A diabetic paramedic claims he has been discriminated against because his bosses have banned him from working in ambulances.Oh..?
He said: "I believe this is a clear case of discrimination. They are claiming I'm unfit to drive an ambulance, which is not the case. I’m still driving my car."Well, yes, but are you driving your car at top speed through red lights with a casualty in the back?
No? Not really the same, then, is it?
Mr Perry took his case to a grievance hearing and ambulance bosses promised to review the risk assessment.For once, it’s nice to see them not backing down the minute someone waves the ‘discrimination’ card.
A spokesman for Secamb said: "The Trust has followed the due legal process throughout in this case with trade union involvement.
"We have looked closely at this member of staff's individual circumstances and it has been determined that he cannot be employed in a frontline role which requires emergency driving. This case will be reviewed in the future in light of any change in medical advice."
Your employers takes steps to ensure your working conditions are as safe as possible for you and those you work with and you whine about it ? Bizarre.
ReplyDeleteI'm not diabetic but one of my supposedly adult kids has type 1 so I know a little about it.
ReplyDeleteI have some sympathy with the paramedic in this case. As a diabetic you are treated as disabled almost everywhere but its almost impossible to get disability benefits for it.
Try looking for gainful employment with diabetes. It ain't easy, employers can't take the risk.
Of course, IF in this case, there is a risk of the paramedic going into a shock/fit then he shouldn't be driving.
Without knowing specific details of his condition ie whether or not his condition is under control with medication or if he's prone to any shall we say losses of concentration under stress.
ReplyDeleteIf his condition is under control, I don't see a problem. If not, he shouldn't be in the job in the first place.
I take it he's a white, nominally Christian male? If not it wouldn't be an issue as they'd just keep lowering the standards until he met the requirements.
" If not, he shouldn't be in the job in the first place."
ReplyDeleteIf not he shouldn't have a driving licence in the first place. But the fact that he does would seem to my mind to indicate that he is also 'fit' to drive an ambulance.
Its probably all just 'health and safety' ie his employers or their insurance doesn't want to take the risk of being sued.
As someone else aptly remarked, his main 'disability' is no doubt the fact that he is a white non-muslim heterosexual.
I would have no problem being in the back of an ambulance driven by a diabetic. There is always a possibility that anyone can pass out at the wheel at anytime for any number of reasons and Type 1 diabetics usually get some 'warning' of an approaching attack and would pull over.
"I have some sympathy with the paramedic in this case. "
ReplyDeleteI'd have a bit too, but for his insistence that driving a car should qualify him for driving an ambulance...
"I take it he's a white, nominally Christian male? If not it wouldn't be an issue as they'd just keep lowering the standards until he met the requirements."
Tut! How cynical! ;)
"Its probably all just 'health and safety' ie his employers or their insurance doesn't want to take the risk of being sued."
There's probably a lot to that - not sure how they are covered by insurance, but I'd expect it to be much, much stricter than normal drivers insurance.