[my dad's GP] advised that someone call DVLA anonymously to say that there are concerns about dad's driving.that then they may write to the GP asking his views and then he can reply without affecting the issues above [patient confidentiality etc]
The GMC has advice for doctors on how to deal with precisely this situtation:
Mr Jessop shares concerns about his wife's fitness to drive with their GP, Dr Williams. Should Dr Williams inform the DVLA? And should she tell Mrs Jessop the source of her concerns? Decide what Dr Williams should do
http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/confidentiality.asp#t2
Confidentiality: reporting concerns about patients to the DVLA or the DVA
http://www.gmc-uk.org/Confidentiality_reporting_concerns_DVLA_2009.pdf_27494214.pdf
- If a patient refuses to accept the diagnosis, or the effect of the condition on their ability to drive, you can suggest that they seek a second opinion, and help arrange for them to do so. You should advise the patient not to drive in the meantime.
- If a patient continues to drive when they may not be fit to do so, you should make every reasonable effort to persuade them to stop. As long as the patient agrees, you may discuss your concerns with their relatives, friends or carers.
- If you do not manage to persuade the patient to stop driving, or you discover that they are continuing to drive against your advice, you should contact the DVLA or DVA immediately and disclose any relevant medical information, in confidence, to the medical adviser.
- Before contacting the DVLA or DVA you should try to inform the patient of your decision to disclose personal information. You should then also inform the patient in writing once you have done so.
Your GP is right that there are patient confidentiality issues. His suggested solution is, um, interesting; gets him off the hook, anyway.
As you said in the first place, you have a diagnosis and the law requires notifying the DVLA. If your dad doesn't accept the diagnosis, that doesn't exempt his doctor from responsibility.
You say your dad is in denial about the diagnosis and wants to see another doctor for a second opinion. Do that. Following GMC advice, the GP should help arrange that for you. That way, you do what your dad wants and his GP takes the step he should.
If your dad changes his mind and refuses to go for a second opinion, and if your GP still won't act, contact DVLA yourself. I wouldn't recommend that you report anonymously; that way, there is no record that
you acted correctly.
Download the form for the DVLA and fill it in. If your dad won't sign it, send it to the DVLA yourself (explaining who you are and why you're sending it), and CC it to the GP.
The Alzheimer's Society factsheet on
Driving and dementia says this:
A person with a diagnosis of dementia would be breaking the law if they did not tell the DVLA about their diagnosis, and could be fined up to £1,000. If a person with dementia does not inform the DVLA about their diagnosis and continues to drive against advice from their doctor, the doctor may inform the DVLA if he or she feels that public safety or road safety would be at risk. Other people, such as family members, neighbours or police officers, may also contact the DVLA in writing and ask it to carry out a medical investigation if they are concerned about a person's fitness to drive.
Driving and dementia
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=144
Alzheimer's disease and driving
You must tell DVLA if you have Alzheimer’s disease.
https://www.gov.uk/alzheimers-disease-and-driving
The DVLA have said that the only person that can inform them is my dad - which seems like a mad system
Yes, that would be mad. It's also
not true, as you can see from the factsheet and the GMC's advice above.
Butter called the DVLA and they dealt with it like this:
I called DVLA and they have given me the address to write to. DVLA tell me they will write to my husband telling him they have heard from a 3rd Party.
Experience with doctors varies:
I can't believe the GP has not informed the DVLA. My husband's did and he was still scoring at normal levels. They wrote straight away and asked him to return his licence.
It took me nearly a year to get anywhere with consultants and doctors about DVLA.
They all said my husband shouldn't drive, but wouldn't write.
In the end I wrote and his licence was returned to DVLA as soon as they requested it.
The Consulant has reported my friend to the DVLA, she now has to go for a driving assessment.
Previous thread:
Dad won't give up driving
http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/showthread.php?19139
See also:
Clinical pathway for advice on driving after a diagnosis of dementia
from
Clinical Review: Driving and dementia
BMJ 2007;334:1365
http://www.bmj.com/content/334/7608/1365
It's pretty close to the GMC statement; the pertinent point here is that there is no pathway from 'Diagnosis of dementia' to 'dump DVLA notification responsibility on the family'.