Health check dilemma for taxi drivers in East StaffordshireTAXI driver Assad Hussain, who drives for Ambassador Cars, with Unicare Group director Tim Briers as they talk about the difficulties facing the industry in terms of their three-yearly medical.
A PRIVATE GP practice in East Staffordshire has found that taxi drivers looking to make sure their health is in top gear are facing challenges to prove they are fit enough to get behind the wheel.
The Unicare Group conducted a survey which revealed that workers in the East Staffordshire area claim they are struggling because they are required to visit GPs to get a health review and cannot head to private medical centres. Taxi drivers are required by law to undergo a medical every three years to ensure they are fit and safe to drive with costs ranging from between £100 and £165.
However, bosses at East Staffordshire Borough Council said they require a review from a GP because it provides a 'comprehensive assessment' of the current and previous health of drivers.
Assad Hussain, an owner-driver for Ambassador Cars, who has been driving in and around Staffordshire for almost 13 years, said: "There are several factors that need to be considered.
"Our daily shift patterns start early and finish late and consequently offer little flexibility."
The research found that in Burton and district, known as a Group 1 Area, there is no latitude for drivers to visit private medical firms.
However, in places such as Coventry, Warwickshire, Derby and Peterborough, Group 2 regulations allow drivers the choice of visiting private medical centres or their GPs.
A spokesman for East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: "The council does not employ taxi drivers, but issues licences to any applicant that satisfies a robust application process.
"Before an initial taxi licence application is granted, drivers arrange their own medical assessment with their GP, who must confirm their fitness to drive a vehicle carrying passengers.
"This assessment is then renewed every three years. Licensed taxi drivers are required to report changes in their medical circumstances to the council, and should the authority become aware of any condition which may affect their driving it will contact their GP to take advice and request further medicals.
"The council requires confirmation from the GP as they have access to an applicant's full medical records, allowing a more comprehensive assessment to be undertaken to ensure the safety of the driver, passengers and other road users."
"The inconsistency between the local areas is a bit baffling," said Unicare Group director Tim Briers.
"There is now a choice of providers for these important medicals. Availability outside of the NHS means that GP practices will have another one of the pressure points effectively removed from their appointment lists, so freeing up their time in what is claimed to be their critical periods.
"Some 20 taxi companies are operating in the town and surrounding district with an estimated 450 cars on the road depending upon shift patterns.
"The scale of this issue is clearly highlighted and apparently will not be getting any smaller in the near future."
The Unicare Group opened last year and was the brainchild of Dr Vamsee Bammidi and his partner and director Tim Briers, who brings a wealth of professional services expertise including 10 years in NHS practice to this new business.
The private practice offers appointments, medicals for drivers and minor operations.
It is also now introducing new services including tattoo removal and hair removal.
More information is available by visiting theunicaregroup.com
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