Medicals

[Andrew32]

I have noticed recently that individuals have been given short notices regarding courses and asked to attend a medical within a week of thier start date.

If anyone fails a medical, do they technically do themselves out of a job or am I missing something?

What I mean is giving up thier old job and failing thier medical and not gaining a contract of employment with the toc they intend to work for resulting in having no job at all and the position not being filled until the next available course?

PM me if you wish, i'm not saying it's wrong, just curious.

 

[muz379]

I have noticed recently that individuals have been given short notices regarding courses and asked to attend a medical within a week of thier start date.

If anyone fails a medical, do they technically do themselves out of a job or am I missing something?

What I mean is giving up thier old job and failing thier medical and not gaining a contract of employment with the toc they intend to work for resulting in having no job at all and the position not being filled until the next available course?

I was a bit worried about handing my notice in with my current employer before having my med but i didn't get a choice ,


Ive already signed my contract and start on Monday the 3rd February ,My medical is on Thursday the 30th Jan , I dont personally think that the HR department at northern will process them medical results if they even receive them before I start training , and my offer of employment letter says I have until April to provide a satisfactory medical result and references so I'm assuming you can start training without a medical result .


the way I see it is based on something I asked at my interview about not being able to meet requirements for the job once I started training - Basically what would happen if I repeatedly couldn't pass a part of the training and the conductor manager said after they'd exhausted all training options then the organization would look for another role that you could carry out be that revenue protection or station customer service something along them lines - I assume this would be the same case if you couldn't pass the medical they might look for something else for you to do .

however ultimately as it says in my welcome pack if you cant meet the standards then this could lead to the end of your employment , but the way I see it is that's just contractual got to be in there as it is with any employment contract , they have to cover their own back

If I where you and there was anything you are worried about Id go and see your DR and ask them to check you over , I was worried cos I am a bit big on the BMI scale (albeit active and loosing weight at the rate of .75/1kg a week ) and this might effect my blood pressure but I got it checked by the DR and its a slightly higher than "healthy" but nowhere near critical/dangerous levels . Im a regular blood donor as well so I always get a mini checkup before I donate so Id know if there was something drastically wrong with me

Ill let you know after Thursday what the medical entails as well . Im not expecting it to be too testing tbh , weight and measure me , check my pulse bp , provide pee sample and breath in the tube and then have my ears and eyes checked , Probe the usual questionnaire "do you have a family history of 'x' illness as well "

 

[Andrew32]

I don't have anything wrong with me apart from the fact that I used to produce to many red blood cells making my blood sticky.

This stopped about two years ago after treatment and I just go for six monthly checkups now.

The hemotologist said he'd provide northern with a letter if need.

Just eager to get on tbh, been waiting 9 months now.

Thanks for the reply, explains it somewhat and good luck with your medical.

 

[hutchy]

Congrats Andrew!
I had a medical last Thursday (for Scotrail) no blood was taken so as long as your honest in your medical questionnaire you will be fine im sure

 

[Pilgrim]

It is the medical that worries me most if I'm honest(if I get that far). I have a bmi of 36 but I'm fairly active and don't have high blood pressure.

 

[muz379]

It is the medical that worries me most if I'm honest(if I get that far). I have a bmi of 36 but I'm fairly active and don't have high blood pressure.

ive read loads of differing things about medicals as well ive not got a clear answer yet . Ive got a bmi of 32/33 currently but since last september ive brought my bmi down from 37 by loosing about 12kg and i aim to get it down another 20 kg by the end of this year . I work in a manual job so Its not like I cant cope with the demands of the job just hope the staff at the med apply common sense when making their decision

 

[Carlisle]

I was a bit worried about handing my notice in with my current employer before having my med but i didn't get a choice ,


Ive already signed my contract and start on Monday the 3rd February ,My medical is on Thursday the 30th Jan , I dont personally think that the HR department at northern will process them medical results if they even receive them before I start training , and my offer of employment letter says I have until April to provide a satisfactory medical result and references so I'm assuming you can start training without a medical result .


the way I see it is based on something I asked at my interview about not being able to meet requirements for the job once I started training - Basically what would happen if I repeatedly couldn't pass a part of the training and the conductor manager said after they'd exhausted all training options then the organization would look for another role that you could carry out be that revenue protection or station customer service something along them lines - I assume this would be the same case if you couldn't pass the medical they might look for something else for you to do .

however ultimately as it says in my welcome pack if you cant meet the standards then this could lead to the end of your employment , but the way I see it is that's just contractual got to be in there as it is with any employment contract , they have to cover their own back

If I where you and there was anything you are worried about Id go and see your DR and ask them to check you over , I was worried cos I am a bit big on the BMI scale (albeit active and loosing weight at the rate of .75/1kg a week ) and this might effect my blood pressure but I got it checked by the DR and its a slightly higher than "healthy" but nowhere near critical/dangerous levels . Im a regular blood donor as well so I always get a mini checkup before I donate so Id know if there was something drastically wrong with me

