Fitness to Drive
see section on "Assessing
Fitness to Drive" (at Austroads
website)
- Occasionally, there may be concerns about whether a patient will comply
with advice not to drive and the doctor feels compelled to inform the
driving authority (but see Confidentiality)
Examples:
| 9a General Anaesthetic |
< 24 hours after GA |
| 9b Local Anaesthetic |
Whilst anaesthetised region impairs motor, perceptual or
cognitive functioning |
| 11e Atrial fibrillation |
After acute episode, which causes dizziness or syncope,
until condition is stabilised |
| 11l Deep Vein Thrombosis |
< 2 weeks post event, subject to clinic assessment. |
| 11v Syncope |
< 4 weeks after an episode of unknown cause.
If
recurrent episodes, refer to relevant specialist for assessment. |
| 14b Isolated Seizure |
3-6 months. Consultant opinion recommended. |
| 22o Transient Ischaemic Attacks |
On advice of physician. Persons having recurrent events that
could impair driving should not drive until neurological investigation leads to effective
prophylaxis. |
If the patient has one of these conditions they should be told they should not drive.
The problem occurs if you believe the patient is not going to comply with this advice.
Section 3.2.1 of the booklet highlights the problem.
3.3.1 Under national uniform Driver licensing law already in
place in all States and Territories, any person, professional or otherwise, who reports a
drive to a driver licensing authority, in good faith, is protected from civil and criminal
liability.
If this is necessary the following form can be used:
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