We have a dire shortage of HGV drivers you would think they would speed up licence applications but No

[Ivory55]

Railways

Only thing is that they have built a lot of houses near the old rail heads and yards etc, and if a load of stuff is delivered there that’s awful look extra road traffic for the people living there. Is that fair on them ?

 

[JockandRita]

In the past, I have delivered daffodils to Tesco's RDC at Chepstow..............which were picked from a grower along the road from the RDC a couple of days earlier, then transported to Spalding to be packed and labelled, and sent back down to Chepstow.

I found myself doing the same with goats milk from near Selby, all the way back to Spalding to be packed and labelled, before taking it to up Tesco's RDC at Doncaster the next day.

Many folks don't appreciate, that no matter what the product is, be it food, clothes, cars, fuel, or furniture, etc, if it doesn't come off the back of a lorry, it simply won't be available to the end user..........end of.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Coolcats]

It’s time we changed the spelling of Covid to L A Z Y because that’s all it is. A very easy excuse for being lazy. That’s in many professions and industries not just DVLA. GPs are getting a slating in the press recently because they’re about the last profession to go back to work. It’s a good job others in health care were prepared to work through this pandemic. Now though, they (GPs) should start working again. Hospital waiting list grow every day because people cannot see their GP. A+E is struggling because people cannot see their GP. Everyone else is getting back to work. Why not GPs? It’s not doctors just GPs. Why?

But the GP's have been working, just talk to a few and you will see the challenges they have faced.

So GP's are not to be blamed they are doing the very best they can with resources provided, not lazy or uncaring just maxed out trying to keep you I and their patients safe.

I had a Floater appear in my eye last December, I went to the optician who checked and confirmed it was tissue from a hole in my retina, I was referred to the hospital and admitted as an emergency, (back to the factory for a retrofit) when the consultant looked he could see it was a fresh injury and to stop the retina becoming detached it was spot welded back in to place. ( the procedure is actually green laser to create scar tissue around the hole). I was at the Opticians at 11am at the Hospital by 15:30 and all fixed by 17:00 Although I did feel as if a Donkey had just kicked my eye. The procedure was 100% successful and cant say how grateful I am for not loosing my vision in one eye.

 

[Nanniemate]

In the past, I have delivered daffodils to Tesco's RDC at Chepstow..............which were picked from a grower along the road from the RDC a couple of days earlier, then transported to Spalding to be packed and labelled, and sent back down to Chepstow.

I found myself doing the same with goats milk from near Selby, all the way back to Spalding to be packed and labelled, before taking it to up Tesco's RDC at Doncaster the next day.

Many folks don't appreciate, that no matter what the product is, be it food, clothes, cars, fuel, or furniture, etc, if it doesn't come off the back of a lorry, it simply won't be available to the end user..........end of.

Cheers,

Jock.

Some stuff is going half way across the world to be packed and returned because it's cheaper to do it that way. Mad

 

[JockandRita]

Some stuff is going half way across the world to be packed and returned because it's cheaper to do it that way. Mad

Yes, and how ridiculous is that?

Jock.

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[JockandRita]

Anyway, back on topic, ie, do we still have a dire shortage of HGV/PSV drivers................................and are those of us due for licence renewals, (myself included), still suffering from a lack of processing urgency, from the very agency we depend upon?

Jock.

 

[Nanniemate]

Anyway, back on topic, ie, do we still have a dire shortage of HGV/PSV drivers................................and are those of us due for licence renewals, (myself included), still suffering from a lack of processing urgency, from the very agency we depend upon?

Jock.

I have always believed it is easier to keep it valid than try to reinstate it . It will take a lot to encourage many drivers back most that I know that have stopped driving have filed the 'will you come back' letter in the bin however a colleague has told me he is going back on the road but not until after Christmas Digi card sorted in less than 2 weeks , licence photo updated to older photo on licence that was on his passport DCPC booked next week live as he did not want to do it on line
He is planning to do 'day work' I have not met many drivers who do 9=5 so I hope he is happy and does not burn his bridges But he lives East of London so he will not be short of work

 

[JockandRita]

I have always believed it is easier to keep it valid than try to reinstate it . It will take a lot to encourage many drivers back most that I know that have stopped driving have filed the 'will you come back' letter in the bin however a colleague has told me he is going back on the road but not until after Christmas Digi card sorted in less than 2 weeks , licence photo updated to older photo on licence that was on his passport DCPC booked next week live as he did not want to do it on line
He is planning to do 'day work' I have not met many drivers who do 9=5 so I hope he is happy and does not burn his bridges But he lives East of London so he will not be short of work

Yes Nanniemate, you are right re keeping it valid, rather than trying to reinstate it.
I am only doing the hours I am happy with, for a former employer I am happy with. I too filed the "will you come back" letter in the bin, as soon as I read the bit where "Candidates can get support to renew their DCPC", or words to that effect. Absolute bollocks. What that meant was, that you may be directed in the right direction, as to a course facility/location/availability by an agency or potential employer................................. but you'd invariably end up paying for it yourself. A couple of firms in the Peterborough/Spalding area are offering a £5000 retention bonus, so they must be desperate for drivers.

