Doctors Urged to Be More Careful on Medical Examination Forms

Before an individual can begin HGV lessons, a routine medical examination must be passed. That examination is given by an NHS GP or another doctor approved by the government to conduct such exams. Doctors conducting the exams are required to fill out assessment paperwork as part of the process.

A recent spike in the number of error claims being reported to the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) has led the organisation to warn doctors to be more careful, particularly where HGV licence exams are concerned.

Experts say that just a single mistake can lead to unintended consequences resulting in a claim. For example, MDDUS risk advisor Alan Frame told On Medica of one case involving a driver who was prevented from working because an error in his assessment paperwork delayed the renewal of his licence. He made a claim with the MDDUS for lost wages.

The MDDUS attributes the increase in errors to GPs being stretched ever more thinly. The HGV assessment paperwork seems to be especially problematic because it can be confusing at times. Doctors already rushed through their days may not necessarily pay attention to the individual details of each case, leading to errors and potential liability claims.

The Exception, Not the Rule

We believe it is important to point out that errors with medical assessment forms are the exception, not the rule. It has been our experience that most GPs correctly fill out forms without issue. And of course, drivers are not without recourse when errors do occur.

We want to do our apart at the HGV Training Centre by assisting all of our students in any way we can. For new drivers who have not been through the system before, we offer step-by-step guidance from start to finish. This includes making sure all of your medical paperwork is in order and submitted correctly. We cannot change what your doctor does with your forms, but we can make sure you know what you need to do to fulfil the requirements of the law.

New drivers can begin taking HGV lessons as soon as they submit medical paperwork, receive their provisional entitlement, and pass the HGV theory test. All of that initial work can be completed in 10 to 14 business days. After that, we will take you through a series of training classes designed to impart knowledge in the classroom and skill behind the wheel. Once you complete your training, you will be more than ready to take your final test at an approved government facility.

The HGV Training Centre is proud to be one of the leading providers of HGV lessons and commercial driver training covering nearly every class of vehicle. We can train you to operate a lorry, tipper truck, van, coach, bus, or forklift. We even offer training for horseboxes and heavy construction equipment. If you would like more information about earning your commercial driver licence, do not hesitate to contact the HGV Training Centre.

Sources:

On Medica – http://www.onmedica.com/newsarticle.aspx?id=2faa0e4b-f04b-4311-8837-c33ad5e0a7d5