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GPs have been given new guidance from the General Medical Council instructing them to report elderly patients to the DVLA if they believe they are no longer fit to drive. The GMC has said that GPs duty to protect the public comes ahead of any concerns over patient confidentiality.
In the past 12 months the DVLA has assessed 610,000 drivers who have medical impairments that could have an impact upon their driving, an increase from 125,000 four years previously. However, as most of these patients voluntarily approached the DVLA, it is unclear how many drivers may be on the road while medically unfit to drive.
Public Safety
GMC chief executive, Niall Dickson said, “A confidential medical service is a public good and trust is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship. But confidentiality is not absolute and doctors can play an important part in keeping the wider public safe if a patient is not safe to drive.”
Patient groups have cautioned that the GMC guidance should be used carefully.
Joyce Robin, representing Patient Concern, said: “I’m very uneasy about this – there are an awful lot of potential difficulties to weigh up.”
“One issue is whether a GP can really judge whether a health condition is affecting someone’s driving or not, without having seen them at the wheel,” she said.
“That said, the over-riding concern has to be public safety, and there are a lot of drivers out there who simply aren’t safe on the roads, and shouldn’t be allowed on them.”
Older Drivers & Safety
Studies suggests drivers in their 70s are as safe as those of 25. Those aged 80 and over are less safe, but are still safer than drivers in their teens. Under existing guidance, GPs are asked to attempt to persuade patients to stay off the road if they suspect they might pose a risk to other road users. They only alert the authorities if the patient fails to take their advice, but the GMC is worried that many GPs are not doing this because of fears of breaking patient confidentiality.
When a doctor does alert the DVLA of a patient who is potentially unfit to drive, they are asked to carry out an assessment, which can lead to the withdrawal or suspension of driving licences. Drivers themselves remain legally responsible for informing the DVLA of any medical condition or treatment that could impact their fitness to drive.
Independence & Responsibility
Across the UK million drivers depend on using a car to getting around. For people with serious medical conditions there can be a real fear of losing their licence and the freedom it brings. However, with proper treatment, many illnesses will not progress to the stage where a driver loses their licence. The worst thing you can do as a driver is ignore medical advice given to you. Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 if they don’t inform the DVLA about a medical condition that affects their ability to drive, and if you have an accident which is due to an unreported condition you could face prosecution.
