Driving and Diabetes - IDDT updates

[Northerner]

Driving and the EU law ? updated August 2012

DVLA ? YET More Confusion For Lgv Drivers!
The changes in the driving regulations were positive for people with vocational licences to drive buses or lorries [LV licenses] ? they allowed people treated with insulin to apply for an LGV licence. However, IDDT has been informed by one of the Transport unions that applicants with diabetes are falling foul of the strict new criteria that were also introduced.

http://www.iddt.org/about/living-with-diabetes/driving/

 

[trophywench]

I had that discussion with the head honcho Dr at my practice this very morning - he's not the diabetes GP, and he didn't even know insulin treated diabetics have to test before and every 2 hours, and hadn't a clue about it affecting peeps on sulphonureas.

I commented that the PCT who only allow 50 a month, for everybody - the doc can prescribe more but they have to justify every single case.

This was in response to my request for 200 strips at a time please cos I get through 3 boxes every 3 weeks and it's a drag having to keep ordering the flipping things 'Why ever are you testing THAT much? - you've had it for years, you should only need to test a couple of times a week now!' was his actual response. I said 'And you actually believe that?' Oh yes, my patients tell me this .... I said do any of em drive? Oh yes of course. I said well they're most likely breaking the law every single day then aren't they?

And explained.

Oh well he says, I'll take your word for it.

I said No, please don't, cos it ain't MY word, it's the word of the Law of this land we both happen to live in - if you give a stuff, you should check it on the DVLA website.

 

[pgcity]

I had that discussion with the head honcho Dr at my practice this very morning - he's not the diabetes GP, and he didn't even know insulin treated diabetics have to test before and every 2 hours, and hadn't a clue about it affecting peeps on sulphonureas.

I commented that the PCT who only allow 50 a month, for everybody - the doc can prescribe more but they have to justify every single case.

This was in response to my request for 200 strips at a time please cos I get through 3 boxes every 3 weeks and it's a drag having to keep ordering the flipping things 'Why ever are you testing THAT much? - you've had it for years, you should only need to test a couple of times a week now!' was his actual response. I said 'And you actually believe that?' Oh yes, my patients tell me this .... I said do any of em drive? Oh yes of course. I said well they're most likely breaking the law every single day then aren't they?

And explained.

Oh well he says, I'll take your word for it.

I said No, please don't, cos it ain't MY word, it's the word of the Law of this land we both happen to live in - if you give a stuff, you should check it on the DVLA website.

I think that people think it doesn't apply to them and only realise when they have to renew their license. I was told by someone at a disbetes uk event that they felt ok between 3 and 4 so as they wernt hypo the rules didn't apply to them. Scary

 

[Copepod]

I realise that this is a controversial view, but, as an insulin user, I can differentiate in my mind between tests which I need to give myself the right insulin doses (ie before each meal and before bed) and those I need to take part in sport (activity being a vital part in keeping healthy with diabetes) and those I need to cope with shift work and drive (for work, when employer might be reasonably expected to contribute and / or get tax relief if I have to buy my own - not VAT, as that's already excluded, but set against income tax or social visits, when it's my responsibility, as I chose to drive when it's cheaper / more convenient than using public transport / get lift / cycle). I'd love the NHS to provide all the strips everyone wants, without cost to users, but there are limits on resources, so perhaps it is reasonable to pay for some strips?

So far, by cutting down on occasional pre-meal tests on boring / predictable days, I have enough for when I drive / work shifts. I am currently have a rest day between volunteer shifts at Olympics, so needing fewer tests than I have on duty days, working 1400 or 1530 to 0100, with journey home to lodging involving 1 mile walk as bus from Tube stops running around midnight. At least I can save my cereal bar, chocolates & fruit from my meal, in addition to my own muesli bars and sweets.

 

[trophywench]

I hear what you are saying Copepod but I don't agree.

The treatment the NHS provides for us (whether we pay for prescriptions or not and whatever condition we may have) is SUPPOSED to enable everyone to have as normal a life as anyone does.

OK in 1950 it was quite unusual for people to own a car. By the 1970's it was the norm. In 2012 car driving is as natural a part of everday life as walking was in 1950.

Therefore the NHS should and DO provide the means to do so.

