PSNI Recruitment - Stage 4 - The Medical

carlty888 · 29-08-2008 11:51am

inspector71 wrote: »

How much notice do they normally give you about your medical, I was given 12 days notice, barely enough time to get a doctors appointment to fill out the MHQ!

I didn't think they were putting people through their medicals this year without being sure.

Has anyone else got one yet? Mine came in a big A4 envelope and the address was hand written - if anyone is on the lookout for the postman.

I don't wanna get too over excited though, but I'm taken it as another good sign and moving in the right direction.

My postman is starting to get freaked out!

He's my 7th since the IST.

It's definately a good sign that you've got the medical. They aren't gonna hand them out to someone who's just scraped a pass in the A/C.

12 days notice is about normal. Last year I had to pick up my MHQ from my doctor on the way to the medical. :eek: I was crapping myself that it wouldn't be ready. Got there in the end though.

owen1976 · 29-08-2008 12:44pm

Im wondering is the merit pool ready now that you got a date for your medical? Does anyone want to ring and find out i would but i already rang at the begining of this week and I hated to ring again incase they know its me!!:eek::eek::eek::eek: HaHa

MrsGeneHunt · 29-08-2008 12:45pm

owen1976 wrote: »

Im wondering is the merit pool ready now that you got a date for your medical? Does anyone want to ring and find out i would but i already rang at the begining of this week and I hated to ring again incase they know its me!!:eek::eek::eek::eek: HaHa

Put on an accent lol:D

Like Taggart.....there's been a murrrrr-duuurrrrrr

owen1976 · 29-08-2008 12:49pm

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

Put on an accent lol:D

Like Taggart.....there's been a murrrrr-duuurrrrrr

If only you could hear my talk there would be no chance. Id just sound like a taggart from belfast on steroids. lol

pb999 · 29-08-2008 3:46pm

i got my medical forms yesterday as well and have it around the same time as inspector71, pretty much in the same boat in that i got my vetting etc way back in july. my only concern is the lack of time to get the MHQ filled out by my gp, last time i had over 3 weeks notice and my gp took near the full 3 weeks to sort my MHQ (low priority for them i guess) with only 7 working days for it to be completed i'm worried it wont be ready in time, and unfortunately i couldnt get an appointment to sort it, so had to leave it with them. and i too wasnt expecting to hear about medicals until mid-september! :eek:

inspector71 · 29-08-2008 5:26pm

i managed an appointment at my local surgery, but not with my usual doctor. I got one with a stand in doctor who doesn't know me and the MHQ ask the doctor such questions as "based on records and your personal knowledge of the candidate, would you trust him with a gun?"
I could be fred west for all this quy knows!

pb999 - we did our ACs on the same day!

pb999 · 29-08-2008 6:33pm

inspector71 wrote: »

pb999 - we did our ACs on the same day!

thats right, forgot i'd pm'd you about that!

i'm just wondering what the policy is if our MHQ's aren't signed off by GP in time, i know they say no rescheduling of appointments, but hopefully it wont come to that!

inspector71 · 29-08-2008 6:45pm

To clarify this for me here -

Does everyone who passes the AC get invited to a medical?

- and -

In what what order do they invite you?

Is it by merit score, by date of AC, alphabetical order, shoe size....?

I need to put this to sleep before I start drinking tonight

carlty888 · 29-08-2008 6:54pm

inspector71 wrote: »

To clarify this for me here -
Does everyone who passes the AC get invited to a medical?

- and -

In what what order do they invite you?

Is it by merit score, by date of AC, alphabetical order, shoe size....?

I need to put this to sleep before I start drinking tonight

Not everyone who passes the A/C will get called for a medical. Only those who will have scored high enough to get the call or be part of wastage (I don't like that term, but it is what it is).

