Andy
07-03-09, 08:00 AM
Diabetic taxi drivers will have to wait to see whether they will be barred from working in part of Nottinghamshire.
Newark and Sherwood District Council discussed whether to withdraw licences from type one diabetics, dependent on insulin to control the condition.
Councillors meeting on Thursday said there was not enough information to make a decision, the council said.
Some councils ban taxi drivers who have the condition in case they get a hypoglycaemic attack at the wheel.
Currently Newark and Sherwood District Council assesses the health of drivers who have diabetes on an individual basis.
The council spokeswoman said members had deferred their decision until July, but more information would be gathered in the meantime.
Saranjit Sihota, head of public policy at Diabetes UK, said: "Many people with diabetes are perfectly fit to drive taxis and should not be denied the chance to earn a living.
"As long as the diabetes is well-controlled and there are no complications that would impair someone's safety, there is no reason why people with diabetes should not be issued with a taxi licence."
People with type one diabetes have to inform the DVLA, but can drive cars. They are generally not allowed to drive larger vehicles.
www.bbc.co.uk/nottinghamshire (http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottinghamshire)
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Should there be a diffrence between taxi drivers and PCV drivers?
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif
Newark and Sherwood District Council discussed whether to withdraw licences from type one diabetics, dependent on insulin to control the condition.
Councillors meeting on Thursday said there was not enough information to make a decision, the council said.
Some councils ban taxi drivers who have the condition in case they get a hypoglycaemic attack at the wheel.
Currently Newark and Sherwood District Council assesses the health of drivers who have diabetes on an individual basis.
The council spokeswoman said members had deferred their decision until July, but more information would be gathered in the meantime.
Saranjit Sihota, head of public policy at Diabetes UK, said: "Many people with diabetes are perfectly fit to drive taxis and should not be denied the chance to earn a living.
"As long as the diabetes is well-controlled and there are no complications that would impair someone's safety, there is no reason why people with diabetes should not be issued with a taxi licence."
People with type one diabetes have to inform the DVLA, but can drive cars. They are generally not allowed to drive larger vehicles.
www.bbc.co.uk/nottinghamshire (http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottinghamshire)
-------------------------------------
Should there be a diffrence between taxi drivers and PCV drivers?
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif