Network Rail & Type 1 Diabetes

[Zedgeezer]

Hi Frank87,
I think a major problem at NWR is that their health provider (OH Assist) will always default to "Computer says No" because that removes any risk to them. I would never let my son go into an environment where I thought there was a risk due to his Diabetic control, I know the quality of his management & yes, the blue tooth swipe option reinforces my trust. His pediatric team moved mountains to get everything set so there were no barriers to his employment, but now, during covid etc. both his medical practitioner & his consultant (not the pediatric team because he is now 21) are saying this isn't an emergency situation so have withdrawn all support, so I guess I'm just trying to get a feel for where to take this frustration to. This is a young guy who passed all the medicals to be employed, worked totally safely & successfully for two years, adapted his sugar intakes to allow for his working environment (yes, the long drives, the unexpected energy requirements etc.) and now he is restricted in progression because his safety tickets have been removed. Incidentally I have been P/Way track based for 27 yrs so I get the risks, I would never have suggested my son apply if I had the slightest doubt he was at any risk through his diabetes.

 

[Frank87]

@Zedgeezer I understand completely the frustration for you both. You yourself being track experienced understand exactly (Apologies, I didn't pickup on you being in the same line of work, but i take it you don't work directly for NWR either?). I have had plenty of battles over my own diabetes with various employment over the years, fortunately not been struck with such from NWR competencies (yet).

What competencies did they remove from him ?

'examiner was unfamiliar with the Freestyle Libre system, and removed all his safety tickets to work on the railway until his medical team could assure them that he could control his Type 1' - This triggered by someone unfamiliar is extremely unfair.

Its a seriously irritating position to be in for you both. Personally, I am the type of person that would push back and challenge them on it.

I don't know how helpful this might be;

Error - Cookies Turned Off

www.practicaldiabetes.com

Network Rail Diabetes Management Guidance

www.rmt.org.uk

From the above link;
'where medical restrictions have been placed post an Occupational Health Physician consultation.' - this seems to be the deciding factor. Given that things were fine until a medical with an uneducated examiner (towards the glucose monitoring equipment came into the picture)

I would argue this with them. I have no idea where NWR draw the line on this, I feel they are stepping dangerously close to discrimination here. If your son has proven fitness, and good control (slightly high readings over a shorter time does not count as ill health), I would definitely consider seeking professional advice if you aren't getting anywhere.

I can't find anything specifically on any NWR documentation about exact restrictions for Type 1 diabetes, they seems to be guidelines, but no crystal clear exceptions other than what seems based on an Occupational Health Physician consultation (if there is anything, I can't find it, nor have I even been shown it). I will definitely reach out to contacts I have, and make some enquiries to see if I help in any way. (As a fellow diabetic, reading about this kind of situation, not only saddens me, but irritates the hell out of me too).

 

[Zedgeezer]

@Zedgeezer I understand completely the frustration for you both. You yourself being track experienced understand exactly (Apologies, I didn't pickup on you being in the same line of work, but i take it you don't work directly for NWR either?). I have had plenty of battles over my own diabetes with various employment over the years, fortunately not been struck with such from NWR competencies (yet).

What competencies did they remove from him ?

'examiner was unfamiliar with the Freestyle Libre system, and removed all his safety tickets to work on the railway until his medical team could assure them that he could control his Type 1' - This triggered by someone unfamiliar is extremely unfair.

Its a seriously irritating position to be in for you both. Personally, I am the type of person that would push back and challenge them on it.

I don't know how helpful this might be;

Error - Cookies Turned Off

www.practicaldiabetes.com

Network Rail Diabetes Management Guidance

www.rmt.org.uk

From the above link;
'where medical restrictions have been placed post an Occupational Health Physician consultation.' - this seems to be the deciding factor. Given that things were fine until a medical with an uneducated examiner (towards the glucose monitoring equipment came into the picture)

I would argue this with them. I have no idea where NWR draw the line on this, I feel they are stepping dangerously close to discrimination here. If your son has proven fitness, and good control (slightly high readings over a shorter time does not count as ill health), I would definitely consider seeking professional advice if you aren't getting anywhere.

I can't find anything specifically on any NWR documentation about exact restrictions for Type 1 diabetes, they seems to be guidelines, but no crystal clear exceptions other than what seems based on an Occupational Health Physician consultation (if there is anything, I can't find it, nor have I even been shown it). I will definitely reach out to contacts I have, and make some enquiries to see if I help in any way. (As a fellow diabetic, reading about this kind of situation, not only saddens me, but irritates the hell out of me too).

