Screening

Fitness to Fly Assessment 

What is a Fitness to Fly assessment? 

You may be asked by your doctor to be assessed for a ‘fitness to fly’ before traveling abroad. A fitness to fly assessment provides a comprehensive evaluation of your lungs to help determine whether it is safe for you to travel abroad by plane. This is because some people might need additional measures, such as in-flight supplementary oxygen, to help them breathe. 

What happens during a Fitness to Fly assessment?

You will be seen by an expert doctor within the team. They will perform an assessment which includes your medical history, whether you have recently experienced any symptoms, and whether you have previously ever felt ill during a flight. During the consultation, your doctor will also perform a comprehensive physical examination and may subsequently recommend further investigations based on their evaluation. You will receive a full detailed medical report.  

Cardiac Screening  

What is heart disease?

Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. These can include problems such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorders (also known as arrhythmias), and congenital heart defects (problems of the heart that you are born with). According to the British Heart Foundation, in the UK 7.6 million people are living with heart and circulatory diseases. Every 3 minutes, someone dies from heart disease. 

What is cardiac screening?

Cardiac screening involves checking the overall health of the heart to help identify any early warning signs of heart disease. At our clinic, our expert cardiologists will conduct a detailed consultation that is tailored toward your specific needs. They will listen to your concerns and will ask questions about your current and past medical history, in addition to family history. Your cardiologist will also provide recommendations on what investigations you might need to further explore a particular problem and will discuss your results and provide treatment if required. 

What cardiac screening packages are offered?

We provide several cardiac screening packages. These include a general heart health package, a family history package, and a sports and fitness package. 

Please list packages from London Heart Clinic website – prices to be confirmed 

Occupational Health Assessment 

Why might you need an occupational health assessment?

Certain professions require their employees to undergo an assessment of medical fitness. These include train drivers and taxi drivers, amongst others. These assessments are often required before a license to operate is granted. They are also done to ensure that you are in good enough health to safely perform your job.  

What happens during an occupational health assessment?

During your assessment, you will be asked several questions about your current and past health status. This may include questions on whether you have any cardiovascular problems, any bone or muscle problems, any neurological problems, any vision problems, or any conditions such as diabetes. Your doctor will then perform a comprehensive medical examination and will order several tests such as an ECG to evaluate your health further. 

TFL Fitness to Drive 

If your professional driver’s application has identified a need for further heart tests to determine your medical fitness. 

Our cardiac and general assessments are suitable for: 

• Private Hire Drivers (TFL) 
• Licenced London Taxi Drivers (TFL) 
• HGV & PHV Drivers (DVLA) 
• Train Drivers (ORR) 
• Pilots (CAA) 
• Other professionals who are required medical assessment for work purposes. 

Authorities that issue licences have a duty to protect drivers and the public by ensuring that anyone applying for a vocational licence are medically fit. Following an initial assessment from your GP they may ask for further information and tests. People with known heart conditions will often have to repeat these tests at least every 3 years to meet the DVLA Group 2 criteria for licencing. 

Conditions that require further tests are 

• Angina 
• Arrythmia 
• Chest pain of uncertain origin 
• Heart valve disease 
• Previous heart attack 
• Coronary stent implantation or Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) 
• Heart failure 

The exact requirements for tests can vary and you will be informed by TFL, DVLA, ORR, CAA and/or the Local Authority after your initial medical declaration and assessment (usually performed by a GP) what you need. The most common tests required are: 

Exercise Tolerance Test 

Stress Echocardiography 

Echocardiography 

Prices: to be confirmed