tim010

I am currently preparing my application pack for EPS and have got everything ready so far. Sight and hearing have been done and IQAS is in process. I have hit a minor stumbling block today in the medical clearance form that a Doctor has to sign off to complete the PARE.

I visited my GP today and he stated he could not sign it despite it simply being a form to confirm I am healthy enough to take the PARE. He enquired with another GP who also confirmed this to be the case. I was advised that I would either need to go to a private clinic or book a full healthcheck with them which will cost £100!!!

I am currently enquiring with a local private clinic as to whether they can sign off the form and what they need to do. All I need is a simple signature to say I am healthy which I am, but no one wants to commit themselves!!!

Has any one else had a similar problem and if so, how was it resolved?

Thanks in advance.
Tim

nige1521

Tim,

I don't know what their problem is, my GP quite happily signed mine, charged me £15 mind!

Nige

tim010

Thats what I fully expected to happen but for some reason they wanted to over complicate matters. I am in a bit of a quandry now as my GP has told me it will be £100 for a medical healthcheck so they can sign me off. Have rang a private clinic and they are going to get back to me as to how long an appointment they need to sign me off as healthy.

Tim

nige1521

You could always try your force doc via occ health

tim010

Funnily enough my GP suggested I speak to one of the FME's when they are in custody. Surely if one GP can't sign it then another one can't? I really can't see what the fuss is all about!!

Tim

Ashleyg

My GP did mine for £25

tim010

Well I revisited the GP to put to them the fact that several other people in the application process have simply had their forms signed by their GP for the standard price of about £20 but they still would not budge.

I spoke to the practice manager and she said that the GP could not sign the form as if I dropped down dead in the PARE then they could be responsible. I said that someone could drop down dead anytime but they still would not concede despite me having no medical conditions that would be likely to affect me.

In the end they agreed to do a health check with me for £50 which as long as I appear healthy will let them sign the forms! They also said that GP's who have signed the forms too easily are putting themselves at liability should anything happen, but who knows what or if anything would happen should an incident occur on the PARE.

Tim

nige1521

Tim,

Sounds like your surgery is run by Dick Turpin Enterprises!

Nige

tim010

Tell me about it. I have been pulling what little hair I have left out today at the frustration of it all. Got my medical booked for next Thursday so hopefully that will all be in order and I can then send off the forms.

Tim

nige1521

Tim,

Good luck with the medical, I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm going out on about the 7th of May for testing, with the first stage on the 9th of May!

tim010

I think once the application is posted I will feel a little bit more relaxed as its pretty much out of my hands then until they decide whether or not to invite me for testing. On a plus note recruiting seem very helpful whenever I e-mail them!

Tim

gary97

My GP signed it for £20 without any problem. But i had to go privately for hearing test which did cost about £200.

yes you will be relaxed once you post your documents.

tim010

I got my sight test and hearing test both done at Specsavers. Sight test was £20 which I can claim back from my force occupational health and the hearing test was £29 so not too bad in all honesty. Just an inconvenience with this bloody medical clearance form!

Tim