I will pay for my medical, (£55), for my Class 1 HGV & PSV licence renewal come Jan - March time, but if not earning from it during 2022/23, I may well not renew it again, but if I don't, I'll still have my C1 for the MH for a few years after.

The last time I enquired with my GP for an HGV/PSV medical, I was quoted £135. Gordon F#@&ing Bennett, where do they get these prices from? As much as I'd prefer my very own GP to do my HGV/PSV medical, I refuse to be ripped off, hence going down the D4Drivers route at £55.00. That'll do for me.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Nanniemate]

Yes Nanniemate, you are right re keeping it valid, rather than trying to reinstate it.
I am only doing the hours I am happy with, for a former employer I am happy with. I too filed the "will you come back" letter in the bin, as soon as I read the bit where "Candidates can get support to renew their DCPC", or words to that effect. Absolute bollocks. What that meant was, that you may be directed in the right direction, as to a course facility/location/availability by an agency or potential employer................................. but you'd invariably end up paying for it yourself. A couple of firms in the Peterborough/Spalding area are offering a £5000 retention bonus, so they must be desperate for drivers.

I will pay for my medical, (£55), for my Class 1 HGV & PSV licence renewal come Jan - March time, but if not earning from it during 2022/23, I may well not renew it again, but if I don't, I'll still have my C1 for the MH for a few years after.

The last time I enquired with my GP for an HGV/PSV medical, I was quoted £135. Gordon F#@&ing Bennett, where do they get these prices from? As much as I'd prefer my very own GP to do my HGV/PSV medical, I refuse to be ripped off, hence going down the D4Drivers route at £55.00. That'll do for me.

Cheers,

Jock.

Yes Jock GP's are so expensive

Local to me quoted £120 per licence £240 for the same form, its a strong market now get the employer to pay it. First time ever I paid the £19.00 to renew the digi card just in case but it is in the purse with the other endangered species and very unlikely to see daylight on a commercial basis .Always believed that as long as you have a licence you will always have work if it is needed However this week heard of another 3 newly qualified drivers loosing theirs 2 to drugs and 1 to drink I did not ask what they were driving at the time too scary to ask.

It is far more fun playing with the big boy toys when you don't have to do it to feed the kids and keep a roof over their heads have fun

 

[busby]

But the GP's have been working, just talk to a few and you will see the challenges they have faced.

So GP's are not to be blamed they are doing the very best they can with resources provided, not lazy or uncaring just maxed out trying to keep you I and their patients safe.

I had a Floater appear in my eye last December, I went to the optician who checked and confirmed it was tissue from a hole in my retina, I was referred to the hospital and admitted as an emergency, (back to the factory for a retrofit) when the consultant looked he could see it was a fresh injury and to stop the retina becoming detached it was spot welded back in to place. ( the procedure is actually green laser to create scar tissue around the hole). I was at the Opticians at 11am at the Hospital by 15:30 and all fixed by 17:00 Although I did feel as if a Donkey had just kicked my eye. The procedure was 100% successful and cant say how grateful I am for not loosing my vision in one eye.

But that wasn't done by a GP. BUSBY.

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[Silver-Fox]

As much as I'd prefer my very own GP to do my HGV/PSV medical, I refuse to be ripped off, hence going down the D4Drivers route at £55.00. That'll do for me.

Just gone with D4Drivers.
Very efficient and local.

Didn’t even bother asking my Doctor even if I could of got to see him

 

[Coolcats]

But that wasn't done by a GP. BUSBY.

Indeed but the system worked once I got to the hospital in the middle of a pandemic lockdown. Speak to GP’s they are doing what they need to they are maxed out.

 

[busby]

Indeed but the system worked once I got to the hospital in the middle of a pandemic lockdown. Speak to GP’s they are doing what they need to they are maxed out.

Can't get to see ours.NHS A and E are overwhelmed because 100 k to 150 k a year GPs are not seeing patients..Where did your GP help you with your eye problems? BUSBY.