As for the order? Who knows? Some people have suggested candidate number. This seems logical, but to date it hasn't been confirmed.

belfastard · 30-08-2008 12:58am

pb999 wrote: »

thats right, forgot i'd pm'd you about that!

i'm just wondering what the policy is if our MHQ's aren't signed off by GP in time, i know they say no rescheduling of appointments, but hopefully it wont come to that!

great news guys, surely a good sign and a step forward, got me excited as i got my vetting 9-10 days after my ac, what date did you do your ac?pm if ya like! thanks

inspector71 · 31-08-2008 10:08am

The medical info said to wear clothes appropriate for a medical examination when you go to the med, I take it tracksuit bottoms/shorts and a t-shirt would be grand ?
Has anyone ever wore a suit to one?
quite worried about not getting my regular doctor to fill out my MHQ, has anyone else had similar problems!
At first I was complaining about how little notice I was given, but it seems like the days are dragging towards it!

goodcopbadcop · 31-08-2008 10:17am

I wore tracksuit bottoms and t shirt. Cant imagine anyone turning up in a suit, its not a formal meeting or anything.

Its just you and a nurse in a room doing some tests and talking about your past, shes not going to be impressed by your clothes and let you in the police so dont wear a suit thinking it will impress people

I took my MHQ to Gp and he signed it and ticked all the boxes there and then, free of charge as well. I have had him as my doc since i was born though so he knows me. Some of them will ask for £20 to sign the forms

inspector71 · 31-08-2008 10:20am

I'm gonna see if i can get a cancellation for my regular GP I think, I've got the stand in guy to fall back on, but my actual GP I've known so long he recalls me peeing on him when i was a baby

:o:o.

Just calculated my BMI and it was 27.5!!

goodcopbadcop · 31-08-2008 10:26am

Yeah it can help speed things up if you have a good doctor.

I worried about the BMI thing as well cause I was pretty heavy but when she measured me on the day it worked out to be 25.5 and I had worked it out to be 28.5. They measure you with shoes on so make sure you stand up every inch you can, and dont eat much before it, and make sure you get to the ****ter in the morning... every little helps

owen1976 · 31-08-2008 10:39am

inspector71 wrote: »

I'm gonna see if i can get a cancellation for my regular GP I think, I've got the stand in guy to fall back on, but my actual GP I've known so long he recalls me peeing on him when i was a baby :o:o.

Just calculated my BMI and it was 27.5!!

Dont worry about it as long as your body fat isn't to bad it should be fine. My BMI is 31 but my bodyfat is around 10% and I don't think i can change that unless i grow a bit taller or strave myself until I get a nedical date.

inspector71 · 31-08-2008 10:47am

owen1976 wrote: »

Dont worry about it as long as your body fat isn't to bad it should be fine. My BMI is 31 but my bodyfat is around 10% and I don't think i can change that unless i grow a bit taller or strave myself until I get a nedical date.

If your BMI is less than 30 though they don't test your body fat, is that right?

owen1976 · 31-08-2008 11:00am

inspector71 wrote: »

If your BMI is less than 30 though they don't test your body fat, is that right?

Yeah thats right. Don't worry to much, your BMI is under 30 at the min. So as long as you don't go to chip heaven between now and your medical you'll be fine.

smyff · 31-08-2008 11:50am

if they take a hair sample n your head hair is really short do they take a hair sample elsewhere. like from your legs or something?

inspector71 · 31-08-2008 12:00pm

smyff wrote: »

if they take a hair sample n your head hair is really short do they take a hair sample elsewhere. like from your legs or something?

To answer your question :

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

Hate to spoil the fun MGH of the thought of the good old 'slap heads' getting the short and curlys plucked. I looked at the sheet that i think came with the vetting forms (maybe it was AC pass letter) and it says pubic hair would not be used:D:D

They say a "sample" means- and I quote;

(a) a sample of hair, other than pubic, complete with roots;
(b) saliva; or
(c) a swab taken from the mouth

So good news for all you baldies:)

According to my medical pack -
"a collection of samples such as urine, hair, blood and saliva"

Anyone have trouble peeing on demand?

