This is useful advice. I once took a management referral for a nurse who was
having treatment for seizures following a workplace assault. Her seizures
were not fully controlled. She disclosed that she was driving to work as
using public transport was not compatible with her work location nor some of
her shift patterns. I highlighted the implications of a seizure whilst
driving. She had not thought of the implications for her as an NMC
registrant of putting the safety of others, and herself at risk. I followed
the procedure Karen has highlighted below. I also pointed out that if she
cotinued to drive then I had a duty of care both as a member of the public
and a registrant to report this to the DVLA.
I used this as a case study when teaching a lecture on ethics for general
nurses. The students were horrified that I would even consider a breach of
what they saw as "patient confidentiality" by making a report to the DVLA.
Anne
On 02/02/2017 10:48, "Karen Coomer" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi Cathy
> As far as I am aware just two health professional bodies have produced
> guidance on this, if you are looking at this I expect you have reviewed the
> guidance but for information to others itıs the GMC and College of
> Optometrists, be good if the FOM also produced guidance for OH professionals I
> think.
>
> http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/30117.asp
>
> http://guidance.college-optometrists.org/guidance-contents/communication-partn
> ership-and-teamwork-domain/confidentiality/#open:209
>
> I quite like the Optometric guidance as it has clear steps a health
> professional should take which can be formulated into a procedure and then
> letter. Eg,
> If you decide to proceed, you should:
> 1) first advise the patient that they are unfit to engage in the
> activity in question and give the reasons
> 2) advise the patient to tell the appropriate authority
> 3) put your advice in writing to the patient, if appropriate, and
> 4) keep a copy of any correspondence to the patient on the patient
> record.
>
> If you conclude the public interest outweighs the duty of confidentiality,
> for example a patient who has told you that they intend to commit a crime or
> who continues to drive after being told not to, you should, if appropriate,
> notify the:
> 1) relevant authority, and provide evidence of clinical findings
> 2) patientıs GP of the action being taken, and the patient.
>
> Karen
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> Of Cathy Martin
> Sent: 01 February 2017 09:24
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] DVLA notification
>
> We are looking at how we deal with the DVLA's guidance about the notification
> of any relevant condition to the DVLA by doctors and health professionals.
> This states that they must notify the DVLA when fitness to drive requires
> notification but an individual cannot or will not notify the DVLA themselves.
> Taking into account confidentiality and potential conflicts with other
> interested parties e.g. employers, has anyone developed a policy or template
> letter to notify the DVLA or the individual's GP and if so would you mind
> sharing?
>
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