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I think that this needs testing in the courts, as far as I am concerned a "Doctor is a Doctor" and they the LAs are putting a needless cost onto taxi drivers.

Where are the so called "UNIONS" this should already be sorted.

so i rings up the Docs to see how much, £195

cabby john wrote:

Why don't you ask your union to sort it out?

As part of the Sefton Review.. the recommendations that are being placed before council is that a driver can use any doctor...... in fact doctors from both sides of Sefton are being approached by the trade representatives to see if they are prepared to give a competitive rate....

I lost my license for 6 weeks cos of this a couple of years ago :twisted:

I went to renew my license and on booking a medical with the misguided thought that I could just ring up and get an appointment I was told that the doctors had to liaise with each other to determine when they could make an appointment for said medical.

No matter how much I argued that the medical was a simple procedure the doctors receptionists told me that I would have to wait for the doctors agreement to see me.

MR T wrote:

I am registered in Sefton and was also told I HAD to have the appointment with my registered GP despite the fact there are more than 4 GPs available at the practice I'm with :roll:

Anyway 3 weeks later they finally gave me an appointment for a medical, which in the end lasted 5 minutes (so why so much fuss :shock:

), £95 later and I passed with flying colours I went to renew my license with my medical result pressed firmly in my hand only to be told by the blonde bimbo behind the desk that because of the delay with my medical (that the GP practice had caused) my CRB check was out of date and I'd have to wait for that to be renewed :shock:

They told me that could take up to 3 months to sort out.......... DEEP JOY.......NOT :evil:

To say I was distraught was an understatement, how the hell was I supposed to earn a living while these incompetents sorted themselves out?

Luckily for me the firm I work for let me earn money by doing a bit of radio operating to tide me over and fortunately my CRB came back within 3 weeks, 6 weeks later I got my license back, but it could have been a lot worse.

The cost of the license is horrendous but it's not the only issue, the red tape and bureaucracy is also a problem so be warned. Next time my license is up for renewal I will certainly not be doing it a week before it's due, more like 3 months just to be on the safe side :shock:

Sefton hackney and private hire licensing department send out a reminder four to six weeks before any licence is due.... did you not get yours.....

as for CRB checks I personally think they should be in the hands of the police and not in the hands of private company that can alter the fees whenever they see fit.. if the police were in charge any excess revenue could be forced back into providing a better police service instead off making countless millions for one of Tony Blair's friends...

If you have concerns then get your Associations reps to bring them forward to council. if you have concerns regarding the association's... then form your own.... and get your point across yourself ...

Sefton hackney department have been in the process of reviewing the way the department works and what is recommended for both the Hackney and private hire trade for the last 18 months....... and this is now compiled in a128 page document of the recommendations they think should be Put before the committee.... I recommend that you get hold of a copy....

Oh and by the way I only speak from a hackney point of view.. we are always criticised because we make sure we have proper representation....... now I personally think that the criticism should be that private hire drivers fail miserably to represent themselves. it is always a mystery to me why they don't...........

Ring up John Thomson and ask hin to send you a copy in the post..

ps. do you think the one shop system is better now

Author:	Stinky Pete [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:29 am ]
Post subject:	taxi medical
this year i have to have a taxi medical so i rings up the Docs to see how much, £195 they said you dont have to come to us, you can go where ever you like i explained that the Council insist that the doc doing the medical must have your medical records, thats rubbish said the Doc's surgery, you dont need your medical history, this is an independant check whether you can drive or not now who is right, the Council or the Doctors arn't medical records online now ie through NHS

Author:	grandad [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:14 am ]
Post subject:
There are a lot of drivers in my area that go to a doctor 25 miles away for their medicals because he charges £30 where our own doctors practice charge £99.50 The licensing officer doesn't like it but unless there is any particular problem, I have to go to my own doctor because of diabetes, she says that you don't have to use your own doctor.

Author:	cabby john [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:40 pm ]
Post subject:
I think that this needs testing in the courts, as far as I am concerned a "Doctor is a Doctor" and they the LAs are putting a needless cost onto taxi drivers. Where are the so called "UNIONS" this should already be sorted.

Author:	MR T [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:25 pm ]
Post subject:
As part of the Sefton Review.. the recommendations that are being placed before council is that a driver can use any doctor...... in fact doctors from both sides of Sefton are being approached by the trade representatives to see if they are prepared to give a competitive rate....

Author:	Stinky Pete [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:
the price of a taxi medical, some drivers pay 48 quid, some 80, my doc is £195 i might give this mob a ring http://www.doctorsonwheels.co.uk/1.html

Taxi Driver Online http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/

taxi medical http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8412	Page 1 of 2

Author:	brightonbreezy [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:
cabby john wrote: I think that this needs testing in the courts, as far as I am concerned a "Doctor is a Doctor" and they the LAs are putting a needless cost onto taxi drivers. Where are the so called "UNIONS" this should already be sorted. Why don't you ask your union to sort it out?