JVB · 31-08-2008 12:16pm

owen1976 wrote: »

Dont worry about it as long as your body fat isn't to bad it should be fine. My BMI is 31 but my bodyfat is around 10% and I don't think i can change that unless i grow a bit taller or strave myself until I get a nedical date.

10% body fat is very good. Don't try and change that.

goodcopbadcop · 31-08-2008 12:18pm

yeah 10% body fat at BMI of 31, you must be complete rock solid muscle man! :cool:

inspector71 · 31-08-2008 11:34pm

There's a section in the medical health questionnaire where your asked to "Please list how many days you have been absent from work, school or college etc, in the last three years due to sickness. For each period of absense please also indicate the dates and the reason:"

I don't really know what to do here, I've had 3 jobs in this period of time and i have no idea when i was off sick. I worked in a really really boring office for a years work experience when i was at uni, and i hated it and was 'sick' quite often!

I can't remember the last time i was off for anything more than a day, or when i was off with anything more serious than a dose of the skitters and i DEFINATELY cant remember when any of these are!

I'm sure plenty of you have seen this section before, anyone got any advice? It would be MUCH appreciated.

conor123 · 01-09-2008 12:31am

i just put down anything big. had an operation on my wrist a few years ago and that was it. was off for a month.
pretty hard to remember every single day you have ever been sick in three years

given1 · 01-09-2008 9:52am

inspector71 wrote: »

There's a section in the medical health questionnaire where your asked to "Please list how many days you have been absent from work, school or college etc, in the last three years due to sickness. For each period of absense please also indicate the dates and the reason:"

I don't really know what to do here, I've had 3 jobs in this period of time and i have no idea when i was off sick. I worked in a really really boring office for a years work experience when i was at uni, and i hated it and was 'sick' quite often!

I can't remember the last time i was off for anything more than a day, or when i was off with anything more serious than a dose of the skitters and i DEFINATELY cant remember when any of these are!

I'm sure plenty of you have seen this section before, anyone got any advice? It would be MUCH appreciated.

i wouldnt worry to much inspector, i think it means if you were of for any prolonged periods for example personal reasons, stress etc! if you were of for just a day or two here and then,it wouldnt be worth writing down,i could be wrong tho!

carlty888 · 01-09-2008 11:24am

I must be some kind of anorak. I've got a list of any dates I've been off. I need to get out more.

goodcopbadcop · 01-09-2008 11:27am

dont see the point in making a problem where there isnt one. Think its long peroids of illness they are looking for, everyone has a bit of sickness now and again

smyff · 01-09-2008 11:35am

ive been working since i was 17 and only taken 1 weeks holiday which was for my 18th. 1 sick day, cause i had the ****s due to too much buckfast :S

smyff · 01-09-2008 11:38am

btw, when is the actual start date for the medical to start? and when would it be due to end?

goodcopbadcop · 01-09-2008 11:39am

last campaign I think they started last november, and were still going at the end of may, maybe even into June.

smyff · 01-09-2008 11:41am

hmmmmm so that means that its likely it wont be for around a month then cheif?

goodcopbadcop · 01-09-2008 11:43am

Someone on here has got a medical date within the next two weeks sometime, so they have started by looks of it. Depending on if you have got vetting forms yet and how high up the merit order you are, and background, it could be anytime in the next six months.

The earlier you recieve vetting the sooner you will get a medical I believe.

smyff · 01-09-2008 11:54am

cool. theres so many things on this forum that its hard to understand!!! just means i can improve my stats (fitness i dunno where i get stats from, too much games haha) and then ill be ready if i get into the whole thing

cheers

jonboy22 · 01-09-2008 9:54pm

Hey ppl, how's it goin? i had this all typed out b4 and then my computer froze ahhhhh!! so listen this may sound a bit strange but jus bear with me lol, i thought of this when a mate came back from amsterdam. Its kind of a hypothetical situation really.

