Medical Experience - Acne

[CengEngineer]

Hi there,

Has anyone passed the medical whilst currently on prescription for acne? I am on a topical cream for my face (mild acne).

Any advice is appreciated as the guidelines are very vague.

 

[soleil]

CeE

Have a look at the page headed DERMATOLOGICAL PRE-ENTRY in JSP950 - JSP 950 lays out the regulations on medical conditions, with sections on Pre-Entry and In Service.

The relevant part for you is Dermatological Pre-Entry - Para 2.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/627901/response/1498281/attach/2/20190823%20JSP950%20Part%201%206%207%207%20V1%206%20FINAL%20FOR%20PUBLICATION.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

 

[CengEngineer]

Hi Soleil,

Thanks for the reply. The section states:

"Candidates usibf a topical treatment and/or oral antibiotics may be graded FIT provided pre-treatment severity of acne would not have affected the ability to wear militsry clothing or the ability to operate military equipment"

How would you interpret this? You can pass and continue to sue the topical whilst in training? (I understand no medical officers are on this forum, I am jist looking for experienced opinions before getting my hopes up).

Many thanks

 

[soleil]

I will ask Ninja Stoker for clarification on the use of the topical treatment while training.

My interpretation of the paragraph is that the Medical Examiner who does the medicals for applications can declare a candidate who is using topical treatments/antibiotics to be fit and able to proceed on to the next stage of the process as long as the severity of the acne for which these topical treatments/antibiotics have been described is not of the kind which would prevent the candidate wearing military clothing or operating military equipment.

I imagine that this caveat is because acne of a particularly severe type might flare up again during training or later.

When you think about what your skin is like when you have your acne, do you imagine it stopping you wearing your uniform or operating equipment?

Which role are you looking at, by the way?

 

[CengEngineer]

My acne is mild and I wear PPE at work (safety glassee, hard hat and sonetiems visors) without ita causing any bother. So arent concerned about it being aggravated.

I am applying for marine engineer officer.

 

[soleil]

It sounds to me that the type of acne affecting you, then, is not the kind which would prevent the wearing of uniform and that the Medical Examiner would be able to declare you fit, as long as there is nothing else of significance medically.

I thought that you might be applying for MEO because of your user name. You're applying for a really good job; it's a role for which a need for good candidates clearly exists. Fingers crossed!

I've asked Ninja to have a look at this thread too, just to add anything I've missed and also to comment on the use of the topical treatment while at BRNC.

He'll probably pop up in the morning.

 

[CengEngineer]

Yes fingers crossed!

Thankyou for the help, I appreciate it. I will check back on the morning.

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Generally those joining the Royal Navy or Royal Marines need to be 'prescription free' in the case of acne. More here: https://www.royalmarines.uk/threads/acne-on-back.111525/#post-695392

Two reasons, one is the potential side effects of the medication, primarily, secondly in the case of Royal Marines, the odds are visible acne on the back and shoulders can get chafed and infected.

For RN, this issue tends to be confined to the medication side effects however, if eczema is also evident, the synthetic oils and greases can be a show stopper for engineering branches.

 

[CengEngineer]

Afternoon Ninja_Stoker,

Thanks for the response, thats good to know. I have never had a problem with eczema, just very mild acne on my nose/forehead. Everything else is crystal cleae. I will have a chat with the medical officer and see what they say. Hopefully its not a show stopper for me in this case.

 

[CengEngineer]

Evening,

I have general query regarding the MEO role - I thought it easier to post on the back of my previous question instead of starting a new feed.

I undestand the MEO generally spends 2/3 of the time onshore. Is this the same for the Ratings? Or does a ship have a core Ratings crew and MEO's rotate onshore, spending less time away than Ratings?

Further, how many years can an MEO expect to be sea-going before being desk bound?
I am trying to get a better understanding of 'expected' durations at sea for discussions with the family - I work offshore just now so have a comparison against.

 

[WreckerL]

Evening,

I have general query regarding the MEO role - I thought it easier to post on the back of my previous question instead of starting a new feed.

I undestand the MEO generally spends 2/3 of the time onshore. Is this the same for the Ratings? Or does a ship have a core Ratings crew and MEO's rotate onshore, spending less time away than Ratings?

Further, how many years can an MEO expect to be sea-going before being desk bound?
I am trying to get a better understanding of 'expected' durations at sea for discussions with the family - I work offshore just now so have a comparison against.

Officers and ratings will get drafted to a ship/submarine for a period of 2 .5 to 3 years, (sometimes less, sometimes more). Once the draft is over officers will go to a shore role for a period of years before his/her next sea draft. Ratings may go to an inboard draft or just do a course and back to sea.

Officers can expect a minimum of 3 sea drafts in their career, ratings will have at least double that in 18 year career.