 

[Littlewheels]

As much as I'd prefer my very own GP to do my HGV/PSV medical, I refuse to be ripped off, hence going down the D4Drivers route at £55.00. That'll do for me.

I paid £165 for my Doctor to do my last medical and thought my licence didn’t exactly fly back it did come in a reasonable time, l would have gladly paid twice that amount to get a Doctors medical but they do not want to know. So like you l went down D4D route and l am now over 4 months in as the DVLA are requesting inf from my Doctor and corresponding by mail that causes such delays.
Meanwhile my life is on hold as l cannot travel to the EU. I am seriously p……. off and have no control whatsoever on the procedures that are seriously antiquated.

 

[Clipgate]

Have you checked the rates paid, given the so called shortage they are abysmal.
As for shafted what about HS2 the red wall may not quite be so convinced about integrity.
Let's see how this all pans out, integrity and freedom seem to have left the room.

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[Coolcats]

Can't get to see ours.NHS A and E are overwhelmed because 100 k to 150 k a year GPs are not seeing patients..Where did your GP help you with your eye problems? BUSBY.

Mine was a emergency referral as I could have lost an eye 👁

It was an optical problem not a general health issue a GP does not have the training or equipment to look into your eyes as they are not a specialist GP stands for General Practitioner, hence a visit to a ophthalmologist , whilst my wife is not a GP she is a Dr and has friends who are GP’s. Video consultations have been possible rather than face to face.

Consider this with waves of infections would you want people with Covid visiting your office. Plus no chance of referring as hospital specialists as they were re-assigned to treat those with Covid ! Hospitals were/ are split in to sections (including canteens) to try and not cross contaminate staff and patience. All of which has an impact down the line and back to GP’s

I should add it’s not about Money it is about resources the pandemic just like the supply chain has caused issues within the health system, even if your GP can see you, a referral is going to take ages, you may or may not be aware that the NHS is trying to resolve the long queues by utilising private hospitals as they are just inundated.

 

[jongood]

Some stuff is going half way across the world to be packed and returned because it's cheaper to do it that way. Mad

The amount of bottled water being shipped around the country is absolutely ridiculous, banning that is a substantial bit of our environmental target and lorry driver shortage solved in a stroke. And as for those who want Volvic or Evian................

 

[jongood]

Can't get to see ours.NHS A and E are overwhelmed because 100 k to 150 k a year GPs are not seeing patients..Where did your GP help you with your eye problems? BUSBY.

Mines the same, don't even answer the phone, when I went up there to try and get an appointment, the waiting room doors were sealed closed, when I eventually got through they referred me to a private dermatology clinic that works weekends because its totally staffed by moonlighting NHS staff.

 

[Coolcats]

Mines the same, don't even answer the phone, when I went up there to try and get an appointment, the waiting room doors were sealed closed, when I eventually got through they referred me to a private dermatology clinic that works weekends because its totally staffed by moonlighting NHS staff.

Many practices ar encouraging telephone or video consults

This is what mine say

These are the ways you can book a routine appointment:

• Telephone the surgery - option 2

GP appointments are for 10 minutes and are for one person only. It is not possible to discuss more than one item per appointment.

Most appointments will be telephone or video consultations in the first instance. If you need to be seen you will be invited to attend the surgery.

 

[Ivory55]

Mines the same, don't even answer the phone, when I went up there to try and get an appointment, the waiting room doors were sealed closed, when I eventually got through they referred me to a private dermatology clinic that works weekends because its totally staffed by moonlighting NHS staff.

If they can earn a bit extra at the weekend who can blame them. No difference to a bricklayer or a mechanic doing work at the weekend really.

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[jongood]

Many practices ar encouraging telephone or video consults

This is what mine say

These are the ways you can book a routine appointment:

• Telephone the surgery - option 2

GP appointments are for 10 minutes and are for one person only. It is not possible to discuss more than one item per appointment.

Most appointments will be telephone or video consultations in the first instance. If you need to be seen you will be invited to attend the surgery.

I tend to prefer telephone consultations although they do have to actually answer it for that to be possible.

In this particular case I think 10 minutes with the doctor would have saved the rest of it but ho hum.

 

[busby]

If they can earn a bit extra at the weekend who can blame them. No difference to a bricklayer or a mechanic doing work at the weekend really.

And our taxes are paying them to do very little in the week,,,BUSBY.

