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The medical assessment
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Poonhead83
Member
Hi, depends on the position applied for?
For a driver it's a full medical sight, hearing, ECG, drugs and alcohol and just general medical questions. Don't hide anything because they will find out, honesty from the beginning
For a driver it's a full medical sight, hearing, ECG, drugs and alcohol and just general medical questions. Don't hide anything because they will find out, honesty from the beginning
Newapplicant
Member
Personally, I have never been through a train driver's medical assessment however I have been through one for a police officer which a number of friends who are now train drivers said was exactly the same.
Within the police you are given a medical vetting questionnaire to complete before going for your medical, I suspect that this would be very much the same with the TOC whereby you are to fill out all medical questions which includes a lot of yes or no answers to pre-existing health conditions. From memory you are also asked to speak about your current medication should you have to take any and alcohol/drug history.
On the day you will be assessed by a medical professional, should there be something that they are unsure of then they will likely refer this on to your GP/Specialist. I cannot say how much your GP can tell them however I would likely think that if it will affect your ability in the role that you are applying for then they will be able to be told. In terms of what they are looking for, it will be suitability in the role from a medical standpoint, IE can you do the role without any medical concerns, is there likelihood that a medical issue will arise whilst at work that could render you not being able to do the role etc. I dare say that they aren't going to be bothered about if you had chickenpox as a child but if you've recently had a heartattack or a mental health episode then they will likely need to know.
As @Poonhead83 has rightly stated - the best thing to do is be honest from the outset as the last thing you want is something coming back to trip you up.
Within the police you are given a medical vetting questionnaire to complete before going for your medical, I suspect that this would be very much the same with the TOC whereby you are to fill out all medical questions which includes a lot of yes or no answers to pre-existing health conditions. From memory you are also asked to speak about your current medication should you have to take any and alcohol/drug history.
On the day you will be assessed by a medical professional, should there be something that they are unsure of then they will likely refer this on to your GP/Specialist. I cannot say how much your GP can tell them however I would likely think that if it will affect your ability in the role that you are applying for then they will be able to be told. In terms of what they are looking for, it will be suitability in the role from a medical standpoint, IE can you do the role without any medical concerns, is there likelihood that a medical issue will arise whilst at work that could render you not being able to do the role etc. I dare say that they aren't going to be bothered about if you had chickenpox as a child but if you've recently had a heartattack or a mental health episode then they will likely need to know.
As @Poonhead83 has rightly stated - the best thing to do is be honest from the outset as the last thing you want is something coming back to trip you up.
Can’t really add much here, however I believe they ask for your authority to request your medical record, rather than speaking to your GP as such. Whether it’s a “watered down” record I’m not sure, likewise I’m not sure what info would be viewable by those requesting the report.
In reality, as long as you meet the required standard in terms of your heart, sight, BP and hearing, there’s generally not much that can go wrong. Just be honest with them and be open about any medication you’re on. If you’re not sure if it’s relevant, speak about it anyway. Mental Health isn’t a taboo subject anymore either, so regardless of if you have a history of mental health concerns, won’t affect the outcome of the medical.
In reality, as long as you meet the required standard in terms of your heart, sight, BP and hearing, there’s generally not much that can go wrong. Just be honest with them and be open about any medication you’re on. If you’re not sure if it’s relevant, speak about it anyway. Mental Health isn’t a taboo subject anymore either, so regardless of if you have a history of mental health concerns, won’t affect the outcome of the medical.
Be honest about past/current medical conditions especially medication you may be taking. If you lie and the toc finds out you’ll be looking for a new job in some instances especially if it’s something that restricts or stops you from doing your job
For a medical I will mention what I say to lots of people:
- It is dependent on what job you are applying for - are you able to tell us what the role is? If not, do you know if you will be classed as "safety critical" or not?
- For roles like driver, conductor/guard, signaller, dispatcher and other roles involved in train movement (e.g. shunters & some controllers) you are "safety critical".
- Safety critical medicals will involve adrugs and alcohol test and sample (urine) taken to be analysed, hearing & eyesight (including colour blindness) tests, BMI and a brief and simple physical test.
- You will be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire before you are seen - make sure you are 100% truthful and put anything in, no matter how irrelevant you think it may be.
- You'll normally be seen by an Occupational Health (OH) nurse/advisor/doctor and this can slightly vary depending on your company.
- The OH professional may ask you supplementary qustions on your medical questionnaire.
- Make sure you reference any medication you are currently taking and dosage/frequency.
- Don't stress out too much - they are not there to trip you up but just need a well-rounded review of your health.
Sorry to jump on the post but I have a medical next week for conductor.. what should I expect from the physical test please? Thank you!
ungreat
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I've just been for my periodical medical so that's me cleared for another 3 years
I had a medical last month. They ask about general health. Eye test, colour blindness and hearing test. Drug and alcohol test and your mobility. They also conduct an ECG. If you’ve never had one then you won’t know if you’ve got a heart issue or not.
I had an ECG and it showed I had palpitations (I’ve had these for 8 years). Been through every cardiac test possible, all showing healthy heart and the palpitations are benign. However, the railway Dr has put me temporarily unfit due to these, despite having a letter from my cardiologist.
