PSNI Recruitment (Archived)

mickey2186 · 01-02-2008 11:39PM

Thanks Martin,

I hope you are right!!

I will say it again to anyone about to go through medical..

MAKE SURE YOU TAKE ADDITIONAL INFO WITH YOU!!

A previous medical pass seems to mean nothing!

Mickey2186:)

goodcopbadcop · 02-02-2008 12:46AM

would a past hernia mean i need to bring additional info?

mickey2186 · 02-02-2008 01:21AM

goodcopbadcop,

Have a look at this.

Hernia > 3 months is probably okay, but you may need confirmation by medical specialist.

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/officers/Medical_59-2004.pdf

Mickey2186

goodcopbadcop · 02-02-2008 09:16AM

thanks micky interesting read there. What would be additional info, I mean can you just say you had the operation and you are now ok, or do you need a hospital or doctor letter for proof.

Also out of interest, if you say forgot to mention it and passed medical, could it ever get you in bother in the future.

MartinC2006 · 02-02-2008 09:43AM

Goodcopbadcop,

Of course it would, they will find out. Declare everything and provide as much information as you can. At the very least get a copy of what your GP has on file such as refferal letters, surgeons reports etc. If this isn't enough you may ened to see a medical specialist for a report.

Martin.

mickey2186 · 02-02-2008 10:51AM

goodcopbadcop,

If you tried to omit major items from you MHQ I would imagine your GP would refuse to sign it as it would compromise their position.

I heard of someone with asthma who didn't put it on the form and their GP pulled them about it.

You have to be honest with your info!

Mickey2186

goodcopbadcop · 02-02-2008 10:53AM

Dont plan on leaving anything out, just wanted to find out what stuff needed to be declared.

brando08 · 02-02-2008 12:21PM

goodcopbadcop wrote: »

Dont plan on leaving anything out, just wanted to find out what stuff needed to be declared.

Did you get a date for your medical???

Wanalaugh · 02-02-2008 07:59PM

Mickey2186

Good document you posted. Its what ive been looking for. I wanted to try and find out what frequency they test you up to. My left ear is poor after 4000Hz. It barely picks up anything after that unless you turn it right up, and then the neighbours start complaining about the noise lol
Does anyone know to what frequency they test up to ie 3,4,6 or 8KHz

Is anyone going for a medical over the next week or so, let me know.

Wanalaugh

Wanalaugh · 03-02-2008 07:50PM

Guys
How long after the medical do they contact you?
Also, i see that if you pass, someone had a telephone call to say they where offered a place.
Whats the procedure so far.

MartinC2006 · 03-02-2008 09:27PM

Wanalaugh,

I received written word about my medical about 5 weeks after it happened. Factor in a referral to my GP and Christmas so it was probably more like 2-3 working weeks of waiting.

You don't get a phone call to say you've passed, you get a phone call to offer you a place on a particular intake. In my case I got the call before I received the letter about my medical but for others they may receive a call months after they get their feedback. It all depends on how highly you scored, how early you applied and how quickly you get through the medical/vetting. It’s entirely possible that someone in the 400's could be in the first intake and number 1 could be in the last.

Hope that makes sense.

Martin.

justaquestion · 04-02-2008 02:50PM

hi guys

i did my medical on tuesday and received word today that i failed due to my bmi being 30.8. letter said i had 7 days to appeal. do any of you know from experience whether i will be put through if i get my bmi below 30 or is the appeals process pointless

justaquestion

jim2008 · 04-02-2008 03:05PM

Put in your appeal asap then get out and start running your ass off if ya really want it then it is worth a shot. with a bmi off 30.8 you could easy drop down within the week.

MartinC2006 · 04-02-2008 03:48PM

Justaquestion,

Firstly, I'm sorry you didn't pass, I'm sure your gutted.

I’m unsure of how the appeals process works however I would start it ASAP.

Take what I have to say here with a pinch of salt but I think there must be something else apart from your BMI affecting your application. My understanding is your BMI will only be used as a deciding factor if there are other pre-existing conditions, class 2 diabetes for example. I find it very hard to believe that you would be failed just for your BMI, in fact I think the guidelines laid down for the Doctor will tell them this.