Thanks for your research Frank87,
Just to answer a couple of your questions, I work for NWR & have done the usual long drives & weekend nights for all those years.
The competencies removed are Lookout, Barrier Man, Possession Support plus presumably any other ticket which could involve him ever being alone on or near the track. As a trackman, these are part of the fundamental requirements for progression up through the gangs, and he will probably always be left as the guy swinging a hammer whilst others gain broader experiences.
There are a lot of ironies in his situation, mostly brought on (I believe) by a fundamental lack of understanding of modern Diabetic control technologies by what is a large and relatively faceless organisation. I wonder if more empathy would be shown if someone senior within the NWR training organisation also had Type 1 and was motivated to look for solutions rather than erecting barriers.
For example, supplying a mentor who understood Diabetes who could guide a young person starting off in a career through these sorts of situations. If I had not worked for NWR and done a bit of work / research in the background to anticipate some of the obstacles on the path ahead I am not convinced he would even have got the original job offer.
As for some of the ironies:
1/. NWR state in their external policy statement that anyone with a disability (as defined by the 2010 Equality Act) will be guaranteed an interview when applying for an apprenticeship to follow the NVQ Level 1/2/3 route, he applied, guess what - no interview even though he quite clearly stated Diabetes Type 1 on the application.
2/. He then joined NWR as a trackman, not an apprentice, I did a bit of research and managed to contact someone senior in training who told me they positively encouraged existing employees to participate in the NVQ Level 1/2/3 training route, all he had to do was talk to his manager. He talked to his manager, who told him he would not be considered as he didn't show enough initiative. When asked for an explanation he was told he had not applied for a Technician post that had been advertised. The irony here is that the advert stated NVQ Level 1/2 (or working towards) preferred, which is why he didn't apply.
3/. He has now had restrictions of "must be accompanied on the track" added to his Sentinal card, yet he can get in a NWR vehicle on his own and legally drive 100 miles up the M1 at the end of a night shift.
4/. Due to improved modern controls, Type 1's can now hold a PSV licence, and as such he could adapt his sugar levels to meet the requirements of that job, yet adapting them to meet his current job and environment has meant the removal of his tickets.

 

[countduckula55]

Thanks for your research Frank87,
Just to answer a couple of your questions, I work for NWR & have done the usual long drives & weekend nights for all those years.
The competencies removed are Lookout, Barrier Man, Possession Support plus presumably any other ticket which could involve him ever being alone on or near the track. As a trackman, these are part of the fundamental requirements for progression up through the gangs, and he will probably always be left as the guy swinging a hammer whilst others gain broader experiences.
There are a lot of ironies in his situation, mostly brought on (I believe) by a fundamental lack of understanding of modern Diabetic control technologies by what is a large and relatively faceless organisation. I wonder if more empathy would be shown if someone senior within the NWR training organisation also had Type 1 and was motivated to look for solutions rather than erecting barriers.
For example, supplying a mentor who understood Diabetes who could guide a young person starting off in a career through these sorts of situations. If I had not worked for NWR and done a bit of work / research in the background to anticipate some of the obstacles on the path ahead I am not convinced he would even have got the original job offer.
As for some of the ironies:
1/. NWR state in their external policy statement that anyone with a disability (as defined by the 2010 Equality Act) will be guaranteed an interview when applying for an apprenticeship to follow the NVQ Level 1/2/3 route, he applied, guess what - no interview even though he quite clearly stated Diabetes Type 1 on the application.
2/. He then joined NWR as a trackman, not an apprentice, I did a bit of research and managed to contact someone senior in training who told me they positively encouraged existing employees to participate in the NVQ Level 1/2/3 training route, all he had to do was talk to his manager. He talked to his manager, who told him he would not be considered as he didn't show enough initiative. When asked for an explanation he was told he had not applied for a Technician post that had been advertised. The irony here is that the advert stated NVQ Level 1/2 (or working towards) preferred, which is why he didn't apply.
3/. He has now had restrictions of "must be accompanied on the track" added to his Sentinal card, yet he can get in a NWR vehicle on his own and legally drive 100 miles up the M1 at the end of a night shift.
4/. Due to improved modern controls, Type 1's can now hold a PSV licence, and as such he could adapt his sugar levels to meet the requirements of that job, yet adapting them to meet his current job and environment has meant the removal of his tickets.

I'm in a similar position with N/R having worked for them for over 20 years. I have been a type 2 for many years but recently had to start using insulin. Optima Health instantly stood my down from my signalling position and N/R forced me to go off sick. I was told by an optima health doctor about the dexcom/libre devices and how good they were and to try and get one from the NHS, so if/when I get back to work would prevent me having to fingerprick every 2 hours. Now I've been told by N/R that they don't think they accept these as reliable and I will have to test every 2 hours. I have a review with OH soon but not holding my breath.