So say, for example, i pass the initial selection tests and pass the assessment centre so the next part i face is the medical/fitness test yeah, but i'm goin to amsterdam in a few weeks and say when i'm there i consume a drug e.g. weed or whatever u want to call it which is completely legal in that country. Now i come back home to N.Ire, take the medical test, get a positive reading, does that mean i fail? even though i've not done anythin illegal? and even have proof that i've recently been to amsterdam.

Bit of a mind-boggler eh? lol

Jon

JVB · 01-09-2008 10:20pm

jonboy22 wrote: »

Hey ppl, how's it goin? i had this all typed out b4 and then my computer froze ahhhhh!! so listen this may sound a bit strange but jus bear with me lol, i thought of this when a mate came back from amsterdam. Its kind of a hypothetical situation really.

So say, for example, i pass the initial selection tests and pass the assessment centre so the next part i face is the medical/fitness test yeah, but i'm goin to amsterdam in a few weeks and say when i'm there i consume a drug e.g. weed or whatever u want to call it which is completely legal in that country. Now i come back home to N.Ire, take the medical test, get a positive reading, does that mean i fail? even though i've not done anythin illegal? and even have proof that i've recently been to amsterdam.

Bit of a mind-boggler eh? lol

Jon

I love these. Yes you will fail. If you're question isn't 'hypothetical' then don't continue to the medical if selected. A drug test using hair samples will show not only show what drugs have been consumed, but approximately when it/they were consumed and to what extent. Now, my thughts are; the PSNI website may say that you will be rejected in this campaign but may re-apply. But, I would imagine your rejection criteria will be not meeting the medical standards due to drug use/abuse. This will surely then be a huge neon sign at your next medical. Again, only my thoughts on that last point.

If you're point really is 'hypothetical' (;)) then just because you consumed the drug in a country where the laws allow it, this does not make you immune laws in this country. For example, In a hypothetical situation; if I worked in Saudi Arabia and earned the right to hold dual nationality, would I be allowed to stone my British/Irish wife to death for adultery in that country and not be expected to be extradited to the UK/Ireland for trial by her family for murder?

Then again, Saudi Nationals committed attrocities on 9/11 and the only flight to leave the USA that day was bound for Saudi Arabia with Saudi Royals on board. I watch the X Files. I know these things

goodcopbadcop · 01-09-2008 10:39pm

Johnboy you old kidder...

:D

Seriously, think about it logically.

jonboy22 · 02-09-2008 1:42pm

Ok, point taken on board

So what about passive smoking of the stuff because i really don't want to fail the medical

A few of my friends are wanting me to go to amsterdam and i know what some of them will be doin :rolleyes: (should i arrest them when they come back? lol) but if i was to be with them in these 'smoking cafes', would i still fail the med test? as i am probably still consuming the stuff via passive smoking?

Also, 1 more thing, u c the hair sample, is it taken from ur head or hairs on ur arm etc?

P.S i know this all sounds strange and seedy but i'm not into any of tht carry-on but i cant help it if sum ppl i know are.

Jon

MrsGeneHunt · 02-09-2008 1:53pm

Heres a thought - dont go to Amsterdam just before a police medical.
I know thats a really out there train of thought.....

Have you even got a medical date yet anyway?

jonboy22 wrote: »

Ok, point taken on board

So what about passive smoking of the stuff because i really don't want to fail the medical A few of my friends are wanting me to go to amsterdam and i know what some of them will be doin :rolleyes: (should i arrest them when they come back? lol) but if i was to be with them in these 'smoking cafes', would i still fail the med test? as i am probably still consuming the stuff via passive smoking?

Also, 1 more thing, u c the hair sample, is it taken from ur head or hairs on ur arm etc?

P.S i know this all sounds strange and seedy but i'm not into any of tht carry-on but i cant help it if sum ppl i know are.

Jon

Gee-22 · 02-09-2008 1:56pm

Jonboy
Only a guess here but i would say if you tested positive, even due to passive smoking, it would still be a fail. The reason being you put your self in a situation were drugs were being used.

