BMJ 1995;311:1163 (28 October)

Letters

Rigid rules for hypomanic patients are unfair

EDITOR,--Jo Alexander is concerned about elderly people who continue to drive.1 I wish to highlight the stigmatisation and unnecessary hardship suffered by some hypomanic patients because of the inflexible application of the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency's regulations, with limited rights of appeal. Current regulations require a person admitted to hospital with hypomania to inform the agency.2 After a time, while medical reports are sought, the person loses his or her licence for six to 12 months. Appeal (within 21 days) is through the courts (and hence is public). Most appeals are lost, with the applicants having to bear their own costs and those of the agency. The case may be reconsidered after six months, and if the medical reports are supportive the licence may be restored.

Admission to hospital is a poor indicator of the severity of illness, depending more on social factors and perceived level of support.3 Apart . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

Drive on
Jo Alexander
BMJ 1995 311: 269. [Full Text]

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