PSNI Recruitment - Stage 4 - The Medical

hopeful34 · 09-04-2014 11:35am

I recently passed medical and nurse doing pre exam said it was best to declare anything. I've had fair share of sports injuries knee ligaments, hamstring etc. I declared them all and just got gp to include discharge letters from physio and consultants I saw.

s313 · 09-04-2014 1:35pm

Anyone know how long it takes from passing the pca to getting a date for the medical?

Prenty · 10-04-2014 10:34am

s313 wrote: »

Anyone know how long it takes from passing the pca to getting a date for the medical?

Hi all, passed PCA last week, got my medical date this morning so seems to be about a turnaround of a week or so

vickmackey · 10-04-2014 10:41am

maybe all starting to move along again....cheers
oh, and well done!

s313 · 10-04-2014 10:48am

Prenty wrote: »

Hi all, passed PCA last week, got my medical date this morning so seems to be about a turnaround of a week or so

Hopefully hear soon then passed the pca start of last week and just waiting to hear back!

elspeth flash · 10-04-2014 11:41am

I got a date for the medical near the end of the month

10-04-2014 3:52pm

I also got a medical date today!!

JayC90 · 10-04-2014 6:21pm

Aye mine came through today as well. Finally! Seems like it's been an age.

I wonder when our start date will be, subject to passing.

tdoc25315 · 10-04-2014 11:46pm

I just came across some stuff on the internet that has me seriously worried, I'm waiting on a medical date which I'm assuming will be near to the end of the month like others receiving letters today (had PCA recently) and for the past week I've been on painkillers for a bad toothache. The problem is that they contain codeine (not sure if I can post brand names on here but you put them in a glass with water and they fizz) and now I'm at panic stations in case I fail my medical if they think I've been on hard stuff like morphine or heroin. Can anyone advise or settle my nerves at all? This is my dream job and I don't want it taken away by some over the counter painkillers.

wanadrum · 10-04-2014 11:51pm

tdoc25315 wrote: »

I just came across some stuff on the internet that has me seriously worried, I'm waiting on a medical date which I'm assuming will be near to the end of the month like others receiving letters today (had PCA recently) and for the past week I've been on painkillers for a bad toothache. The problem is that they contain codeine (not sure if I can post brand names on here but you put them in a glass with water and they fizz) and now I'm at panic stations in case I fail my medical if they think I've been on hard stuff like morphine or heroin. Can anyone advise or settle my nerves at all? This is my dream job and I don't want it taken away by some over the counter painkillers.

You tell them any medications you have been taking - prescription or not - they can then take it into account in the test - I wouldn't worry about it!!

Orrzo · 10-04-2014 11:58pm

tdoc25315 wrote: »

I just came across some stuff on the internet that has me seriously worried, I'm waiting on a medical date which I'm assuming will be near to the end of the month like others receiving letters today (had PCA recently) and for the past week I've been on painkillers for a bad toothache. The problem is that they contain codeine (not sure if I can post brand names on here but you put them in a glass with water and they fizz) and now I'm at panic stations in case I fail my medical if they think I've been on hard stuff like morphine or heroin. Can anyone advise or settle my nerves at all? This is my dream job and I don't want it taken away by some over the counter painkillers.

Im currently working in pharmacy and i can assure you that OTC painkillers will not ring any alarm bells at a medical. Unless youre popping them every 2 mins in front of the doc!....without boring you to death with pharmaceutical mumbo jumbo these are not the kind of drugs they will be looking for...and heroin / cocaine are entirely different classes from that of codeine

calm your jets

tdoc25315 · 10-04-2014 11:58pm

wanadrum wrote: »

You tell them any medications you have been taking - prescription or not - they can then take it into account in the test - I wouldn't worry about it!!

