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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

GP wont sign me off to drive

25 replies

TwittleBee · 21/04/2020 08:44

With the current situation regarding Covid, my GP surgery has said they've stopped doing all private work including signing off women to drive post Csection. My insurance directly states I need a Dr to sign me off to drive.

AIBU in being upset that this means I am unable to drive post section. I'm in tears about it, I need to drive as currently I am living on the NICU with my lil preemie (currently 31 weeks gestational age) but I can't stay here much longer. I've no one who can drive me back and forth daily to the hospital (1 hours drive away) as my husband does not drive (he has tried numerous times to pass) and I cannot rely on family/friends because that wouldn't be self isolating and last thing I want to do is potentially risk bringing in anything to the NICU or from hospital to my family/friends!

Open to any way around this but I'm really unsure what I can do. Cannot think straight when in NICU anyway.

OP posts:
Gazelda · 21/04/2020 08:46

Have you spoken to your insurers to see if they can help you can find a solution?

I hope your newborn is soon strong enough to come home with you.

LGY1 · 21/04/2020 08:46

Have you called your insurance company?
I called mine and they said it was up to me, no note needed.
Other option is to cancel your insurance (£50 fee?) and start again with a company that doesn’t require sign off.
I’m sure I was with Admiral at the time

tishwuw · 21/04/2020 08:48

Does it have to be a GP? Couldn't one of the doctors in the hospital sign you off?

PippaPegg · 21/04/2020 08:49

Call back and explain the situation. Lay it on thick. If your GP receptionist is anything like mine you will need to give the full story to get anywhere. Stay polite but be firm. Good luck.

SylvanianFrenemies · 21/04/2020 08:50

Find a private GP?

Allthebestusernameshavegone · 21/04/2020 08:51

Change insurer. It’s nonsense. I’m with Admiral and I was driving 2 weeks post section.
I didn’t need signing off and I felt fine and my midwife told me 6 weeks is recommended because everyone recovers differently. I was fine in myself and recovered really quickly.

LGY1 · 21/04/2020 08:51

Has anyone actually been “signed off” by there GP at 6 weeks? I wasn’t!
Did you have a check on your wound after a couple of weeks by the midwife and they said everything was healing fine?

Alb1 · 21/04/2020 08:51

Ask a doctor in hospital to sign you off, I’m sure they will for this reason. Is there a sick children’s trust or Ronald McDonald house you could put your name on the waiting list for so you could stay closer to the hospital? I’d have never thought of it if a midwife hadn’t put me on the list when my DD was born at 29 weeks but it was great being able to stay so close.

cheekybekky · 21/04/2020 08:52

I would phone GP and ask to speak to practice manager and explain situation.

If that fails, ask the doctors in NICU if they have any suggestions.

If that still fails, talk to insurers.

Chloemol · 21/04/2020 08:53

Why can’t you ask a doctor at the hospital to sign you off? Why does it have to be your GP. The doctors at the hospital will have seen you far more than your GP

Original poster
TwittleBee · 21/04/2020 08:53

Yes I spoke with them last surgery @LGY1
(P.S. I personally wouldn't go back to Admiral as they were a nightmare when I was in a car incident)

I haven't spoken to them yet regarding this surgery @Gazelda and perhaps I should try them. And thank you.

@tishwuw the baby Drs wont do it and I'm discharged from postnatal services, they're really busy here so not sure they'll be willing either. Not even sure how I would ask as I'm not allowed to roam the hospital, they're really strict on movements. Plus, are they able to easily access my medical records to write a declaration?

I did already @PippaPegg I was crying over the phone as just so emotional as it is

OP posts:
LGY1 · 21/04/2020 08:54

@Allthebestusernameshavegone the 6 week thing really annoys me! Why driving?
I can carry a 10lb baby up the stairs, I can do all the housework, but they focus on “you can’t drive”
I bet the advice hasn’t changed since the 60’s when driving was a lot more physical!

RoseyOldCrow · 21/04/2020 08:55

So sorry that you are going through all of this, Twittlebee, at what should just be a time of joy for you 💐
As we are in such exceptional times, is there a Doctor at the hospital who would be willing & able to do this for you - perhaps the surgeon who performed the c-section? (I don't know if this is possible but it may be worth a try.)
The only other thing I can think of is to push back to your GP, explaining why you need this - despite the current horrendous pressures, there are "normal" events going on; as a post-surgery new mother you surely class as an important patient.
Best wishes to you & your beautiful baby.

Original poster
TwittleBee · 21/04/2020 08:56

The MW who comes and visits us parents on NICU will be on shift tomorrow, perhaps she will have a way to ask a Dr to sign me off?

OP posts:
TreeTopTim · 21/04/2020 08:56

Congratulations on the birth of your little one. My youngest was born premature.

How many weeks post csection are you?

Which insurers are you with? After you spoke to your GP have you told your insurers what your GP has said? Beyond speaking to your insurers I have no other advice sorry.

IDefinitelyHaveFriends · 21/04/2020 08:57

Ring your insurers. It’s very rare for them to require actual literal sign-off, so if they won’t bend the rules under the circumstances then cancel on the spot (after all there’s no point paying for it if you can’t use it) and look for a new one (unless you have to have a specialist insurer because you’ve got ninety seven points on your licence).

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 21/04/2020 09:00

Change the insurance. And tell us who the current one is with so we won’t bother with them.

Happycow · 21/04/2020 09:06

If you dont like Admiral, i am with Aviva and they are also happy for you to drive whenever you feel up to it (i did 2 wks post section 2nd time round). I would just change insurer - it will be quicker than trying to reason with a GP receptionist (if yours are anything like mine).

Original poster
TwittleBee · 21/04/2020 09:08

Update! Its resolved! The insurance said a MW can declare me for to drive!

OP posts:
Babdoc · 21/04/2020 09:12

The only reason for delaying driving post section is that you have to be physically able to slam your foot on the brake for an emergency stop.
I’d simply phone your insurer, as PPs have suggested, and say you are now able to do this. I doubt they would have a problem with you driving again. If they were that unreasonable, then yes, change your insurer.

LGY1 · 21/04/2020 09:13

@Happycow that made me laugh!

AmelieTaylor · 21/04/2020 09:17

@TwittleBee

That's great news!

I hope you can get the littlest one home soon - you guys deserve a break in life xx

Take care 🌷

TreeTopTim · 21/04/2020 12:36

Great news.

Thehop · 21/04/2020 12:47

So pleased! You need some good news! X

Connie222 · 21/04/2020 13:09

Excellent news OP. And congratulations on your baby. My Ds was in SCBU for a few weeks after he was born, I know how hard it is.

On a related note though, I’ve had two sections, Never even thought about the insurance before I started driving again Confused

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