STANDARD MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 5, 1 October 1943, Page 6

STANDARD MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Use For Manpower Purposes The statement that his department had adopted a standard form of medical certificate for manpower purposes was made yesterday by the Controller of Manpower, Mr H. L. Bockett. This form which has the approval of the British Medical Association, has been printed and supplies are available at all manpower offices. Henceforth no medical certificates will be accepted by the department’s officers unless presented on this form. „ “We have had many representations, said Mr. Bockett, "to the effect that such a standard certificate is desirable. Doctors have pointed out to me that they are frequently required to issue certificates to people they have never seen before and concerning whose industrial and medical history they know nothing in some cases they have been misled oj the incorrect information given them bj applicants. They have been subject to much criticism for certificates issued under such circumstances and a considciable amount of medical re-examination has been necessary in these cases, lhe new form of certificate requires the applicant to set out the main his industrial and medical history and the actual grounds for seeking ““Imai examination. This information, which is subject to check by the manpower officer, will greatly assist the examining doctoi in arriving at a conclusive opinwu. - “The certificate provides tor comment bv the doctor on such matters as excessive overtime as well as f ?. l ' coini ‘ l ®," l ' on the actual industrial conaitions deleterious to the health of the applicant. It is anticipated that the use of these certificates should reduce the need tor reexamination as well as ebininat>n„ cii tieism on deficiencies which have ptevi ously been largely unavoidable. Any pe - son requiring a medical certificate loi m dustrial manpower purposes should secure a form from the nearest district manpower office. This may be taken to any ‘loctoi. Tim doctor's certificate will become the propertv of the applicant who is tree to use’ it as he thinks fit. lhe National .Service Department does not bear the expense of any such medical examination.