Thanks wanadrum, the tooth still hasn't settled but I'll be going off them so it gets out of my system a bit! I just connected the dots in my head that codeine/morphine/heroin are all the same family and did a bit of research and found reports of people failing urine tests due to these tablets (or even poppy seed bagels!) But I'll make sure to disclose me taking them and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't pose any issues!

wanadrum · 11-04-2014 12:01am

tdoc25315 wrote: »

Thanks wanadrum, the tooth still hasn't settled but I'll be going off them so it gets out of my system a bit! I just connected the dots in my head that codeine/morphine/heroin are all the same family and did a bit of research and found reports of people failing urine tests due to these tablets (or even poppy seed bagels!) But I'll make sure to disclose me taking them and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't pose any issues!

The drugs mmisuse test is carried out on a hair sample so there is no getting it out of your system - still don't think it is anything to worry about as long as you tell them what you have been taking.

tdoc25315 · 11-04-2014 12:02am

Orrzo wrote: »

Im currently working in pharmacy and i can assure you that OTC painkillers will not ring any alarm bells at a medical. Unless youre popping them every 2 mins in front of the doc!....without boring you to death with pharmaceutical mumbo jumbo these are not the kind of drugs they will be looking for...and heroin / cocaine are entirely different classes from that of codeine calm your jets

Cheers Orrzo I really appreciate your input!

I think everyone here is in the same boat that we don't want any issues whatsoever affecting our applications so I think I was due a loopy turn! (Probably jealousy over not getting my letter today like the rest of people at my PCA! :P) thanks though mate that's settled my nerves a lot! (And if there's any issues I'll be referring them to your comment! :P )

LtCustard · 11-04-2014 12:12am

Orrzo wrote: »

Im currently working in pharmacy and i can assure you that OTC painkillers will not ring any alarm bells at a medical. Unless youre popping them every 2 mins in front of the doc!....without boring you to death with pharmaceutical mumbo jumbo these are not the kind of drugs they will be looking for...and heroin / cocaine are entirely different classes from that of codeine calm your jets

Just outta interest are u a fellow pharmacist looking a career change ?

Orrzo · 11-04-2014 12:18am

tdoc25315 wrote: »

Cheers Orrzo I really appreciate your input! I think everyone here is in the same boat that we don't want any issues whatsoever affecting our applications so I think I was due a loopy turn! (Probably jealousy over not getting my letter today like the rest of people at my PCA! :P) thanks though mate that's settled my nerves a lot! (And if there's any issues I'll be referring them to your comment! :P )

Dont make the Doc hate me before ive even had my own medica lol!
In simple terms heroin, morphine and codeine are all opiates. However codeine is a considerably weaker opiate than morphine and heroin. Taking codeine at a therapeutic dose shouldnt ring any alarm bells ....however it would if it became apparent through your hair sample that large amounts of codeine had been abused for a long period of time - if tested for it would show abuse of opiates. My advice - get off the pills, go to see the dentist

oh and good luck!

Orrzo · 11-04-2014 12:27am

LtCustard wrote: »

Just outta interest are u a fellow pharmacist looking a career change ?

Hi LtCustard,
Not quite a pharmacist unfortunately, ive always wanted to be a police officer and this is my first chance at going for it due to age/ lack of recruitment. Sooo yeah, fingers crossed ill not be counting out pills too much longer!....are you one of the lucky few who have been offered a place?

hopeful34 · 11-04-2014 12:57am

tdoc25315 wrote: »

I just came across some stuff on the internet that has me seriously worried, I'm waiting on a medical date which I'm assuming will be near to the end of the month like others receiving letters today (had PCA recently) and for the past week I've been on painkillers for a bad toothache. The problem is that they contain codeine (not sure if I can post brand names on here but you put them in a glass with water and they fizz) and now I'm at panic stations in case I fail my medical if they think I've been on hard stuff like morphine or heroin. Can anyone advise or settle my nerves at all? This is my dream job and I don't want it taken away by some over the counter painkillers.

I've had my medical and nurse there warned me my decongestant was "illegal" in the SMT. But if I declared it it would be fine. Randox do the test and won't declare to the police what meds you declare . The test itself will be checking that you haven't over used any med, the hair samples would show more than prescribed amounts over a 3 month period. So just declare everything is my advice. If it's not declared and shows up this will be flagged.