BMI is not a good scale, it’s widely accepted it only works for geriatrics. Most rugby players as an example are overweight or obese. What they should be using is a body fat index but that’s another thread.

I’m not sure if this help or make things worse but I think you should ask yourself is there anything else coupled with your BMI that may have affected the decision. How was your mobility? Are you very unfit? Do you look very overweight? My intention is not to be mean but you may find some solace being true to yourself.

In any case appeal ASAP and get that BMI dropped.

Good luck.

Martin.

Ethan321 · 04-02-2008 04:24PM

Kinda have to agree with Martin on this one, there must be another factor in there. All the same it is worth trying to change the BMI. If you need any advice on training or nutrition to gain fitnees/lose fat then just PM me;)

How was your lung function test by the way?
Mine came out good as i do alot of running, 10k races etc.

justaquestion · 04-02-2008 05:35PM

lung test took a few attempts but was fine. bp was fine, pulse etc fine. the one problem they found was a slight hearing impairment in regards to high frequencies, but thats not mentioned on the letter, just bmi. pretty guted. went to doctor this afternoon who tested bmi and was 29.1. on day of medical this would have been fine

MartinC2006 · 04-02-2008 05:53PM

I highly doubt you have been failed just for your BMI, it would be against guide lines specified for the medical for this to happen. However putting that aside for a second let’s assume that you are right and this is the case.

Start the appeals process straight away and try to speak to the Doctor directly. Tell her you felt bloated that day and where wearing heavy clothes/boots. Ask her to confirm that it is your BMI and BMI alone that has failed you. If this is confirmed question why it was used as the single factor as to why you where failed. Highlight the fact you have read that this should not be the case according to the national recruitment standards for police recruitment

Ask your Doctor for a written statement of your fitness and reading of a BMI below 30.

Assuming this gets you another bite at the cherry there are ways to cut weight quickly. Cutting weight quickly can harm your health so I’ll leave that alone.

Good luck.

Martin.

mickey2186 · 04-02-2008 06:58PM

Justaquestion,

Can you get print outs from your Doctor with your weight and height measurements?

Last year when I did the medical my height was measured standing in socks and weight was done in the Doctors room wearing a light medical gown.

I noticed this year that the weight was measured fully clothed..this could account for approx 2kg, also height was measured wearing shoes.

What adjustment do they use?

It appears they are being very sticky this time, I assume because anyone doing a medical at this stage is more than likely to be offered a place.

When you say 'lung function took a few tries', they do use 'best of three'.

As far as I know as long as you can create three similar traces within the 'blue' section on the screen you will pass okay.

Were you able to touch the toes, stand on one foot with eyes closed etc???

Definately lodge the appeal and don't give up!!!

Mickey2186

Wanalaugh · 04-02-2008 08:32PM

Guys
The medical this time seems to be very strict indeed. When i went for it in the past , they seemed to rush through everything and even when my blood pressure was high, they said as i had proved in the past that i could get it settled, they passed me (my last medical). My hearing was also dreadfull, but nothing was mentioned. Going by Martins document, you could be poor in one ear and good in the other and still pass.
Reference the appeal for my blood pressure, all i had to do was submit a letter from my GP which gave the new BP reading. This was always accepted. Dont miss out on this one kido, get running and eat proper food. Going by the reading from your doc, i think this would be good enough to get you through. Also guys, they must tell you everything that they fail you on (so ive been told).

goodcopbadcop · 04-02-2008 08:39PM

medicals must be harder now than in the past, i have seen quite a few police men who would struggle to run after anyone to be fair, good to see they are making things harder and therefore having fitter, more capable police officers out there.

mickey2186 · 04-02-2008 09:18PM

Wanalaugh,

Did you pass all of your previous medicals?

Mind you before I did the hearing test the nurse said 'You may find the medical different this time as 'we are doing it'

I took this to mean PSNI OH were tougher than the private medical companies that previously ran the medicals.