Author:	Sussex [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: taxi medical
Stinky Pete wrote: so i rings up the Docs to see how much, £195 I would send a letter of complaint to your local trust over that, cos it's way over the top. But best put it in another name cos you don't want the wrong pills do you?

Author:	Nigel [ Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:
£25 for our medicals.

Author:	MR T [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:47 am ]
Post subject:
brightonbreezy wrote: cabby john wrote: I think that this needs testing in the courts, as far as I am concerned a "Doctor is a Doctor" and they the LAs are putting a needless cost onto taxi drivers. Where are the so called "UNIONS" this should already be sorted. Why don't you ask your union to sort it out? They did that is why it is 195 pounds

Author:	Bridget [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:54 am ]
Post subject:
I lost my license for 6 weeks cos of this a couple of years ago I went to renew my license and on booking a medical with the misguided thought that I could just ring up and get an appointment I was told that the doctors had to liaise with each other to determine when they could make an appointment for said medical. No matter how much I argued that the medical was a simple procedure the doctors receptionists told me that I would have to wait for the doctors agreement to see me. MR T wrote: As part of the Sefton Review.. the recommendations that are being placed before council is that a driver can use any doctor...... in fact doctors from both sides of Sefton are being approached by the trade representatives to see if they are prepared to give a competitive rate.... I am registered in Sefton and was also told I HAD to have the appointment with my registered GP despite the fact there are more than 4 GPs available at the practice I'm with Anyway 3 weeks later they finally gave me an appointment for a medical, which in the end lasted 5 minutes (so why so much fuss ), £95 later and I passed with flying colours I went to renew my license with my medical result pressed firmly in my hand only to be told by the blonde bimbo behind the desk that because of the delay with my medical (that the GP practice had caused) my CRB check was out of date and I'd have to wait for that to be renewed They told me that could take up to 3 months to sort out.......... DEEP JOY.......NOT To say I was distraught was an understatement, how the hell was I supposed to earn a living while these incompetents sorted themselves out? Luckily for me the firm I work for let me earn money by doing a bit of radio operating to tide me over and fortunately my CRB came back within 3 weeks, 6 weeks later I got my license back, but it could have been a lot worse. The cost of the license is horrendous but it's not the only issue, the red tape and bureaucracy is also a problem so be warned. Next time my license is up for renewal I will certainly not be doing it a week before it's due, more like 3 months just to be on the safe side

Author:	Stinky Pete [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:46 am ]
Post subject:
the problem is the renewals came yesterday out of the blue, 5th of April not only does it say that i before a medical i must , in other words be checked out by an eye test before i go for a medical, unless i have read it wrong, the only aqppointment for an eye test i can get is Fri 11 April then i have to make an appontment with the Doc's surgery, i know i wont get one the same day i ask, so it will be now monday 14th April that is the earliest date i can ring up and ask for a Doctors appointment, the medical documents have to be back in to the Council by the 18th of April they haven't gave us much time, the surgery i use is so busy you have to be nearly dead before they see you, if i cant get one next week i'm fooked the thing is it takes only a few minutes for this medical, the nurse does all the work, the last time they gave me a book to read for the eye test, must have been the smallest print in the world, she said read this out aloud without your reading glasses, i said your your kidding, no she said, can i have a bright spot light so at least see whats on the page, no she said, so i read out aloud.... blurr blurr blurr blurr blurr, its just black fuzzy lines i said this is a rubbish test, all i need to do is read a number plate in clear light at 60 meters, to which i can why on earth could they not give me more time, its not me its the Doctors

Author:	MR T [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:10 pm ]
Post subject:
Bridget wrote: I lost my license for 6 weeks cos of this a couple of years ago I went to renew my license and on booking a medical with the misguided thought that I could just ring up and get an appointment I was told that the doctors had to liaise with each other to determine when they could make an appointment for said medical. No matter how much I argued that the medical was a simple procedure the doctors receptionists told me that I would have to wait for the doctors agreement to see me. MR T wrote: As part of the Sefton Review.. the recommendations that are being placed before council is that a driver can use any doctor...... in fact doctors from both sides of Sefton are being approached by the trade representatives to see if they are prepared to give a competitive rate.... I am registered in Sefton and was also told I HAD to have the appointment with my registered GP despite the fact there are more than 4 GPs available at the practice I'm with Anyway 3 weeks later they finally gave me an appointment for a medical, which in the end lasted 5 minutes (so why so much fuss ), £95 later and I passed with flying colours I went to renew my license with my medical result pressed firmly in my hand only to be told by the blonde bimbo behind the desk that because of the delay with my medical (that the GP practice had caused) my CRB check was out of date and I'd have to wait for that to be renewed They told me that could take up to 3 months to sort out.......... DEEP JOY.......NOT To say I was distraught was an understatement, how the hell was I supposed to earn a living while these incompetents sorted themselves out? Luckily for me the firm I work for let me earn money by doing a bit of radio operating to tide me over and fortunately my CRB came back within 3 weeks, 6 weeks later I got my license back, but it could have been a lot worse. The cost of the license is horrendous but it's not the only issue, the red tape and bureaucracy is also a problem so be warned. Next time my license is up for renewal I will certainly not be doing it a week before it's due, more like 3 months just to be on the safe side Sefton hackney and private hire licensing department send out a reminder four to six weeks before any licence is due.... did you not get yours..... as for CRB checks I personally think they should be in the hands of the police and not in the hands of private company that can alter the fees whenever they see fit.. if the police were in charge any excess revenue could be forced back into providing a better police service instead off making countless millions for one of Tony Blair's friends... If you have concerns then get your Associations reps to bring them forward to council. if you have concerns regarding the association's... then form your own.... and get your point across yourself ... Sefton hackney department have been in the process of reviewing the way the department works and what is recommended for both the Hackney and private hire trade for the last 18 months....... and this is now compiled in a128 page document of the recommendations they think should be Put before the committee.... I recommend that you get hold of a copy.... Oh and by the way I only speak from a hackney point of view.. we are always criticised because we make sure we have proper representation....... now I personally think that the criticism should be that private hire drivers fail miserably to represent themselves. it is always a mystery to me why they don't...........