Shield · 11-04-2014 5:49am

Aw come on. There's a massive difference between morphine and diamorphine (Heroin) and there's no way would a GP be allowed to prescribe diamorphine to someone with a bad toothache by the GMC. Oxycodone, maybe, but that would be after going up from paracetamol/codeine 500/30 and it not working.

Cancer patients on their death bed are lucky to be prescribed diamorphine because there's nowhere to go from there but to give more and more until the patient eventually passes.

whatinthe · 11-04-2014 8:08am

That's a depressing start to the weekend ha

Belfastm · 11-04-2014 3:40pm

Just outta interest, are many of you guys being charged for your GP to tick their boxes in the medical questionnaire? Just been stroked £25 to basically say i'm all good.

hopeful34 · 11-04-2014 3:41pm

Belfastm wrote: »

Just outta interest, are many of you guys being charged for your GP to tick their boxes in the medical questionnaire? Just been stroked £25 to basically say i'm all good.

I was charged £20

charlie_six · 11-04-2014 4:00pm

Nope, got mine for free. Anyone still waiting on medical date? No post again today

El_Triboy · 11-04-2014 4:04pm

Belfastm wrote: »

Just outta interest, are many of you guys being charged for your GP to tick their boxes in the medical questionnaire? Just been stroked £25 to basically say i'm all good.

Paid €35 for mine

gmck26 · 11-04-2014 4:05pm

Belfastm wrote: »

Just outta interest, are many of you guys being charged for your GP to tick their boxes in the medical questionnaire? Just been stroked £25 to basically say i'm all good.

That was a bit steep. Mine charged £10

El_Triboy · 11-04-2014 4:06pm

tdoc25315 wrote: »

I just came across some stuff on the internet that has me seriously worried, I'm waiting on a medical date which I'm assuming will be near to the end of the month like others receiving letters today (had PCA recently) and for the past week I've been on painkillers for a bad toothache. The problem is that they contain codeine (not sure if I can post brand names on here but you put them in a glass with water and they fizz) and now I'm at panic stations in case I fail my medical if they think I've been on hard stuff like morphine or heroin. Can anyone advise or settle my nerves at all? This is my dream job and I don't want it taken away by some over the counter painkillers.

Just declare it on you're testing form and it should be okay

11-04-2014 4:09pm

I was told by a mate to bring a list of everything you've taken in the past 3 months (listing active ingredients) along with you. Some over the counter drugs can give false positives so it's best to have a think of everything you might have taken for your cold/norovirus/headaches and make sure they know about it! It says in the blurb that they will only report back to the psni anything they believe to be dodgy, so the more informed they are the better!

boblaw88 · 13-04-2014 7:21pm

Hi All!

E-mails were taken over and a lot of account info was in danger so I closed my old account. Only getting the time no to create a new dummy account and re-register.

My medical is this week, a week into online learning as well!

Dutch_Rudder · 14-04-2014 12:05pm

Hi everyone, is anyone still waiting on a date for their medical? I passed my PCA on the afternoon session of the 2nd April (if there are problems with me mentioning the date let me know and I'll remove it) and was just wondering if there are others who still haven't got a letter?

charlie_six · 14-04-2014 12:15pm

Dutch_Rudder wrote: »

Hi everyone, is anyone still waiting on a date for their medical? I passed my PCA on the afternoon session of the 2nd April (if there are problems with me mentioning the date let me know and I'll remove it) and was just wondering if there are others who still haven't got a letter?

I passed on same session, still waiting on date. As we were last through PCA maybe makes sense we are last to get letters.

coogie_boogie · 14-04-2014 8:36pm

I passed my PCA same date (am session) I have recieved access to online leraning but nothing else / no medical date. Also is it letter via post or email regarding the medical??

boblaw88 · 14-04-2014 8:58pm

I got a letter kid!

coogie_boogie · 14-04-2014 10:37pm

boblaw88 wrote: »

I got a letter kid!

Kid? I could be older than you for all you know boblaw88 lol, thanks anyway!

boblaw88 · 15-04-2014 5:49pm

haha sorry, was on form last night! you'll pick me out when we're through the doors of hotel g!

