Medical

[JayneJones]

I was wondering what is the process for medical assements for train guard, and if there is a list of disqualify medical conditions?

 

[Chumba]

Search through the threads a couple of pages in there’s plenty of info, from a couple of people who’ve just done them.

 

[kevconnor]

There's never going to be a list of disqualifying medical conditions as it may depend on degrees of severity. There is inevitably going to be some conditions which may lend themselves to making it more difficult for a person to carry out the role, either with or without reasonable adjustments. However, any medical has to approach each person as an individual and ascertain the limits of their capability.

 

[Ell887]

Apologies for bumping this thread, it seemed better than opening a new one.

I’ve had a separated AC Joint (shoulder blade detached from collar bone). It’s left a visible bump where the bone protrudes. I’m currently undergoing specialist rehab and steroid injections in the hope surgery isn’t required.

It should have no serious lasting limitations once fully healed, although the joint will never be fully repaired and stable (from heavy impact). I’ll be fit to do my current role away from the railways which I’d assume is more physically demanding while being safety critical.

Would this be something that could hinder any application at the medical stage, should I make it that far? I know it’s a very unique case but any experience from people with similar musculoskeletal injuries would be much appreciated.

 

[TheVicLine]

I'm obviously not a doctor, but from my experience of 15 years of railway medicals with multiple companies I can say that the medicals contain a basic mobility test but nothing very strenuous. You will need to declare previous conditions and the doctor will check the AC Joint to make sure that it does not effect your mobility.
If as you say the damage has no lasting limitations once fully healed then there shouldn't be any issues.

 

[Ell887]

I'm obviously not a doctor, but from my experience of 15 years of railway medicals with multiple companies I can say that the medicals contain a basic mobility test but nothing very strenuous. You will need to declare previous conditions and the doctor will check the AC Joint to make sure that it does not effect your mobility.
If as you say the damage has no lasting limitations once fully healed then there shouldn't be any issues.

Thanks, I assumed so. Just wasn’t sure how in depth the Medicals were.

 

[Efini92]

If you tell them about it they will more than likely just ask you if you can support your weight with your arms.

 

[TheVicLine]

Thanks, I assumed so. Just wasn’t sure how in depth the Medicals were.

The medicals seem to vary from doctor to doctor, I've had them push against my hand and have to push back, nothing particularly strenuous but just checking there is no problem/pain in your elbow or shoulder.
It's not a strenuous job really, they want to know that you can climb up a ladder into the cab or walk on ballast if required. As a guard there is walking involved when checking tickets but not a huge amount.

 

[tracksider]

I have a history of "white coat" hypertension; blood pressure that only appears high in clinical settings but is, in fact, normal in everyday life. Does anyone know if I might run into difficulties in the medical because of this?

 

[TheVicLine]

I have a history of "white coat" hypertension; blood pressure that only appears high in clinical settings but is, in fact, normal in everyday life. Does anyone know if I might run into difficulties in the medical because of this?

It's not a problem.

 

[Stigy]

I have a history of "white coat" hypertension; blood pressure that only appears high in clinical settings but is, in fact, normal in everyday life. Does anyone know if I might run into difficulties in the medical because of this?

If your BP is slightly elevated they may ask you to have it confirmed as okay by your GP or something, but from what I’ve heard, most are okay.

 

[Chumba]

When I had a medical for NR my BP was slightly higher than what they would allow. The examiner was very good, she took it 3 times (last one was once I’d passed everything else in case that was the issue ) to see if it went down during the medical which it did slightly, but was still too high.

I was given a referral form and a few weeks later had it redone at the doctors and it was fine, the DR signed the referral form and emailed it off, and all was OK, passed the medical.

 

[tracksider]

It's not a problem.

If your BP is slightly elevated they may ask you to have it confirmed as okay by your GP or something, but from what I’ve heard, most are okay.

When I had a medical for NR my BP was slightly higher than what they would allow. The examiner was very good, she took it 3 times (last one was once I’d passed everything else in case that was the issue ) to see if it went down during the medical which it did slightly, but was still too high.

I was given a referral form and a few weeks later had it redone at the doctors and it was fine, the DR signed the referral form and emailed it off, and all was OK, passed the medical.

Thanks all, that's very reassuring!

 

[RSTurbo50]

Mine can go as high as 160/110 in a medical setting but at home when i take it myself its more liie 142/90

 

[TheGoldfish]

Hi, can anyone advise on the info required for the trainee driver medical? The questionnaire seems quite in depth .... do they require a report from your GP ? Is this something I’ll have to arrange and pay for ?

Thanks.

 

[Rockhopper]

Mine can go as high as 160/110 in a medical setting but at home when i take it myself its more liie 142/90

Mines the same, some Doctors say though that high BP is high BP no matter where it happens and white coat syndrome, whilst its a real syndrome is still dangerous and should be treated.
I was having a pre-deployment medical for heading out to a hot and sandy place - the Doc said that until I can sit in that chair and produce 120/80 I wasn't going - so no pressure then (pun intended!!).

 

[greatkingrat]

Hi, can anyone advise on the info required for the trainee driver medical? The questionnaire seems quite in depth .... do they require a report from your GP ? Is this something I’ll have to arrange and pay for ?

Thanks.

Not normally. There may be some medical conditions where they need to obtain more information before they make a final decision, but for the vast majority everything will be done there and then (apart from waiting for the drug test results to come back).

 

[TheGoldfish]

Not normally. There may be some medical conditions where they need to obtain more information before they make a final decision, but for the vast majority everything will be done there and then (apart from waiting for the drug test results to come back).