If we decide to drive an HGV or a bus for our living then yes the employer should pay for the medical - it's their choice to be in that business in the first place and they must comply with the Law relating to it. But the engagement of persons with a disability is also ensconced in law and if they have tomake - for instance - changes to their premises to accommodate a blind employee then they can get monetary help with that. Where does that dosh come from? The Government.

The NHS is part of the Government, except in this case the money is channeled through the bit marked NHS direct to the End User, rather than the bit marked Disability, to the Employer.

 

[Copepod]

I think we actually agree - I was trying to say that perhaps we should be prepared to pay for our own strips for social driving or when we drive journeys that, for health / environmental reasons, should / could be done on foot (say up to 1 mile) / bike (say up to 5 or 10 miles, and dependent of safe routes) / public transport (where possible) / combination of those.

I actually got around without a driving licence until I was 30, hitching, getting lifts and using public transport all over UK and several other countries and continents, and within months, had diabetes too, so desperately want to keep my licence. I drive tractors and Land Rovers for one of my jobs and boss deals with insurance - they request copies of everyone's driving licence once a year to check for penalty points etc. As it's only about 10 journeys a month, I can cover the need for strips from my prescribed supply; if I were working full time and needed more strips than prescribed, I would ask employer to contribute.

Actually, I reckon that, if I needed, I could negotiate for more strips from GP, in exchange for very low usage of lancets and needles, due to reusing them. Not saying that's what everyone should do, but it works for me.

 

[Julia]

if I were working full time and needed more strips than prescribed, I would ask employer to contribute.

Really?! 😱 I've just added up - I've made over 50 work related car journeys in the last 7 days. As you know, I am a vet, mainly visiting horses on yards and farms. I drive over 30,000 miles a year for work. I feel valued at work and have never ever been aware of any discrimination for diabetes, but if it came to this I'm not sure what would happen (would probably by directly reflected in salary?). Luckily so far, I've not had a problem getting test strips and as you know I test a lot. Probably helps that I know my GP through running club as well.

 

[trophywench]

I just don't think that's right - neither you nor your employer should have to pay any extra in respect of emplyment of a person with a disability, otherwise one or both of you is disadvantaged which the Law says you mustn't be.

Yes if I choose to commute to work in my car I must fund that and pay for parking myself, same as I would have to pay my train or bus fare or put the effort in, to walk or cycle there.

But pay for extra strips in order to do that? Noooooooooooooo way.

If I choose to do something for Leisure such as rally driving or scuba diving and have to get medicals I'd expect to have to pay myself and need extra strips for that purpose only - well yes OK I'm willing to pay that. Fine.

But not to go to WORK. Work is a necessity in my life (or it was before I retured LOL) and of course should be regarded as such in everyone's life - not a luxury like hobbies are!

 

[Copepod]

Really?! 😱 I've just added up - I've made over 50 work related car journeys in the last 7 days. As you know, I am a vet, mainly visiting horses on yards and farms. I drive over 30,000 miles a year for work. I feel valued at work and have never ever been aware of any discrimination for diabetes, but if it came to this I'm not sure what would happen (would probably by directly reflected in salary?). Luckily so far, I've not had a problem getting test strips and as you know I test a lot. Probably helps that I know my GP through running club as well.

Or, as in last paragraph of post #6: "Actually, I reckon that, if I needed, I could negotiate for more strips from GP, in exchange for very low usage of lancets and needles, due to reusing them. Not saying that's what everyone should do, but it works for me." Like you, I know the two women of the four GPs at my surgery - I joined before I came to know them, both as colleagues through medical work - so, they would probably be supportive, although the two men, who I don't know professionally / socially. Of course, the past 2 weeks of very odd work, eating, sleeping & commuting hours as a Games Maker volunteer have involved quite a few extra tests, but I'm sure GP won't query my next repeat prescription request, although I put my last one in a bit early, so it would all be collected before I started my duties, particularly as I don't live in London.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Or, as in last paragraph of post #6: "Actually, I reckon that, if I needed, I could negotiate for more strips from GP, in exchange for very low usage of lancets and needles, due to reusing them. Not saying that's what everyone should do, but it works for me."

That almost seems like begging for a normal quality of life that everyone else takes for granted.
There should be no issues regarding the amount of strips people on insulin use esp regarding work and driving.