PSNI Recruitment - Stage 4 - The Medical

D4z wrote: »

I've got my date and email, however it doesn't really specify what will be done on the date. I overheard people at the pca mention it and it sounded a bit probey.

I didn't get an email about the medical. It was a letter and had all the info attached. Cause as far as I know you need to show your letter when you go.
Maybe contact them? Just to keep yourself right

Can anyone who has done medical recently confirm if there is changing facilities available?

Anyone think an over active thyroid would affect the chances of passing?

Legally clueless wrote: »

Hello everyone. Can someone tell me how long the medical lasts? Just wondering if I need to take the full day off work

Mine took about an hour and a half including SMT. Could take longer though if you have to see the doctor about pre existing medical conditions

Hi all, been lurking for a while now (over a year!) so I'm taking the leap and posting for the first time.
Last AC didn't go my way (failed by 1 mark!!) but hopefully the next one will. Anyway, I have a querie about the medical. Long story short, 3 years ago I was on anti-depressants following a whole host of family deaths (my own father included) and illnesses etc. I've been off the medication and totally treatment free for approximately 2 years now. From what I've read and heard from sources is that OHW like applicants to have two years free and proof that you have managed well and all is "normal" etc. Has anyone got any knowledge on this matter? I've already read the whole "I think you'll be fine" and "just wait and see" replies to others in my position. I'd really prefer someone who has experience or is close to someone who has had to go through the medical with a similar issue with regard to antidepressants to respond to this. Sorry if I seem to be giving orders but I'm sure you can understand my feelings on this as I don't want a bad year in my life as a grumpy 17 year old to ruin a potential career that I've wanted since I was a kid!!
Note; My psychiatrist stated that I was never officially diagnosed and that she is-and I quote-"throwing your file out of the window, you're fine now!" Therefore I hope this goes in my favour.
Thanks for taking the time to read! Any advice/info is greatly appreciated!

Yeah same with me. Think you only need to see the doc if you have any medical conditions.

C3POPO wrote: »

D4z wrote: »

Can someone who have completed their medical confirm if they didn't see the doctor?

It was only the 2 rooms of procedures then the drugs test?

Did you not do the mobility tests (hopping, checking joints), blood pressure etc with the doc? If not, then I would follow up with them they might have made a mistake and assumed you had seen the doc!

Just saw that somebody else didnt see the doc. Maybe they took that part out of the Campaign 3 medical?

From what I gathered the Doctor only needed to see you to discuss any issues that came up in the first two rooms.

OK folks I was a little heavier recently at 93kg. Needed to get to 87.5kg to meet the bmi requirement.
I'm now pretty much borderline at 87.3kg. Has anyone failed on bmi alone? Can you be out of the running now due to being heavier even if you passed fitness with no issues?
Thanks.

yet another lurker wrote: »

Substance misuse

My hair length is about 2cm on my head and not sure if I have enough in my armpits! Anyone know what happens if hair isn't at the required 3cm?

I got enough from my head but the SMT guy explained what would happen if I hadn't. Basically, they need to get hair from other parts of your body that makes enough of a sample of about the size of a cotton wool ball but not as dense. I think he said they only need one sample rather than the two they take for head hair.

C3POPO wrote: »

yet another lurker wrote: »

OK folks I was a little heavier recently at 93kg. Needed to get to 87.5kg to meet the bmi requirement.
I'm now pretty much borderline at 87.3kg. Has anyone failed on bmi alone? Can you be out of the running now due to being heavier even if you passed fitness with no issues?
Thanks.

This is an interesting one. The notes with the appointment letter says that if you are over BMI then you have to take the PCA, but we have all taken and passed the PCA to get as far as the medical so I dont know what they would do. I assume you would be OK?

Hello, I'm from a medical background & when we are calculating BMI we take your Lean to Fat ratio into account. So i'd say if you can pass the PCA with no problems, they shouldn't fail you on your BMI. I also have a few friends currently in GV or already passed through and their BMI's wouldnt have been within "normal" range!! Hope this helps

D4z wrote: »

How long did it take from the medical to receiving the results?

Haven't done my medical yet, it's next week! But I've been told it takes 3 weeks!

Sorry I thought you meant the SMT results!

C3POPO wrote: »

yet another lurker wrote: »

OK folks I was a little heavier recently at 93kg. Needed to get to 87.5kg to meet the bmi requirement.
I'm now pretty much borderline at 87.3kg. Has anyone failed on bmi alone? Can you be out of the running now due to being heavier even if you passed fitness with no issues?
Thanks.

This is an interesting one. The notes with the appointment letter says that if you are over BMI then you have to take the PCA, but we have all taken and passed the PCA to get as far as the medical so I dont know what they would do. I assume you would be OK?

I had to see the doctor after my medical and he raised my BMI being high. I am 120kgs and was passed fit. Told to start more cardio work and he couldn't fail me because I passed the fitness test so people stop worrying about BMI it means nothing if you can pass the fitness test.

I do believe colour vision is something you can fail in. Where firearms are involved it's critical.

D4z wrote: »

I'm more concerned about the year of my life this has taken up, just to fall at this hurdle. When applying it states you cannot join with severe colour deficiency, however I am diagnosed with mild.

I read on a FOI they require 7/10 normal vision to pass, surely 3 incorrect doesn't make you fall under severe?

I wouldn't worry, I have been told on numerous occassions that I am severely colourblind yet I passed the medical in C1 and managed to get all the cards correct....I would imagine if you were fully colourblind that would be the only way to fail.

With regards to colourblindness and firearms it wouldn't really be that big of an issue as you can serve in the armed forces whilst being colourblind.

D4z wrote: »

The nurse told me I got all 10 wrong, then tried the cards with the numbers inside them, claimed I got all 27 wrong. Even though I was sure I got some of them right, for example there was a purple with yellow number inside and I'm only red/green, but apparently I got it wrong as well.

I guess I'll have to appeal and see if I can attempt it again.

The ones with the numbers inside I would get all but one or two wrong but the test with the squares I seem to do well on, I'm also red green colourblind and it is at a level where I couldn't serve as an engineer in the army.

I can differeniate between colours and shades no problem in day to day life, the only time I have ever struggled is with those number cards.

If you do fail based on colour perception appeal it anyway.

This is a good read for those who haven't seen it before. No mention of eyesight in this one though.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/100695/621216.doc

C3POPO wrote: »

Don't worry until you get the e-mail from Medical. You only fail eyesight if you are a monochromat (I learned a new word today!!).

I cant post links, but search for "HOC 25/2003" and the first result takes you to the policecouldyou site with the eyesight standards doc.

Here ya go

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/documents/hoc-25-20032835.pdf?view=Binary

Anyone any idea how long the medical results take to come through? I saw someone on here say they received an e-mail the same day but I've been waiting a few already.