So I’m booked in for an ablation on Friday (13th ) and this will totally get rid of them. Once this is done I’ll be signed off.
All I will say is be 100% honest. They can ask for your full medical history, if you lie you’ll find yourself out the door before you even start.
I had an ECG and it showed I had palpitations (I’ve had these for 8 years). Been through every cardiac test possible, all showing healthy heart and the palpitations are benign. However, the railway Dr has put me temporarily unfit due to these, despite having a letter from my cardiologist.
So I’m booked in for an ablation on Friday (13th ) and this will totally get rid of them. Once this is done I’ll be signed off.
All I will say is be 100% honest. They can ask for your full medical history, if you lie you’ll find yourself out the door before you even start.
Very simple really - just leaning down to touch toes (you don’t even need to reach), rotating your arms, lifting your legs etc. Not strenuous at all.
I’m sure I’ve read in RailNews or similar that around 1/3rd of all railway staff are on some form of antidepressants
Thank you!
ungreat
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I had to do a bit more than that today!
What did you have to do ?
Hi. It's a train driver position.
I've been to the Dr's and was referred for tinnitus. I wear glasses. I've had back and knees problems xrays. All years ago.
Thanks
Okay so everything that I mentioned above, with a few more physical aspects and probably an ECG. Declare everything you've mentioned. There's a hearing test and tinnitus may present a problem.
I wasn’t asked for my GP details and nobody has requested my medical file. It was all based on the tests they did on the day, the urine sample, and self declared answers to questionnaires.
So just to say that it’s not a given that a persons medical file will be requested or their GP consulted.
They do not have access to your medical record unless you give them specific permission. I know for a fact from my driver medical that they have not seen my medical history (I have nothing to hide).
My guess is the only time it would get dodgy if someone lied is if they were in an accident and their medical history was then consulted.
With tinnitus if you still suffer with it you may struggle with the hearing test, it’s one of the ones in the booth with big ear defenders on and you press a button when extremely quiet tones sound. I found my own neck bones creaking to be hindering my ability to hear the quietest ones!
My guess is the only time it would get dodgy if someone lied is if they were in an accident and their medical history was then consulted.
With tinnitus if you still suffer with it you may struggle with the hearing test, it’s one of the ones in the booth with big ear defenders on and you press a button when extremely quiet tones sound. I found my own neck bones creaking to be hindering my ability to hear the quietest ones!
MostlyHarmless
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- 1 Mar 2018
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- 998
I just scraped through the hearing test as I had one ear that was absolutely fine and another that was only just within the company limits. This was news to me as I have never had any issues with my ears.
I subsequently asked my GP to refer me to an audiologist and they found hardly any difference at all - and both were well within the limits required. I'm not sure why this was the case but it was good to find our there was nothing wrong!
I subsequently asked my GP to refer me to an audiologist and they found hardly any difference at all - and both were well within the limits required. I'm not sure why this was the case but it was good to find our there was nothing wrong!
Do you happen yo know what the limits for the hearing and eye sight test are? I'm starting to get concerned about my hearing.
dk1
Veteran Member
Any news? How did you get on?
MostlyHarmless
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Im entirely sure so I won't guess. What I would say is that for the eye sight is obviously to take any glasses you need plus your prescription as they well be looking at how much you vision is being corrected.
As for the hearing, if you are concerned and have time then it might be worth getting them looked at by your local GP. If you suffer from ear wax then there is stuff you can get to clear it, and try to pop your ears before the tests start. I didn't and think it's why I had an issue.
Thanks, that's good advice.
Hi guys,
Apologies if I'm hijacking the thread here but i think the question is relevant.
i have my medical coming up soon for a customer service Assistant for TFL, and recently had an injury to one of my eyes taking out most of my vision in that eye. So naturally im a little concerned if i'll pass the medical.
Can anyone advise on what the criteria for the sight test is for a CSA at TFL and if my situation will affect my chances? Thanks in advance.
Dott
Apologies if I'm hijacking the thread here but i think the question is relevant.
i have my medical coming up soon for a customer service Assistant for TFL, and recently had an injury to one of my eyes taking out most of my vision in that eye. So naturally im a little concerned if i'll pass the medical.
Can anyone advise on what the criteria for the sight test is for a CSA at TFL and if my situation will affect my chances? Thanks in advance.
Dott
Standard eyesight test really. You get a free one at any optician so I’d go there and do one, if you pass that you should be ok. I’d also look at the online Ishihara colour blindness test as well
Thanks Eddie,
Do you know if there is a specific minimum pass rate for both eyes individually, i.e. left eye: 14/20 - 20/20, Right eye 14/20-20/20 or is it marked as one score overall? Thanks
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MattyGregs
Member
Reading about these medicals makes me nervy. I’m not a small lad but I work on my feet all day currently doing about 15000 steps a day. My eye sight needs glasses but that is allowed? I am really worried I am going to fail at final huddle to become a conductor. Just have to wait and see how it goes on Friday. Wish me luck I guess
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