Cheers for the response ..... I didn’t know if I had to spend the next few weeks at the gym

 

[RSTurbo50]

Mines the same, some Doctors say though that high BP is high BP no matter where it happens and white coat syndrome, whilst its a real syndrome is still dangerous and should be treated.
I was having a pre-deployment medical for heading out to a hot and sandy place - the Doc said that until I can sit in that chair and produce 120/80 I wasn't going - so no pressure then (pun intended!!).

Did you manage to get it down to 120/80? I cant remember a time in recent times anyways that mine was that low.

 

[Rockhopper]

No, not at that time. I didn’t know I had a problem till I had the Army medical and it took a lot of GP visits over quite a few years to get it under control. I’ve seen my gp a couple of times in the past year for other reasons and my BP has been fine each time.
Most civilian Doctors appreciate white coat syndrome and I always mention it, on at least one occasion a GP has said that there was no point even measuring it as it’s bound to be high so she just signed me off!
I have an app on my phone and I regularly take it myself and log the results. When medicals come along I just print out the results and take it with me as a kind of insurance policy just in case. It’s always been accepted.

 

[whoosh]

Apologies for bumping this thread, it seemed better than opening a new one.

I’ve had a separated AC Joint (shoulder blade detached from collar bone). It’s left a visible bump where the bone protrudes. I’m currently undergoing specialist rehab and steroid injections in the hope surgery isn’t required.

It should have no serious lasting limitations once fully healed, although the joint will never be fully repaired and stable (from heavy impact). I’ll be fit to do my current role away from the railways which I’d assume is more physically demanding while being safety critical.

Would this be something that could hinder any application at the medical stage, should I make it that far? I know it’s a very unique case but any experience from people with similar musculoskeletal injuries would be much appreciated.

Would you be able to climb from ground level up into a cab, and vice-versa? Whilst not physically demanding normally, there are times when you might need to do a lot of walking on uneven ballast (not a problem in your case), and climbing up and down from the ground - not a platform.

There may be times you would need to leave your train to undertake duties in an emergency or have to get on/off your train in the sidings, and your fitness to work would have those duties as a benchmark.

All the best with your recovery.

 

[Stigy]

Apologies for bumping this thread, it seemed better than opening a new one.

I’ve had a separated AC Joint (shoulder blade detached from collar bone). It’s left a visible bump where the bone protrudes. I’m currently undergoing specialist rehab and steroid injections in the hope surgery isn’t required.

It should have no serious lasting limitations once fully healed, although the joint will never be fully repaired and stable (from heavy impact). I’ll be fit to do my current role away from the railways which I’d assume is more physically demanding while being safety critical.

Would this be something that could hinder any application at the medical stage, should I make it that far? I know it’s a very unique case but any experience from people with similar musculoskeletal injuries would be much appreciated.

To add to what Whoosh said; Each case will be dealt with on its own merits. You’ll have a consultation with the doctor usually and can discuss any of this stuff. In addition to the items Whoosh mentioned, you should hear in mind you will need to be able to reach for in-cab safety devices within a couple of seconds so need to be able to react comfortably. Depending on your stature and the cab layout etc, this may require you to stretch slightly or turn.

Good luck!

 

[Ell887]

Would you be able to climb from ground level up into a cab, and vice-versa? Whilst not physically demanding normally, there are times when you might need to do a lot of walking on uneven ballast (not a problem in your case), and climbing up and down from the ground - not a platform.

There may be times you would need to leave your train to undertake duties in an emergency or have to get on/off your train in the sidings, and your fitness to work would have those duties as a benchmark.

All the best with your recovery.

Thanks for the information. All of those things wouldn’t be a problem at all. Was just unsure if TOCs would be inclined to swerve anyone with medical history given that they have the pick of so many candidates.

 

[Ell887]

No, not at that time. I didn’t know I had a problem till I had the Army medical and it took a lot of GP visits over quite a few years to get it under control. I’ve seen my gp a couple of times in the past year for other reasons and my BP has been fine each time.
Most civilian Doctors appreciate white coat syndrome and I always mention it, on at least one occasion a GP has said that there was no point even measuring it as it’s bound to be high so she just signed me off!
I have an app on my phone and I regularly take it myself and log the results. When medicals come along I just print out the results and take it with me as a kind of insurance policy just in case. It’s always been accepted.

Good luck with that and I hope your applications are successful. My experience with medicals like that are the same. It’s so easy for the Medical Officer to sign you off rather than try and sort the issue out at root.

Just noticed your photo by the way, it brings back some memories of being very cold!

 

[tomnpt83]

Just wanted to jump on this thread about medicals and wanted to ask a question. I have Colitis and was wondering if this would effect passing a medical for a train driver?

 

[Stigy]

Just wanted to jump on this thread about medicals and wanted to ask a question. I have Colitis and was wondering if this would effect passing a medical for a train driver?

No.

You’ll be fine. I’m on medication for a similar thing and just took my medication with me and chatted to the doctors about it. I understand TOCs do vary generally speaking, but something like this, where presumably any medication you’re on, like mine, has no side effects (or none that you’re experiencing anyway), won’t be an issue. I took a note from my GP too just underlining how the medication I’m on would be fine for driving trains and is non-drowsy etc. It just cuts out the middle man and speeds things up if they wanted to make enquiries.

I would say the only thing that would be an issue was if it wasn’t under control, so I’m basing all of the above on the fact that you’ve been diagnosed with Colitis, so it is under control if that makes sense?

The important thing is to be open and honest with the situation. Not least because IF you had issues in the future and needed time off etc, you already have on file that you suffer from colitis.