Think I'll write a book!!!
Well after all the experiences I have had with health problems - not all of them common I might add -I think the time has come!!
The latest episode comes as the result of the VP shunt that was Placed in my scone due to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
After a great 3 months trip OS I came back and had a few little issues with driving, especially at roundabouts, where I became quite
hesitant. My lovely wife was concerned and so we ended up with a geriatrician who ran the slide rule over me and found that I had no
signs of dementia or altsheimers or anything else. Despite this he recommended that I not drive until checked out by my neurosurgeon
and an opthalmologist.
I had just seen my optometrist of 20 years and new lenses were prescribed. but still I was told to see an opthalmologist!! I was also sent
by the neurosurgeon to see an occupational therapist who specialized in tests for driving skills. So for nearly 6 weeks I have been unable
to drive as there was now a medical record of my problem. Mind you my license is not suspended, I just can't drive because if I have an
accident - no matter who is at fault - then I will be in deep financial and legal doo doo.
So, Opthalmologist finds no reason why I can't drive due to eyesight. In fact my new lenses have made a world of difference as my peripheral
focus was out of wack.A test by the occupational therapist followed by a practical driving test was passed withe ease.
The OT report was forwarded to my GP and he was to sign the form for the Dept. Transport.
This is where the real fun begins.
Qld. Transport had no record of any doctor's notification. I had to have a Qld. Dep. Trans. form filled in and signed by my Gp and the opthalmologist.
Qld. Trans. Is not sure whether a faxed copy of the document signed by the Opthal. will suffice. The opthal's staff is not sure whether he will sign a
copy of the departs. document. The GP will not sign the document until the opthal signs!!! Talk about a three ring circus!!!:~:~:~
Not one person along this whole bloody journey bothered to explain the process to me!! Had I known what I now know I would have taken a form with
to the the Opthal. and then taken this back to the GP to sign and I could then have taken this to Qld. Trans.
Mind you the Geriatrician who made the original recommendation not to drive until I was tested and given the OK, now has no say in the outcome!!!:whatonearth:
I have spent near enough to 2G to get this sorted and very little is claimable!! The whole process needs to be reviewed and properly implemented. I want
to know why, when a doctor makes recommendation not to drive, that doctor is not required to report that to Qld. Trans. who can then inform the affected
driver of the process to follow. This would not save the driver much money BUT it sure as hell would save a lot of hassles.
This also begs the question as to what happens when a doctor recommends that someone not drive and they simply ignore that recommendation. Surely this a road safety issue???