If joining the PSNI is a real dream like it is for everyone else here i would reconsider going on the trip.

bullslinebacker · 02-09-2008 2:09pm

Guys and gals,

I just thought i would let y'all know that in C13 i failed my medical on three different areas, appealed, and will now be starting on the 12th October at hotel Garnerville. Should anyone have any questions on the medical appeals process i am more than happy to pass on my (limited) knowledge. Hopefully none of you will fail anyways!!!!:D

MrsGeneHunt · 02-09-2008 3:19pm

bullslinebacker wrote: »

Guys and gals,

I just thought i would let y'all know that in C13 i failed my medical on three different areas, appealed, and will now be starting on the 12th October at hotel Garnerville. Should anyone have any questions on the medical appeals process i am more than happy to pass on my (limited) knowledge. Hopefully none of you will fail anyways!!!!:D

Was excessive facial hair one of them????!!!
I have a shocking 'tache myself:D

bullslinebacker · 02-09-2008 3:59pm

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

Was excessive facial hair one of them????!!!
I have a shocking 'tache myself:D

Sadly not! I would prefer it if we did not talk about my beard, i only have six weeks left with it!!

Honestly i have not been clean shaven since 2001! I am so sad....

Perhaps i could have a little beard memorial...

goodcopbadcop · 02-09-2008 4:01pm

how good is the beard, is it sebastian chabal standard yet? i dont have to worry about a beard, Im not that hairy yet, still have my baby smooth cheeks

MrFug · 02-09-2008 5:34pm

jonboy22 wrote: »

Ok, point taken on board

So what about passive smoking of the stuff because i really don't want to fail the medical A few of my friends are wanting me to go to amsterdam and i know what some of them will be doin :rolleyes: (should i arrest them when they come back? lol) but if i was to be with them in these 'smoking cafes', would i still fail the med test? as i am probably still consuming the stuff via passive smoking?

Also, 1 more thing, u c the hair sample, is it taken from ur head or hairs on ur arm etc?

P.S i know this all sounds strange and seedy but i'm not into any of tht carry-on but i cant help it if sum ppl i know are.

Jon

Not going is a bit drastic... just be careful! When your mates are smoking the wacky baccy, do some, er, window shopping or something - or tell them to eat buns instead! :P

But, i suppose, its better to err on the side of caution and postpone the holiday IF it means enough to you!

MrFug · 02-09-2008 5:36pm

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

Was excessive facial hair one of them????!!!
I have a shocking 'tache myself:D

Post a picture of your beard then MGH and we will comment on it

Ahhh, schoolboy humor, no matter how hard i try, i just can't rise above it.

MrsGeneHunt · 02-09-2008 7:03pm

goodcopbadcop wrote: »

how good is the beard, is it sebastian chabal standard yet? i dont have to worry about a beard, Im not that hairy yet, still have my baby smooth cheeks

You'll be alright sunshine, when puberty hits and you get bumfluff and your balls drop you'll not know whats hit ya. You'll be moving from the sopranos to the tenors quicker than you can say " you have the right to remain silent....":D

conor123 · 02-09-2008 7:11pm

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

You'll be alright sunshine, when puberty hits and you get bumfluff and your balls drop you'll not knos whats hit ya. You'll be moving from the sopranos to the tenors quicker than you can say " you have the right to remain silent....":D

speaking from experience are we MGH:eek:

MrsGeneHunt · 02-09-2008 7:12pm

conor123 wrote: »

speaking from experience are we MGH:eek:

Alright. its no secret I used tobe called Dave. Get over it.:P

conor123 · 02-09-2008 7:13pm

MrDaveHunt from now on then:D

MrsGeneHunt · 02-09-2008 7:18pm

conor123 wrote: »

MrDaveHunt from now on then:D

Now now, thats not really showing respect for diversity is it?!!! Dont get all smug just cos you're in!:D

goodcopbadcop · 02-09-2008 7:21pm

turn your back for half an hour and the filthy language isnt long coming out. Think you would be more sensible for someone hitting 40!

PSNI Recruitment - Stage 4 - The Medical

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