 

[georgio]

One way to speed everything up and bring it into the 21st century is to lift the 3.5 tonne rules to 4 tonnes. These were set up 50 years ago when vans were far less safe than today. From an environment point of view white van man could carry more weight , bigger vans might downsize etc This can now be done now that we are out out the eu

 

[Nanniemate]

The amount of bottled water being shipped around the country is absolutely ridiculous, banning that is a substantial bit of our environmental target and lorry driver shortage solved in a stroke. And as for those who want Volvic or Evian................

Got to be careful there when working in London paid for Brecon bottled water whilst also paying water rates for the same stuff out of the tap in Wales could never drink tea there only coffee as the water is yukky

 

[Ivory55]

And our taxes are paying them to do very little in the week,,,BUSBY.

Everyone has got an angle, and everyone on fun is perfect. Funny old world.
Also if they are on zero hours or short term contract or agency, why would they care. It’s everyone for themselves in the real world today.

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[gus-lopez]

Only thing is that they have built a lot of houses near the old rail heads and yards etc,

Most of the old rail heads & yards in the south -west were all sold off.

Consider this with waves of infections would you want people with Covid visiting your office.

Longa as masked , gloved & sprayed with a disinfectant & anything touched cleaned ,shouldn't be a problem? Not alot different to going for a covid test, well here anyway as everyone has to be protected . If you were/are not wearing mask ,using sanitiser you won't be going anywhere or seen by anyone.

Plus no chance of referring as hospital specialists as they were re-assigned to treat those with Covid !

News to me ?When we asked the question of the wife's consultant in north Devon she said she had done nothing except her own cancer surgeries? She offered various appointments at any time the wife wished to turn up along with blood tests & scans. But it was far easier & quicker to get them done here & email results to her.

GP appointments are for 10 minutes and are for one person only. It is not possible to discuss more than one item per appointment.

Don't come here then.Couple went in in front of the wife last week & were 50 minutes. Then doc was called away to someone dying, - not normally like it but it happens occasionally.

Most appointments will be telephone or video consultations in the first instance.

we used to have that here BUT you made the appointment on line with day ,date & time & the doctor /nurse/whoever ,has to ring you.worked a treat.

I tend to prefer telephone consultations although they do have to actually answer it for that to be possible.

As above. If they wanted to see you they just say come down now & off you go.


We are fortunate here in that ANY licence renewal from any age requires a medical. For cars, 'B' it is 10 years & `'C1' is 5 years along with hgv the same. You go to a standalone medical office that caters for all types of medical renewals from cars, bikes, vans.lorries to shotgun & crossbow,etc;etc, & you pay For me with B & C1 it is 70€ every 5 years due to the C but the B gets extended at the same time.
the medical is meant to be blood pressure ,eye test , any meds you take/problems you suffer,mental diagnosis of whether you are mad, A hand/eye coordination test .there is no input from your own doctor whatsoever.

 

[busby]

Everyone has got an angle, and everyone on fun is perfect. Funny old world.
Also if they are on zero hours or short term contract or agency, why would they care. It’s everyone for themselves in the real world today.

Don't think any GPs are on zero hour contracts,,BUSBY.

 

[bobandjanie]

HGV crisis: Spain nightmare as driver row ripples through Europe Intro: | World | News | Express.co.uk

HGV drivers are in shortage across Europe, which, according to one Spanish driver, comes with good reason.

www.express.co.uk

Spanish drivers plan 3-day-long strike before Christmas

Spanish drivers plan 3-day-long strike before Christmas

trans.info

They have plenty of lorry drivers in Spain, they are after better working conditions, they know how to get about, but seem to bend the rules a bit.

This made me smile, surely blaming all the storage containers on driver shortage it's more likely shipping problems. Bob

Why are shipping containers stacked at sites around Suffolk?

Huge piles of shipping containers have appeared at sites across Suffolk.

www.bbc.com

 

[Ivory55]

Don't think any GPs are on zero hour contracts,,BUSBY.

Most of our ones are temporary

 

[jongood]

Spanish drivers plan 3-day-long strike before Christmas

Spanish drivers plan 3-day-long strike before Christmas

trans.info

They have plenty of lorry drivers in Spain, they are after better working conditions, they know how to get about, but seem to bend the rules a bit.

This made me smile, surely blaming all the storage containers on driver shortage it's more likely shipping problems. Bob

Why are shipping containers stacked at sites around Suffolk?

Huge piles of shipping containers have appeared at sites across Suffolk.

www.bbc.com

I've heard that the container issue is a hangover from the lockdowns, the routes from China were disrupted so that it all got out of synch, boats and boxes in the wrong places apparently. The good news is that less sh*te from China is going to be on our shelves this xmas, happy days!

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