No diagnosis, but told to inform DVLA? Any advice?

[MaureenMLove]

Sorry, this may be a bit muddled and I might not have all the answers, but anyone with any insight or thoughts would be appreciated!

My new colleague has had a pretty rough couple of years, with personal stuff and her previous job. She was signed off for a while and referred to occupational health during last year. During that time she went to her doctor and he referred her to a consultant because she'd been feeling unwell during that particular week and had had a few dizzy spells.

Fast forward to now, (4 months later) the appointment with a consultant has happened and she wants to send her for various tests to see why she was getting dizzy spells, as nothing abnormal has come up on blood tests or mri. She even had a test to see if they could bring on an epileptic fit. It didn't.

By her own admission, since she started her new job with me, she has felt more positive, her skin is better, she has less anxiety. All in all, she feels well.

Now the point. The consultant has written to her to say that she can't drive and she must phone DVLA and tell them straight away. I will stress that she's done that and between me and my other colleagues we'll make sure she gets to and from work.

However, what's bothering her is that she hasn't actually been diagnosed with anything. She hasn't had any dizzy spells since she cut ties with her old job, all tests up to now are clear and yet the consultant has said she shouldn't drive.

Does anyone know if this is normal practice? In my head I'm thinking, her problems have stemmed from a rotten job and rotten home life for the last year or two and her changing direction and getting a job where she is truly supported has done wonders for her health and the consultant seems to want to find something medically wrong with her!

I readily admit that I am not a HCP though, so if someone in the know tells me that's what happens, I'll shut up!

Alternatively, if you're not bored yet and think the consultant shouldn't be telling her to stop driving before she's been diagnosed with anything, any suggestions to her next steps?

Yes it is normal practice to be cautious, if she is clear of any dizzy spells for 6 months she can get a letter from her consultant to say she is safe to drive again and send it to dvla. A moment's dizziness can kill. My dd cannot drive for this reason

That doesn't sound right. She could be stopped from driving while further tests are being carried out or she can be stopped for a specific period of time and if no further collapses then it should be ok. Have you really had the whole story?

Thank you. I appreciate you answering. I always feel it's better to get the facts, before kicking off!

Thanks Karala. Yes, I've no reason to believe she's not telling us all the facts. We're a very open bunch of workers.