Healthcare professionals’ notification duty

NOTIFICATION DUTY OF AUTHORIZED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS OF SEAFARERS

The Act on Transport Services (section 208, subsection 2) contains provisions on the notification duty of a medical examiner of seafarers. Notwithstanding the obligation of secrecy, a medical examiner must inform Traficom if he or she suspects that a personal licence holder or applicant does not satisfy the medical requirements for obtaining a licence. In addition to deck and engine officers, the duty of notification concerns the catering department.

The authorized medical practitioner has the notification duty not only in connection with the medical examinations of the crew but in connection with other meetings and examinations as well. The authorized medical practitioner must attach to the notification the information about the state of health, including their written statement about the fitness examination of the seafarers, if the authorized medical practitioner, in connection with the crew's medical examination, considers that the applicant for a medical certificate for service at sea does not meet the health requirements for obtaining a permit. 

The authorized medical practitioner must also make a notification of the health requirements not being met to Traficom if the authorized medical practitioner considers that the assessment of suitability requires an exemption procedure based on a new illness or if the illness that was the reason for applying for the previous exemption has substantially worsened. In this case, the statement and its attachments made during the examination must also be attached to the notification. However, no notification is required if the person has previously been granted a dispensation for the same illness or injury, and the illness or injury in question has not got essentially worse since the dispensation was granted. 

NOTIFICATION DUTY OF RAILWAY DOCTORS

The Act on Transport Services (section 208, subsection 2) contains provisions on a railway doctor’s notification duty. Notwithstanding the obligation to secrecy, a railway doctors must inform Traficom if a holder of a rolling stock driving licence or an applicant for a suitability statement does not satisfy the medical fitness requirements for obtaining a licence. 

The railway doctor has the notification duty not only in connection with the medical examinations of the train operator done in accordance with the Act on Transport Services, but in connection with other meetings and examinations as well. The railway doctor must attach to the notification the information about the state of health, including their written statement about the health suitability of the rolling stock operator, if the railway doctor, in connection with the medical examination in accordance with the Act on Transport Services, considers that the applicant does not meet the health requirements for obtaining a permit.

NOTIFICATION DUTY OF RAILWAY PSYCHOLOGISTS

The Act on Transport Services (section 208, subsection 2) contains provisions on a railway psychologist’s notification duty. The railway psychologist who has performed the personal assessment must, notwithstanding the obligation of secrecy, inform Traficom if they assess that the holder or applicant for a rolling stock driving license does not meet the requirements for psychological suitability. 

The railway psychologist has the notification duty not only in connection with the psychologist examinations of the rolling stock train operator done in accordance with the Act on Transport Services, but in connection with other meetings and examinations as well. If the notification is made on the basis of a personal evaluation according to the Act on Transport Services, the statement of the personal evaluation with attachments must be attached to the notification. 

NOTIFICATION RIGHT AND DUTY OF OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Every health care professional has the right to inform Traficom if they suspect that the holder of a personal permit does not meet the health requirements, regardless of the obligation of secrecy. The notification must be made without undue delay if the health condition of the personal license holder poses an immediate threat to traffic safety. 

In the case of aviation, the notification right applies to professional pilots (flight and cabin crew and air traffic controllers) and recreational pilots, in the case of maritime transport, persons working in the deck, engine and catering departments, and in the case of railway transport, operators of rolling stock who work in train traffic or shunting. The notification right does not apply to urban rail transport drivers.

A healthcare professional other than one approved by Traficom can only provide information in their notification that the person subject to the notification does not necessarily meet the health requirements set for the permit and what additional measures are proposed to more precisely clarify the health status or the resulting effects on the ability to function. Information about the actual state of health should not be attached to the notification.

Make a notification to Traficom

Carefully fill in the Healthcare professional’s notification of non-fulfilment of medical fitness requirements form (Y401) and send it to Traficom using the secure e-mail service (External link) to the e-mail address kirjaamo@traficom.fi or by post to the address Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, PO Box 320, FI-00059 TRAFICOM If the person’s state of health poses an immediate threat to traffic safety, the notification should be made by telephone (switchboard +358 29 534 5000). Before submitting the notification, the person in question should be informed of the doctor’s right to submit a notification and of the influence of their state of health on their ability to function. The notification can be submitted without the person’s consent.

If necessary, remember to also make a separate notification with the police (Traficom form F203) about the change in state of health, if a physician finds that the applicant for a driving licence permit or a holder of a right to drive fails to meet medical standards of fitness to drive. Nurses and health workers also have the right to notify the police if they suspect that a driving license applicant or a driving license holder does not meet the fitness to drive requirements due to continuous use of intoxicants.