Does sleep apnea mean an automatic driving ban in the UK?
Question:
I don’t know if it’s automatic – it most likely depends on the symptoms your friend is displaying, and the good news is that once it’s successfully treated (which IS possible) it won’t be considered a problem at all. Regardless of the driving problems, it’s vitally important your friend gets tested, and if diagnosed, treated. Long term, if left untreated, apnea can be fatal – it affects your heart and your brain – as any method of oxygen deprivation would – especially long term. Do whatever it takes to get her to a sleep doc. Beth in Australia "Alasdair Baxter" <l…@llb.me.uk> wrote in message
news:kp0ga0lgkunqaldsfr87mq8f38pd3h957a@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->A friend of mine suffers from sleep apnea, or so she claims, but she > refuses to visit her GP because she claims that a positive diagnosis > means an automatic disqualification from driving. > Is this the case, anyone? > — > Alasdair Baxter, Nottingham, UK.Tel +44 115 9705100; Fax +44 115 9423263 > "It’s not what you say that matters but how you say it. > It’s not what you do that matters but how you do it"
Response:
On Mon, 17 May 2004 01:13:50 +0100, Alasdair Baxter <l…@llb.me.uk> wrote: >A friend of mine suffers from sleep apnea, or so she claims, but she >refuses to visit her GP because she claims that a positive diagnosis >means an automatic disqualification from driving. >Is this the case, anyone?
I live in the UK, have OSA and went through this issue a few months ago. A positive diagnosis of OSA, as well as other sleep disorders does *not* mean an automatic disqualification from driving. However, after a diagnosis it is a legal requirement to inform the DVLA – not doing so is a criminal offence which can carry a custodial sentence. There is a lot of information on this on the DVLA web site in the medical section. The important point is that the DVLA will only withdraw a license if the condition is untreated. If it is treated, then they do not. For a person who does not drive professionally, they will often accept a written declaration from the patient, but may check with the consultant. For a professional driver (e.g. lorry, bus, taxi etc), they may require follow up on a regular basis. The situation is not as bad as it sounds and the DVLA is simply acting in the public interest. In practical terms, events run as follows: – Patient visits GP and discusses condition. Asks for NHS or private referral. Almost invariably in the UK, this is going to be a pulmonologist (respiratory specialist). If the person is driving for their job, it may be possible to get an early NHS referral. Private medical insurance will cover consultation and an overnight sleep study. – Patient sees consultant who will typically arrange sleep study, but will also do some basic respiratory tests such as flow. They may also do an Epworth Sleepiness Test. this is a questionnaire tha tcan be downloaded from the internet and done oneself. If honestly answered, it is not a bad indicator. – Patient undergoes overnight study and follow up with consultant. At this point, if OSA is diagnosed, the typical treatment is nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure equipment (CPAP or nCPAP). This is considered by most pulmonologists to be the gold standard because it is normally effective and is noninvasive. Surgery in the throat area such as UPPP is now pretty much deprecated in the UK. CPAP equipment is available through the NHS but can be purchased as well – cost is in the
