52 | Private Hire News | ISSUE 71 | AUTUMN 2015 www.lphca.co.uk | lphca@btinternet.com | @LPHCA

Talking of GRADING...DRIVERS

Fitness to drive for Private Hire Vehicle and Taxi drivers who have had heart problems The LPHCA is very aware that for Private Hire Vehicle & Taxi Drivers there can be many difficulties to overcome regarding a Heart Problem, whether it is because of a Heart Condition or even a Heart Attack.The biggest source of medical calls to our office relates to Heart Problems. We used to receive many calls relating to diabetes but since better guidelines and rules were issued, following campaigning by the LPHCA, GMB and Private Hire Board, heart-related problems are now the main enquiries we receive.

Whilst Heart Problems are complex they certainly don’t necessarily amount to ‘the end of the road’ for every Private Hire Vehicle & Taxi Driver who has one. As we said a long while ago, a licensed driver who has been treated for a condition that is known is a lot safer than many drivers whose medical conditions are not yet known.

All Licensing Authorities have a duty of care to the travelling public and of course to the driver too as they must ensure that they are fit to drive for everyone’s wellbeing and safety.

DVLA Group 2 requirementsThe Government has instructed all Private Hire Vehicle & Taxi Driver licensing authorities that all drivers must demonstrate much higher levels of fitness to drive than were previously required. Currently these are the same standards applied to lorry and bus drivers. You can see these standards in detail on the DVLA website under DVLA Group 2 requirements.

www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/aag.aspx

So when a driver or one of our member operators calls to seek help, one of the main issues is the cost of appealing against loss of a licence, alongside the costs of getting assessed for fitness to get a licence back.

This also applies to new drivers with a known heart condition who would also need to provide at his or her cost ‘proof of fitness to drive a Taxi or Private Hire Vehicle.

Expensive CostsWe have heard stories from Drivers and Operators that costs move from hundreds into thousands, so we were delighted to hear from Dr Robert Greenbaum, a Past President of the Cardiology Section of The Royal Society of Medicine, who has put together information about Heart Problems below. We are also extremely pleased that Dr Greenbaum’s costs appear to be considerably less than the fees that we usually hear about and he hopes to maintain lower prices by helping as many Private Hire Vehicle & Taxi Drivers as possible.

The LPHCA is therefore pleased to inform all Drivers and Operators through this Talking of Drivers article.

Standards required for drivers with a history of heart diseaseMany drivers who have had a heart problem will need to pass one or more of the tests below in order to continue to drive.

Summary of Rules for specific heart problems

1. Drivers who have had a heart attack

a. At least 6 weeks after the attack

b. Free of angina for six weeks

c. Pass a 9 minute treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol)

d. May also need to have an Echocardiogram

2. Drivers who have had an angioplasty / stent

a. At least 6 weeks after the angioplasty / stent

b. Free of angina for six weeks

c. Pass a 9 minute treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol)

3. Drivers who have had bypass surgery (CABG)

a. At least three months after the operation

b. Free of angina for six weeks

c. Pass a 9 minute treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol)

d. Echocardiogram to show that the LVEF (pumping power of the heart) is at least 40%

www.lphca.co.uk | lphca@btinternet.com | @LPHCA Private Hire News | ISSUE 71 | AUTUMN 2015 | 53

Fitness to drive for Private Hire Vehicle and Taxi drivers who have had heart problems

Heart Tests for Private Hire Drivers

Offer for LPHCA Members

THE WOOD STREET CLINIC

THE WOOD STREET CLINIC

Contact us The Wood Street Clinic, 133 Wood Street,

Barnet Herts EN5 4BXTel: 020 8449 7656 • www.thewoodstreetclinic.com

enquiries@woodstreetclinic.com

The Heart Centre for Private Hire DriversDo you need an Exercise Test and / or

Echocardiogram (to measure LVEF) for TFL or other authorities?

We can help with our fast, efficient service and special low rates.

We are now providing Stress Echocardiography (Functional testing) when required.

We understand that your living can depend on these tests.

Follow us on @WoodStClinic

Talking of GRADING...DRIVERS

For each of these groups if you cannot walk on a treadmill successfully, then completing a Stress Echocardiogram will be acceptable.

Currently tests have to be repeated every three years.

There are a wide range of other heart conditions that can affect drivers. In a short article I cannot give all the answers.

A more detailed discussion is on my website www.theheart.co.uk/drivers/fitness-requirements

Who I amMy name is Dr Robert Greenbaum. I am a Senior Consultant Cardiologist working in London both for the NHS and in private practice. I see, assess and treat patients with all forms of heart disease. I am a Past President of the Cardiology Section of The Royal Society of Medicine. My private practice is based at The Wood Street Clinic in Barnet, North London. In my practice I have a modern treadmill and echocardiography equipment. Other than through my practice I am connected with the driving trade. I have seen and treated many private hire drivers with heart disease over many years in practice.

I understand the importance of testing to private hire drivers. I have treated many and realise that their livelihood depends on the results of these tests. I have developed a high quality, accessible and economic service aimed at private hire drivers in and around London.

Treadmill exercise test – £189

Echocardiogram (For LVEF) – £209

Stress Echocardiogram – £459

With no “extras”

To arrange any of the tests listed above please contact my team at the Wood Street Clinic on 020 8449 7656. Alternatively you can email us at: enquiries@woodstreetclinic.com.

Tests for licencing purposes are not available through the NHS.

We can let you know what tests you need. I do understand just how important these tests are for drivers – your living is at stake. In order to help you we offer a fast, efficient, competitively priced service for the tests you require.