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URTU backs free driver medicals
Page 19
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DELEGATES AT this year's TUC conference have thrown their weight behind the United Road Transport Union's campaign for free medical examinations, (CM 26 August).
The motion was unanimously supported in Brighton after URTU general secretary Bob Monks pointed out that doctors are charging truckers as much as £120 for a medical.This is compulsory every five years once the driver passes the age of 45.
According to URTU the British Medical Association (BMA) suggests a charge of £67.50 but URTU wants to see the fees paid by the NHS.
Monks told the conference that abolishing the fees would help to improve the driver shortage problem: In March of this year the Large Goods Vehicle licence renewal fee was abolished, which was a positive step in keeping driven in the industry.
"Action by the government on this motion to remove medical examination fees would continue the good work in ensuring that encouragement is given to professional drivers to renew their licence and removing yet another obstacle affecting the retention of drivers within the logistics industry," he said.