Dutch_Rudder · 16-04-2014 11:15am

Hi Shield or anyone in the know, could someone maybe give me the number for Occupational Health & Well-being? I've just received the letter with my medical date but unfortunately another candidate's letter was enclosed in the envelope as well! When I picked it up I wondered why it was so thick, anyway I'm sure this guy is on eggshells waiting for this so I want to get it sorted as quickly as possible. Cheers!

vickmackey · 16-04-2014 11:19am

NOT GOOD!!

Dutch_Rudder · 16-04-2014 11:26am

Got it sorted, phoned local police station at non-emergency number and they patched me through to OHW.

coogie_boogie · 16-04-2014 11:38am

I also need a contact number or an email address that works as the one provided on the letter is not liked by my email account.

charlie_six · 16-04-2014 5:13pm

Got medical date, looking forward to it

Ploddington Pea · 16-04-2014 8:01pm

Dutch_Rudder wrote: »

Hi Shield or anyone in the know, could someone maybe give me the number for Occupational Health & Well-being? I've just received the letter with my medical date but unfortunately another candidate's letter was enclosed in the envelope as well! When I picked it up I wondered why it was so thick, anyway I'm sure this guy is on eggshells waiting for this so I want to get it sorted as quickly as possible. Cheers!

Hi dutch, do you mind if I ask the initials of the person whose letter you received in error? Just wondering if it's me. Thanks

Dutch_Rudder · 16-04-2014 10:46pm

Ploddington Pea wrote: »

Hi dutch, do you mind if I ask the initials of the person whose letter you received in error? Just wondering if it's me. Thanks

OHW told me to destroy it on the phone and it only said Mr B***** (not sure on length of name and there was no forename either) if you want you can PM me your UID and I'll tell you if it matches. Don't want to give out sensitive information for obvious reasons!

Ploddington Pea · 17-04-2014 7:24am

Dutch_Rudder wrote: »

OHW told me to destroy it on the phone and it only said Mr B***** (not sure on length of name and there was no forename either) if you want you can PM me your UID and I'll tell you if it matches. Don't want to give out sensitive information for obvious reasons!

I'm not going to give out my uid dutch, but thanks that answers my question, i only asked for initials to keep it safe and anonymous.

burgerburger · 17-04-2014 3:13pm

Does anyone know the number for occupational health I've tried 02890 700719 and it keeps ringing out?

DesertCreat_15 · 17-04-2014 4:44pm

burgerburger wrote: »

Does anyone know the number for occupational health I've tried 02890 700719 and it keeps ringing out?

Apparently Calling 101 and asking to get patched through works!

boblaw88 · 17-04-2014 6:05pm

Passed Medical!!!! YEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Mr.Peanut · 17-04-2014 6:33pm

boblaw88 wrote: »

Passed Medical!!!! YEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Where you in the second group Bob? U find out on the day if you passed?

Sdcharger · 17-04-2014 6:57pm

boblaw88 wrote: »

Passed Medical!!!! YEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Well done! Have mine soon. Does anyone know how you would know if you fail vetting. Just wondering if i pass medical if i should get my hopes up for a call to start or if a letter will come through failing Vetting.

boblaw88 · 17-04-2014 7:16pm

I was in the 2nd batch of passes, not the delay group though.

gmck26 · 17-04-2014 7:22pm

Sdcharger wrote: »

Well done! Have mine soon. Does anyone know how you would know if you fail vetting. Just wondering if i pass medical if i should get my hopes up for a call to start or if a letter will come through failing Vetting.

If you fail vetting they contact you to give you your right of appeal. If you pass you usually don't hear anything do no news is normally good news.

However take into account that at times vetting can take months to complete!

pcplod · 18-04-2014 7:56am

Hi folks, long time lurker, first time poster, passed the ac in dec, passed pca beginning of month but still waiting on medical date, should i be concerned that some folk have got theirs and i havnt?

PSNI Recruitment - Stage 4 - The Medical

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