Ill let you know after Thursday what the medical entails as well . Im not expecting it to be too testing tbh , weight and measure me , check my pulse bp , provide pee sample and breath in the tube and then have my ears and eyes checked , Probe the usual questionnaire "do you have a family history of 'x' illness as well "

Good luck with everything ,hope it works out , in the jobs I have had it's been a 3 or 6 month probationary period and if it goes ok great , if not your out ,simple as ,seen it so many times with different folk not right but that seems to be the way at most places I know these days ,maybe middle managemt trying to make a name for themselves and impress their seniors etc ,I dunno

 

[LBSCR Times]

Good luck with everything ,hope it works out , in the jobs I have had it's been a 3 or 6 month probationary period and if it goes ok great , if not your out ,simple as ,seen it so many times with different folk not right but that seems to be the way at most places I know these days ,maybe middle managemt trying to make a name for themselves and impress their seniors etc ,I dunno

Happened in BR days too.
If you went for a ticket office post, then you were on probation for 6 months.
If you applied for a clerical post at HQ then you were in OK!

 

[muz379]

my probationary period is 6 months with a clause allowing them to extend it if necessary not that there's any point in doing that imo , Although my understanding is the most likely time for them to get rid of you is during training if you cant learn a certain thing .

even after the probation just like any contract of employment there is still provisions in the contract for them to get rid of you assuming that you do something that your not meant to . so your never completely safe from dismissal .

 

[DaveBram]

Hi, new member ex railway.

Standard medicals, consist of Eye test to see the optical chart of letters, colour blindness test of the usual red and green, blue and yellow flip book with numbers in(don't fail it), as you have to be able to see red and green. Colour blindness is a one major aspect, red is stop, green is go/safe. Then there is the hearing test of high pitch sounds, that test both ears, this another aspect you do not want to fail. Then a final test, drink and drugs test, via peeing in a little bottle, which will be TESTED for any an all drink and drugs, be it prescribed or illegal, so if on prescribe at the time tell them show them the box or bottle with the name on. If you can't pee, you can't leave, or maybe classed as failed, so I suggest drink water, water, water. Hint, don't pee in the sample bottle at first, pee towards the back of the toilet without hitting the water in bowl. Then pass a quick sample/squirt in to the sample bottle, btw aim well because if you can't pee in that your eye sight gone. Then empty your bladder into the toilet water to create the sound.

Bloodpressure is another, relax. What ever the Dr asks be trueful, because you can be/will be tested in the future. Plus, you can be called up random selected for future drink and drugs testing, and given 24-48 hrs notice. Or if involved in any on line inccident that could be suspected.

DaveBram payno.7666 BritishRail, Nimco, Jarvis, Network Rail(Offtrack) 1987-2010 acting charge hand works/maintaince. PTS, COSS, ES, PICOP, LOOKOUT, HS, and more.

 

[david_VI]

so I suggest drink water, water, water. Hint, don't pee in the sample bottle at first, pee towards the back of the toilet without hitting the water in bowl. Then pass a quick sample/squirt in to the sample bottle, btw aim well because if you can't pee in that your eye sight gone. Then empty your bladder into the toilet water to create the sound.

Can you explain this? Sounds interesting.. What's the theory behind not hitting the water and then creating the sound afterwards?

 

[stevienash]

I failed my medical with ATW for a conductor role last August. I got a boaderline pass on my hearing but would not take me on!

On my application status it say application on hold

 

[High Dyke]

It is the medical that worries me most if I'm honest(if I get that far). I have a bmi of 36 but I'm fairly active and don't have high blood pressure.

It probably isn't too much to worry about. I had my recent medical this week - though i'm already employed on the railway. However the nurse did state that BMI is relative to height and weight. My blood pressure does not give any cause for concern or medical treatment.

Alright i could do with losing a bit more weight...i'm a bit self concious about my body. My BMI puts me in the obese range...according to NHS guidelines. However i have a moderately active lifestyle, usually meeting the guidelines for weekly exercise - though shift work can also make a difference to how exercise is taken.

I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[bob hope]

Anyone know what additional tests are carried out for the new medicals to meet the European license requirements?

I have to attend a "top-up" medical shortly as I have been on hold since passing the old style medical last Autumn.

 

[High Dyke]

Anyone know what additional tests are carried out for the new medicals to meet the European license requirements?

I have to attend a "top-up" medical shortly as I have been on hold since passing the old style medical last Autumn.

Not sure about that Bob... Though this time was the first time i was asked to take a breathalyser test. My last railway medical was 4 years ago.

 

[scotraildriver]

Anyone know what additional tests are carried out for the new medicals to meet the European license requirements?

I have to attend a "top-up" medical shortly as I have been on hold since passing the old style medical last Autumn.

2 bizarre things in the new medical are that when you first arrive they will give you 3 words to remember. They will then suddenly ask you to recall them at some point during the medical! Secondly they ask you to hold a book, drop it then pick it up again and see if you a trembling! No idea what its all about though or what its meant to prove.

