Safety Critical Medicals
Southampton & Portsmouth

A safety-critical medical (SCM) is a medical assessment which identifies whether or not an individual is fit to work in a ‘safety critical’ role or field. 

‘Safety critical’ defines any work which might endanger lives if the worker’s performance is compromised by poor health. SCMs are therefore safety measures to prevent the worker, their colleagues and/or members of the public from serious injury or death.

In practice, most safety critical medical standards for plant operators and drivers are equivalent to the D4 standard required by group 2 vehicle drivers (such as heavy goods vehicles and people carrying vehicles). 

Anyone who performs ‘safety critical work’ is advised to arrange a SCM with a qualified medical expert. Examples of safety critical work include (but are not limited to):

• Plant operation; including FLTs, excavators, cranes and other heavy machinery
• Mechanical handling equipment operation; including mechanical tippers and industrial scales
• Commercial driving; including heavy goods vehicles and people carrying vehicles
• Working at height; including scaffolders, riggers and other roles where workers may be at risk of falling, accidentally dropping heavy objects, or potentially colliding with tall structures
• Working in confined spaces; where air quality and/or risk of fire or explosion could potentially affect workers
• Working at night; where harsh or low lighting might present additional safety hazards, and where night shifts can affect physical and mental health

At DVLA Driver Medicals, our team of GMC-approved doctors specialise in safety critical medicals for drivers and plant operators. Get in touch to book your assessment today.

Different safety critical roles will require different medical standards. Most driver SCMs will include the following:

• Medical history questionnaire: covering a comprehensive range of medical factors including epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension and more
• Body mass index: taking height and weight readings to identify potential health problems

• Cardiovascular exam: covering the heart, lungs and blood vessels

• Blood pressure test: checking if your blood pressure is too high/low or at a healthy level.

• Eyesight test: identifying if your vision is sufficient to drive/operate dangerous equipment, or needs correction via glasses/contact lenses or surgery

• Forced whisper test: similarly, checking whether your auditory perception is sufficient or needs treatment via hearing aids, medication and/or surgery to address hearing loss
• Urine sample test: checking for health issues such as diabetes

 In some cases, an electrocardiogram (ECG) may also be needed. Our doctors can provide an ECG as part of your safety critical medical.

At DVLA Driver Medicals, prices for driver SCMs are just £50 to £55 per individual medical; plus we can offer group discounts for 4 or more individual workers. Get in touch to find out more!

It’s your choice! Our team can arrange a convenient venue local to you within the Southampton/Portsmouth area; or alternatively we can carry out your medical exam on-site at your employer’s premises.

For more information, just get in touch.

You’ll be asked to bring:

• A valid photo ID (such as a driving licence or passport)
• Your medical history record

You should also bring the following if they’re applicable to you:

• Your glasses and/or contact lenses and optical prescription
• Your medication prescriptions

If you’re unable to bring these items, please let us know as soon as possible.

Please remember to bring these items with you, but don’t panic if you’ve forgotten them or can’t find them; just let us know as soon as possible.

Photo ID is required as an absolute minimum in order to process your exam. If you’re unable to bring this, we may be able to reschedule your airside medical appointment at no extra cost depending on notice given. (Please note that an appointment may only be rescheduled once, and appointments are not transferable between individuals.)

Employment-related medical exams can be nerve-wracking for some of our patients; particularly those in high-pressure industries such as aviation. 

While stress and anxiety can temporarily raise our blood pressure, our medical doctors work to prevent nerves from affecting your airside medical results. 

Unlike other D4 medical providers, you’ll have plenty of time to settle in; and if your first reading is particularly high, we’ll take a 15 minute break for you to relax before taking additional readings.

Rest assured, if you don’t pass your first medical exam due to a correctable issue (such as a need for glasses to correct vision), we’ll usually offer a free return consultation.

If you need to cancel your SCM appointment, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Depending on the amount of notice given, we may be able to reschedule your appointment at no extra cost to you.

(Please note that an appointment may only be rescheduled once, and appointments are not transferable between individuals.)

Our team will always aim to arrange a venue with convenient parking. Local parking arrangements at the venue will be shared with you when arranging your appointment.

If you have any special parking needs, please let us know when booking your appointment.

Remember, our team can often provide appointments at your workplace if desired; just ask!