Perhaps previous medical passes are now 'not worth the paper they are written on'. LOL:)

Mickey2186

justaquestion · 05-02-2008 10:14AM

guys, any of you in training or currently serving officers. could you possibly tell me what exactly is required in training. how many sit ups or press ups required. how many miles to run. i need to include this stuff in my appeal letter. im confident i could do it but need to compare it to what i curently do

justaquestion

MartinC2006 · 05-02-2008 10:39AM

Not a serving officer or in training yet but;

Information on the physical competence assessment.
http://www.psni.police.uk/index/careers/pca-test.htm

Sample Video of the actual PCA.
http://www.psni.police.uk/press/pca-test.wmv

I believe there is a 5k run round Garnerville which is to be done in less than 25 minutes. I don't believe this is officially assessed though.

BMI is not a measure of fitness, it’s an approximation of whether your weight falls within a healthy range. My BMI is about 27.5 (Overweight) but I have a good level of fitness (sub 50 resting pulse, good recovery times etc). My friend on the other hand has a BMI of about 22 (Normal) but due to smoking, no exercise in years, bad diet etc couldn’t run the length of himself. Is he healthier than me? I think not.

If your failure was due solely to your BMI you should concentrate on evidence supporting this is not the case. If you Doctor writes that your BMI is below 30 and you have a good level of fitness I think you’ll be fine.

Good luck.

Martin.

justaquestion · 05-02-2008 10:45AM

appreciated martin. thanks

thanks for the morale boosting support too

justaquestion

Wanalaugh · 05-02-2008 10:54AM

The only thing about the standard of how th emedical is carried out, is that it must be in line with the criteria set out on the document that was attached earlier. All i can do is hope for the best.

mickey2186 · 05-02-2008 11:02AM

Justaquestion

I'm similar to Martin..my measurements as taken on the day would have given me a BMI 27.1, however I believe I am actually approx 2 kg lighter than I read on the scales (clothes and shoes were still on).

Fitness wise I do approx 30-40 mins per day on a Cross Trainer, 100 press ups per day & some weights.

30 Mins on the cross trainer is similar to approx 7km, but of course running outside is a bit different!!

BMI therefore is not everything, I would imagine they are looking at the overall picture.

If you don't smoke etc and can convince them that you take exercise on a regular basis, you have a good case!!

Regards.

Mickey2186.

MartinC2006 · 05-02-2008 12:26PM

That’s good going Mickey, do you play any sports?

My problem is going to be functional fitness, I’ve never been much of a runner. I train 4 x 2 hours a week in martial arts and swim when I can. I’ve represented N.Ireland and Ireland for 2 martial arts, I also played water polo for Ireland up until a few years ago.

So I’m thinking to myself, running should be no bother! I went out last week for my first run in about a decade. Did about 3.5 miles in 25 minutes. Pretty disappointed in myself but I just found my chest getting so tight with the cold air. Haven’t had a chance to get out since but I’ll need to up that a bit obviously.

Any word on your medical? Get all your information in?

Martin.

Wanalaugh · 05-02-2008 12:54PM

Mickey2186
I meant to say. Yea, i passed all the previous medicals. i know i said that it sounds like this new medical seems harder. But i was told that BMI who used to do all the medicals before, where very strict and would not pass anyone until they had firm proof they where medically fit. My date is near the end of feb, and to think that i have to wait that long and possibily add another 5 weeks to hear if i passed, is a pain in the butt lol. All this wainting is going to kill me.

mickey2186 · 05-02-2008 01:16PM

Martin,

Don't really play any sports anymore (everyone is now married and not allowed out to play!)..however do sail twice a week from March to October. Good for the upper body strength (try winding in a foresail in a force six!), it's also good for the balance and general crawling, climbing etc..

Like you I am not a big fan of running (probably because I find it boring!), but will have start doing a bit more!

Have not got the info back to them yet..they have given me 4 weeks from last Thursday. Had to get operation notes from hospital etc and will hopefully see consultant next week.

I hope his report + letter from GP will do the trick. Am also going to put in a copy of last years pass letter which says I am currently considered fit!!

Mickey2186.

GEMMAT1984 · 05-02-2008 02:41PM

Could somebody who has been for the medical tell me everything that happens, this is my first time goin for it and don't really know what to expect or what to do to prepare for it. Is there any difference between the tests for females and males. Also i got my blood pressure tested and its 118/82 i think thats quite bad does anyone know wat they class as high blood pressure

Ta

PSNI Recruitment (Archived)

Comments