Author:	Bridget [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:
MR T wrote: Sefton hackney and private hire licensing department send out a reminder four to six weeks before any licence is due.... did you not get yours..... Yes they do and yes I did but I didn't envisage the problems I'd get with arranging a medical. I thought, obviously now in hindsight I know better, that there wouldn't be a problem making an appointment for a medical a week before my license was due for renewal, hey we live and learn. I also didn't expect to be charged £95 for the privilege of having that medical MR T wrote: as for CRB checks I personally think they should be in the hands of the police and not in the hands of private company that can alter the fees whenever they see fit.. if the police were in charge any excess revenue could be forced back into providing a better police service instead off making countless millions for one of Tony Blair's friends... Couldn't agree more. MR T wrote: If you have concerns then get your Associations reps to bring them forward to council. if you have concerns regarding the association's... then form your own.... and get your point across yourself ... I would love to but where we are the Association is a private clique, you can't enter unless you are approved by one certain member and he doesn't like me, as for forming another, I despair of the apathy within the trade, it makes my blood boil to see the crap some drivers put up with yet they won't make an effort to try and change things. I gave up trying to make an effort years ago cos I got no response, selfishness abounds in the taxi trade as far as I can see. MR T wrote: Sefton hackney department have been in the process of reviewing the way the department works and what is recommended for both the Hackney and private hire trade for the last 18 months....... and this is now compiled in a128 page document of the recommendations they think should be Put before the committee.... I recommend that you get hold of a copy.... Thanks for that where can I get hold of a copy? MR T wrote: Oh and by the way I only speak from a hackney point of view.. we are always criticised because we make sure we have proper representation....... now I personally think that the criticism should be that private hire drivers fail miserably to represent themselves. it is always a mystery to me why they don't........... Fair enough I'm PH (ok I can hear the groans now) but I'd like to make some changes but trying to do that is like walking into a brick wall. Hackney drivers hate PH and PH hate Hackney drivers (not my view BTW) and never the twain will meet The way I see it despite the differences in what we are allowed to do picking up wise, we ALL do the same job, ferrying passengers from A to B (cos that's what we get paid for) Why can't Hackneys and PH (god forbid ) actually come together and speak up as a united front instead of fighting each other about who's the best taxi drivers. It never fails me to to see the stupidness of the dispute between Hackney drivers and PH. If Hackney drivers actually step down and get off their pedestal (no offence intended but I'm speaking from personal experience of the Hackney drivers I know, you might be different, hopefully) and stop thinking they are superior to PH drivers (cos the ones I know do think they are) then maybe as a whole something will change. It will NEVER change though when there are internal arguments within the industry. If ever the dispute ends (yeah right ) then maybe we as a whole can challenge outrageous charges such as the medical fees and the charges we get for renewing our badges (or do you Hackneys not get charged the ongoing fee for the stupid survey into the necessity of Hackney Cabs in Sefton?) I actually respected your reply Mr T as a Hackney driver and I acknowledge your criticism of the PH industry cos I agree to a certain extent with what you said regardless of the fact I'm PH and by all accounts I should shoot you down. Maybe more drivers could stand back and take note of what the other side is saying then there wouldn't be so much strife and things might happen to make our job easier for both Hackneys and PH. To quote Martin Luther King "I have a dream"

Author:	MR T [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:06 pm ]
Post subject:
Ring up John Thomson and ask hin to send you a copy in the post.. ps. do you think the one shop system is better now

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Author:	Bridget [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:
MR T wrote: Ring up John Thomson and ask hin to send you a copy in the post.. ps. do you think the one shop system is better now Thanks I will. No I think it's rubbish (I am trying to be polite ) At least in Crosby you had a bit of a chance the person behind the desk knew what they were talking about now you are dealing with half wit council employees who couldn't give a damn, and it takes forever for someone to deal with your issue.