Service to Help HGV Drivers with Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea, a disorder which causes breathing to stop and start when sleeping, is a serious medical problem, and one that heavily affects the abilities of HGV drivers to carry out their duties in a safe manner. The disturbed night’s sleep that is often a common result of sleep apnoea can cause daytime drowsiness which, if left untreated, can put the lives of others at risk.

To minimise the risk of incidents occurring, a recent scheme was instigated in the Newcastle Sleep Service unit at the Freeman Hospital which saw HGV drivers being fast tracked to avoid the lengthy waiting time for NHS treatment.

 

The Law

Any HGV driver who suffers with sleep apnoea enough for it to impair their ability to drive in a safe manner is legally obliged to stop working until they have received the appropriate treatment from a medical professional. This precaution, while necessary for the safety of others, can lead to some individuals being unable to return to their jobs for long periods of time will they await treatment.

NHS Waiting Lists

The lengthy waiting lists for NHS treatment can see patients waiting for months or even years for the relevant treatment, which can make life impossible for HGV drivers as they will be out of work for the length of that time. It is feared that the thought of so much time out of work will prevent HGV drivers coming forward when they become aware of their own symptoms of sleep apnoea, which makes the industry much more unsafe. The recent NHS pilot scheme put into motion at Freeman Hospital saw that all drivers were seen by medical professionals and began their treatment in a timely fashion of no more than 4 weeks. It is thought that the scheme, known as The 4 Week Wait (4WW) programme, will relieve some of the pressure on HGV drivers and allow more drivers to come forward with their diagnosis and get the necessary treatment.

The Benefits of 4WW

Implementing the 4WW programme nationwide will be hugely beneficial for the HGV industry as a whole:

  • Safer working conditions as less untreated apnoea sufferers behind the wheel
  • Less time off for affected drivers, so they won’t suffer financially
  • Employers can be confident that their affected workers will be back to work quicker
  • Better overall health for apnoea sufferers

It is unknown at this stage whether the scheme will be successfully implemented across the UK, but after the positive results of the trial and the support of organisations such as the Road Haulage Association, the outlook looks good.

 

Euro 1 Training offer high quality LGV and HGV training courses given by fully trained and experienced course leaders. We work on a flexible basis to fit around your current commitments and our private practice area makes handling tricky manoeuvres much more stress free! To make things even easier, Euro 1 Training are now a DVSA Test Centre, so as well as taking your course here, you can pass your test as well. Our tests are conducted around the local area. Whether you’re after an intensive one week training course or hourly lessons, you can rely on Euro 1 Training. Get in contact today for more information on any of our services, we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.