medical referral

[dlc85]

Just a quick question, Ive been referred to the senior medical officer because of an operation on my throat. anyway cut to the chase does anyone know the length of time it takes for them to get back to my local afco.

Any help appreiciated!

 

[stirling2]

Just a quick question, Ive been referred to the senior medical officer because of an operation on my throat. anyway cut to the chase does anyone know the length of time it takes for them to get back to my local afco.
Any help appreiciated!

I doubt if anyone does, phone the AFCO on a daily basis, shows you are keen and it should oil the wheels. :thumright:

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

In the stickies section, under medical standards for entry:

Medical Referrals

In order to be passed fit on the day, you must have completed your eyetest also.

If there is a medical condition requiring further investigation before you can be categorically classed unfit or passed fit, the Medical Examiner (ME) will write, with your permission, to your GP requesting further detail. They typically take up to 4 weeks to respond.

(With asthma they often send a questionnaire for you GP to complete & return).

You can speed things along by ringing your GP's Practice Manager and asking them to look out for the letter & reply as soon as possible.

If the ME can make a definitive decision from the information provided by your GP, then you will be passed fit/or otherwise.

If further detail is required & is available locally, the MO will again request it from a hospital or wherever the information is held (up to another 4 weeks).

Alternatively if the information is such that the outcome is inconclusive, then the information is forwarded to the Senior Medical Officer (Service Entry), at the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM) in Alverstoke, near Portsmouth in the Aviation Medical Division. If the SMO can may a definitive decision, referring to the respective specialists in the relevant medical area, then that is passed back to the ME. Typically the turn-around time is within 4 weeks.

If the SMO cannot make a definitive decision, then an appointment is made with a specialist in the relevant medical area of expertise. This can be at the INM Alverstoke, Guys London or Birmingham. The RN/RM pays for your rail ticket (and accommodation, if necessary) for you to attend this appointment. Specialist medical appointments usually take over 4 weeks to arrange.

phone the AFCO on a daily basis, shows you are keen and it should oil the wheels. :thumright:

Thanks mate :thumright:

(Irony intended!)

 

[angrydoc]

Again I reiterate the advice I routinely given on this forum:

If you have ANYTHING in your medical past, please bring photocopies of the relevant parts of your medical notes (from your GP ) to your initial medical. It will speed things up a lot and prevent situations like this happening.

You don't even need to make an appointment to see your GP: just phone the Practice Manager and ask for the copies (after explaining you need then for a Service medical examination): you can collect them at your leisure!


AD

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

That's a very good point angrydoc - I'll amend the sticky accordingly.

 

[DennyMac22]

Just a quick question, I have applied to join the RMC and have passed everything, including the new DAA test except for the medical. I had an Arthroscopy to the knee three years ago & nothing was found. I sent in all the information to Capita which included the surgical notes, pictures of the inside of my knee from the operation and all the letters from the Orthopedic Consultant I even paid to have a further letter written by the consultant stating that my knee was 100%. I had my face to face medical in January and was put on temporary medically unfit until I completed the peak flow for a week, which I did and submitted it straight away. I had a paper review today by the Senior Medical Advisor and found out it has been referred to the Navy for them to make a decision as it was knee surgery- I understand that they have to be very through as the training is very demanding but Is this normal practice and I know this is a million dollar question but roughly how long does the process take? Thanks in advance for any help

 

[dapperdunn]

I understand that they have to be very through as the training is very demanding

It's not that the training is demanding, it's that if you're accepted and join the Fleet, you'll spent your life going up and down ladders.

 

[Waspie]

You only have to see how many are discharged with knee and joint injuries to see why you have to 120% fit!! If you have a pre existing weakness!!

 

[DennyMac22]

Thanks for the reply & fully understand the reason why they have to be through - I don’t have weakness it was a soft tissue injury which has completely healed thankfully just have to be patient & wait the outcome with everything crossed

 

[Waspie]

Thanks for the reply & fully understand the reason why they have to be through - I don’t have weakness it was a soft tissue injury which has completely healed thankfully just have to be patient & wait the outcome with everything crossed

You have to have at the back of your mind, if a civvy GP has no military experience they will have no idea of what the average serviceman/woman is subjected to on a daily basis. Jumping from metal platforms, in and out of aircraft or whoever your working area is, the jolting that passes through limbs etc can and will take a toll. That is why injuries are looked at closely.
As you say fingers crossed and all that. I'm sure all will be well. Best of luck.