Friday 05 September 2014
Guernsey Press enquiry:
This enquiry follows from the story run by the BBC relating to medical reports being needed for driving licences. I understand there has been a sharp rise. If you could send through the figures, along with some information about who needs to get a medical and why the rise has happened, that would be a great a help.
Response:
Recording of medical cases referred to the Environment Department was computerised in 2008 following the introduction of a new combined Driver and Vehicle Licensing system. In 2008 the Department processed a total of 431 driving licence applications with associated medical cases.
The Department considers each medical related application individually, in accordance with local Driver Licensing legislation and uses the latest UK Medical Standard of Fitness to Drive as a guide to assist in this process. These standards are reviewed by the Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel every six months in order to ensure that the guidance is kept up to date with the latest thinking on the effects and treatments of various medical conditions. Demographic changes and lifestyle changes have also led to people living longer and therefore medical conditions likely to affect driving standards are changing with a rise in the number of people with conditions such as late onset of Diabetes Mellitus, early onset of Dementia, high blood pressure in the over 70's requiring continuous medication and Sleep Apnoea to name but four. These conditions in themselves do not automatically debar you from driving but it is important that these conditions are considered and our driving licence application forms have been amended to include reference to such conditions.
The situation in Guernsey is no different and with an ageing population it is unsurprising that the number of medical conditions being declared on driving licence applications is rising. The Department currently processes in the order of 200 medically related driving licence applications per month.
If any driving licence holder has concerns about medical conditions and their driving licence, the Department's medicals team would be happy to talk in the strictest confidence.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
