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Mermaid · 08-03-2008, 07:45 AM

I am peeeeed off. In two weeks we are leaving to Marsa Alam. We wanted to dive with Emperor Divers. We wrote an email and they said we should have a look at their medical form before we book. If we tick any of these 'yes' we need a medical clearance from a doctor. Ok, we both tick one yes - I perforated my eardrum last year and Kevin is over 45 and smokes. We went to the doctors yesterday and got ourselves checked out. Everything is fine and we are fit for diving. But, then it came to the cost. We would get the official letter for.....................................................

£126.90 EACH!!!!!

That is ridiculous!

(rant over)

Steppenwolf · 08-03-2008, 08:03 AM

If the doctor that you went to was your own GP, yes that charge is excessively high; but if you went to a specialist dive Dr or saw someone privately, it is not at all surprising.

Us GPs have a list of recommended charges for non-NHS consultations, certifications etc but some leeway is allowed for variations in individual circumstances. The manner in which this 'leeway' is used differs from one practice to another. We tend to charge the minimum at ours, as do most other practices. For example, if I did a 30-minute HGV medical, the taxman will assume that we have charged the minimum of £86.50 or thereabouts and so anything less will be out of pocket.

But things like a dive medical are not clearly specified in ordinary GP practices. So, £126.90 each for a simple certificate sounds like bit of a rip off, but please don't quote me.

Flyingspanner · 08-03-2008, 08:37 AM

A doc in Liverpool did mine for £25,

It may be worth the hour's drive to save yourself a packet.

Mermaid, have PM'd you his website

bottlefish · 08-03-2008, 08:54 AM

That's excessive by anyones book! My annual HSE renewal costs just £80, and I think for a first timer, £110... that's from a diving doc to clear me for commercial and professional work.

Have a look on the HSE website, find a local Diving doctor for you, I'm sure you'll get it a lot cheaper.

Oceanic · 08-03-2008, 09:17 AM

I had to visit my Doc to get Firearms clearance, and he signed and filled in some papers + checked my medical history etc for £20.

Seems like a bit of a rip off there for a peice of signed paper!

Mermaid · 08-03-2008, 10:17 AM

Thanks for all your replies. Steppen, it was our regular GP. She showed us the recommended NHS list and there is nothing she could do. She felt really sorry for us.
Anyway, before we start driving around now looking for a dive doc, does anyone know if Pioneer Divers do the same? Are they also this fussy about a medical clearance? If not we would go with them instead.

Polly · 08-03-2008, 10:35 AM

I don't remember having to do one for Pioneer to the same degree, but it might be worth e-mailing them to check it out first.

coldhands · 08-03-2008, 11:15 AM

We've always had to do a medical form - with Emperor and Blue O2. Something like being over 45 and smoking I'd be tempted to tell a whopper ("Honest, I haven't ever smoked; I just felt like taking it up while on holiday") but with a perforated eardrum you need to know it is all okay. Your doctor's charge sounds on the steep side but in relation to your health and ensuring your insurance is kosher, it's probably worth it.

Steppenwolf · 08-03-2008, 01:11 PM

Mermaid Wrote:Thanks for all your replies. Steppen, it was our regular GP. She showed us the recommended NHS list and there is nothing she could do. She felt really sorry for us.

Hmm, some fees are just recommended by the NHS, meaning that the Dr has the flexibility to charge depending on the amount of work involved. Thus, if I had to do a very detailed examination lasting an hour per person including ECG etc and the process justified the requirement for the diver's safety, then I might be able to justify the £126. This might be true for a professional diver (a police diver for example), but then that would in any case have to be done by a certified dive doctor; also, the patient would receive a reimbursement from his employers. I still feel that the fee you paid was excessive for a simple clearance for recreational diving. Please check that your GP was not looking at charges for pro-divers by mistake.

whacky · 08-03-2008, 04:17 PM

It should be very similiar for all operators, Ultimately they do these things to cover themselves. If something was to happen to you then the question would be asked.