers will regularly have to enter and leave a train at a depot or sidings which will mean reaching for handles and lifting oneself up to and down from a train.

Also would doing emergency protection be an issue? Getting out of the train to potentially a slopping cess, bending to put track clips down, walking 1.1/4 miles on uneven ballast and then bending again 3 times to lay dets.

These are the things I would be thinking about if I had the back or hernia issue and I imagine the toc would want to know for these reasons.

It’s as much about safety as it is about comfort.

Also trains are very bumpy, I know a lad that hurt his back at my place and he has had to take a lot of time off, that’s a huge expense for the company.

It’s unfortunate timing but I would definitely mention it at the medical at least because I think they do ask if there are any issues or treatments due.