BREXIT
All AMEs at AMW have now been approved by the EU to continue to perform EU medical examinations from 1st January 2021. This means you should be able to have your medical examination as usual if you have changed SOLI to an EU state.
Please do let your colleagues know that we are able to continue to provide EU medicals, as we know that other AMEs have been struggling to arrange approval and there may be a number of pilots on EU licences who find they cannot return to their usual AME.
Covid-19
As you will all be aware by now, the new strain of Covid-19 is highly transmissible. We already have actions in place (see below) to minimise the risk of attending your medical by spacing appointments, maintaining social distancing where possible, improving ventilation, cleaning and wearing PPE. Please ensure you do your part by filling in your MED160 form in advance of your appointment, wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently. Do not attend your medical if you have been unwell in the last 10 days or if you have been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 symptoms in the preceding 10 days. We are always able to reschedule your appointment if required.
Bookings
We hope to return to our online booking system in the near future but please continue to email to book your appointments for now. This is to allow us to be as flexible as possible with uncertainty over ever-changing rules, tiers etc.
Student, Instructor and Redundancy Discount
We continue to offer a 25% discount for students, instructors and pilots who have been made redundant due to the impact of Covid-19. Please share this with any colleagues who find themselves out of work.
What if I am shielding or in an at-risk group?
You can tell if you should be shielding or are in an at-risk group by checking the government website. If you have a medical condition, many charities are providing excellent and up-to-date resources on their websites e.g. Asthma UK.
How will the medical work?
We are still operating a manual appointment system bookable via email amwltd@outlook.com or 01202 487887. We may take up to 48 hours to respond in order to arrange distancing appointments. Appointment times will be staggered to ensure we have only one client and two members of staff in the building at any time.
BEFORE ARRIVAL:
Please do not attend your medical if you, or a close contact, have any symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 10 days. This includes a new persistent cough, loss of sense of taste or smell and high temperature. There is a long list of less common symptoms including sore throat, rashes, gastrointestinal upset and fatigue. You should also avoid your medical if you have had any of these symptoms in the 10 days prior to your appointment or if you have had any contact with a Covid-19 patient.
If you have had symptoms and your medical is due to expire, we can utilise the extension and have plenty of capacity to rebook you.
It is essential that you download, print and complete your MED160 form in advance of the medical, not in reception on arrival.
ON ARRIVAL:
Wash your hands before attending the medical and ideally wear your own mask or face covering. If possible, carry alcohol gel with you to use before you enter the building. If you do not have a mask, one can be provided for you.
Enter the building and knock at the upstairs door to reception. Wait to be called through. Your temperature will be taken on arrival.
DURING THE MEDICAL:
Staff will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in keeping with Public Health England guidance. Your temperature will be checked and you will be asked to sanitise your hands on arrival and regularly throughout the medical. Where possible, we will maintain a two-meter distance. You will be directed to provide your urine sample and have your preliminary checks with the nurse. You will then have your consultation and examination with the doctor. There will be some changes in how the examination is carried out to avoid prolonged close contact.
AFTER THE MEDICAL:
We will provide you with your certificate as usual. Card payments and cheques will be accepted. Please do not pay with cash.
Staff will change PPE and disinfect surfaces after each patient contact. Staff will follow the same rules for self-isolation and temperature checks on arrival.
We hope this summary explains what you can expect and puts you at ease knowing we are doing all we can to minimise the risk to you and us.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions, comments or concerns.
We wish all our clients well and to stay safe.
Dr. Duane O'Reilly, Dr. Hugh Cummin, Dr. Angus Hickish and Nurse Tufty
