Helpful Information

This is a list of helpful documents and information:

HSE Dive Medicals

At the earliest possible stage, it is in their own interest that people considering a career in diving should complete a medical questionnaire that looks at whether anything in their medical history would preclude them from a long-term career in diving. The questionnaire can be found in Annex A, p25 of the HSC's document 'The Medical Assessment and Examination of Divers (MA1)' which can be downloaded from here: MA1.

After completion of the questionnaire by the candidate diver it needs confirmation by the diver’s GP. The GP is not required to physically examine the diver to confirm the medical history. General advice to the GP on medical standards for diving is contained on the HSE Diving Website. The medical questionnaire should be examined by the AMED. The presence of a disqualifying medical condition at this stage may avoid the expense of inappropriately proceeding to a full initial HSE medical examination.

Before beginning training and or assessment you must pass an initial medical examination carried out by an AMED (Approved Medical Examiner of Divers) to ensure you are medically fit to dive. The AMED also needs to make you aware of any underlying health problems, which could affect your fitness in the future. If you pass the medical you will be issued with a certificate of medical fitness to dive, which is valid for up to 12 months. This must be renewed annually and will include a fitness test.

For the initial medical examination it is important to bring with you the above referred to questionnaire, signed and stamped by your GP. If you do not, I shall be unable to proceed with the examination.

 

Oil & Gas UK (UKOOA) Medicals

Every offshore worker must undergo and pass a medical examination which classifies them as medically fit to work in the offshore environment. For UK waters, only physicians who are approved by the Oil & Gas UK Health Advisory Committee, should carry out the examination. Oil & Gas UK's former title is UKOOA.
 
The offshore medical certificate, as it is commonly known, is only valid for a limited time, and you need to renew it to continue working offshore. For UK waters, all assets are controlled by Oil & Gas UK, and renewals, as from 1st January 2007, are required every 2 years irrespective of your age.

If you do make a booking at the surgery, please download this UKOOA medical questionnaire form, complete it, print a copy off and bring it with you when you come for the medical. You can either complete the form filling in the boxes and dropdown menus on your PC (use the 'Tab' button on the keyboard to move from box to box) or print it off and complete it by hand.

LGV/PCV Medicals

The DVLA sets the medical standards for Group 2 driving licence entitlement. There is some useful information that you can download here that outlines some of the important points of the medical at the surgery.

A D4 medical form will need to be filled out by the doctor at the time of your examination. You can download a D4 form here, although we do have plenty of them at the surgery. There is a very useful explanatory leaflet about the D4 form called INFD4 which can be downloaded here.

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