Letter to GP regarding Dad driving.

[DeloresJaneUmbridge]

Feeling so guilty but also relieved.

Dad had a stroke five weeks ago and thankfully because I was with him at the time was seen and treated very quickly. He had some surgery to clear a blocked artery after the stroke and has been home nearly four weeks.

The advice is not to drive for five weeks and he is due to see the doctor on Monday for permission.

As a family we have concerns about this because we can see a change in Dad since the stroke. He’s much more vague (has an additional diagnosis of mixed dementia) and falls asleep easily and rapidly sitting in an armchair ....this is more pathological than simply nodding off due to being relaxed and a bit sleepy.

Thing is that when seeing the doctor he will literally put on a front and good face. It would be easy for him to fool the GP.

So this morning I’ve written a letter to the GP and will drop it in to them with a note asking the GP to read it if he has time before Dad’s appointment.

We’ve spoken to Dad about our concerns but he is adamant he is fine and to be honest seems obsessed with getting back to driving again. I can understand that but I need to think of his safety and that of other road users.

What if he was to nod off when sitting in traffic? Or even worse on a motorway?

Last year he was assessed by a Driveability team who found him fit to drive. This was after cognitive testing and also a driving assessment. I am not so sure he would pass it now.

Feeling so guilty about possibly getting his licence removed ....but know I would feel worse if he was to seriously injure someone/himself or worse kill someone on the road.

Delores not sure if this helps or not - but his car insurance might be a temporary route to pursue.

Companies vary, but often their criteria for cover is much stricter than the DVLA and if they agree to cover it's often with much higher premiums.

Not a recent example, as I no longer work in this area, but some years ago the DVLA used to allow people to drive 10 days after a heart attack / MI whereas some insurance companies wouldn't provide cover for 6 weeks,

I don't know if there might be similar concerns with Stroke. It might be a delaying tactic.

Delores - you are doing the right thing - no question.
DH and I told the DVLA about FIL - after FIL had told DH he had a burst tyre coming back from a shopping trip. DH looked at the car and it was obvious he had driven into a kerb. Also the car had a lot more dints in it. The first attempt to make him give up was when FIL had to self certify ( I think that's how it works) to get his licence renewed and Dh tried to persuade him not to - but he did. He then had a stroke and DH just took the keys and said you're not officially allowed to drive for a while until you get better , as it happened he didn't get better and the effects of the stroke meant he sort of forgot it. But before then , we didn't think he was safe but giving up his car was a huge huge deal to him & he would not accept he was not a safe driver. It's a hard situation. But you are right to be stopping him, however you do it. Best of luck