 

[TheVicLine]

I think it varies, there is an enhanced eye test, the nurse said to me that it is pretty much 20/20 vision required (corrected or un-corrected). Various additional co-ordination tests, and I had draw a cube on paper drop it on the floor and pick it up...

There is also an ECG and diabetes test that I don't think anyone has mentioned. I went for the European licence top up medical and was informed by BUPA that they were stopped on Jan 1st and had to have a full medical again, although this may just be for my company.

 

[Wolf]

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32007L0059:EN:NOT

new EU medical standards are in Annex II

 

[Andrew32]

What's 20/20 vision?

Being able to see the big letter on the eyechart without glasses?

 

[muz379]

I worked with an optometrist for a short while before I went to uni and he said to me 20/20 vision is just a measure of sharpness and clarity , it means you can make things out at 20ft from that chart that a normal person can make out on the chart at 20 ft which is the second line up from the bottom . To put that into perspective the standards of vision required for driving is to be able to see the third line up from the bottom or 20/30

He said for occupational eye testing they are going to want to look at a range of things not just that you can see the right things on the chart at 20 feet so for example color vision , peripheral vision and your depth perception etc .

 

[Andrew32]

I wear glasses to correct my vision for reading and driving

 

[muz379]

ive got glasses for distance vision but as of yet my eyesight hasn't deteriorated to the level that I need them for driving .
my understanding is that your vision needs to be 20/30 with or without glasses

 

[Andrew32]

So I should be ok then?

Don't understand all these figures

 

[muz379]

Assuming your optometrist is happy that with glasses your vision is ok for you to drive I cant see that this would be a problem meeting the vision requirements at the medical
But if I where in your situation id go and get it double checked before my medical explaining exactly what it is that you need to be sure of to the optometrist cos I wouldn't want to leave anything to chance falling at the last hurdle would be the worst

 

[Andrew32]

Had them checked in July and given slightly stronger glasses so should be ok.

 

[Emilymay86]

I failed my medical with ATW for a conductor role last August. I got a boaderline pass on my hearing but would not take me on!

On my application status it say application on hold

Did you know you had poor hearing?? Were you aware it could fail or was this completely unexpected?

 

[david_VI]

I've got a bit of hearing loss in my right ear.. high frequencies n all. Down to playing guitar with an amp 75% of the time on the right side of me in rehearsals.. silly really.

Hope it isn't too much.. if I get to the medical stage!

 

[aw123]

I was a bit worried about handing my notice in with my current employer before having my med but i didn't get a choice ,


Ive already signed my contract and start on Monday the 3rd February ,My medical is on Thursday the 30th Jan , I dont personally think that the HR department at northern will process them medical results if they even receive them before I start training , and my offer of employment letter says I have until April to provide a satisfactory medical result and references so I'm assuming you can start training without a medical result .


the way I see it is based on something I asked at my interview about not being able to meet requirements for the job once I started training - Basically what would happen if I repeatedly couldn't pass a part of the training and the conductor manager said after they'd exhausted all training options then the organization would look for another role that you could carry out be that revenue protection or station customer service something along them lines - I assume this would be the same case if you couldn't pass the medical they might look for something else for you to do .

however ultimately as it says in my welcome pack if you cant meet the standards then this could lead to the end of your employment , but the way I see it is that's just contractual got to be in there as it is with any employment contract , they have to cover their own back

If I where you and there was anything you are worried about Id go and see your DR and ask them to check you over , I was worried cos I am a bit big on the BMI scale (albeit active and loosing weight at the rate of .75/1kg a week ) and this might effect my blood pressure but I got it checked by the DR and its a slightly higher than "healthy" but nowhere near critical/dangerous levels . Im a regular blood donor as well so I always get a mini checkup before I donate so Id know if there was something drastically wrong with me

Ill let you know after Thursday what the medical entails as well . Im not expecting it to be too testing tbh , weight and measure me , check my pulse bp , provide pee sample and breath in the tube and then have my ears and eyes checked , Probe the usual questionnaire "do you have a family history of 'x' illness as well "

If its a conductor role BMI doesn't come into it, I've just had my medical and nurse said my BMI was high ( gave me a little lecture) but then said it didn't matter for conductor role.:roll:

 

[Emilymay86]

I've got a bit of hearing loss in my right ear.. high frequencies n all. Down to playing guitar with an amp 75% of the time on the right side of me in rehearsals.. silly really.

Hope it isn't too much.. if I get to the medical stage!

Haha identical to my husband! Guitar too loud for years! Don't think he has hearing loss but I wouldn't know about passing a medical

 

[muz379]

If its a conductor role BMI doesn't come into it, I've just had my medical and nurse said my BMI was high ( gave me a little lecture) but then said it didn't matter for conductor role.:roll:

Thanks , that's a huge weight off my mind even tho im loosing the weight anyway Its just a slow process , just the hearing test to worry about now although as far as I know my hearing is fine and no reason to suspect otherwise