View the feedback we have received on the Improving health screening for heavy vehicle drivers paper.

• q1

  Yes, 25 years of transport industry experience. 17 continuous years of long distance driver roles.

• q12

  Discounted health insurance. Better access to fitness equipment. After hours clinical services. Portable long service leave. 'without question' personal leave to attend health care appointments. Better access to osteopathy, which can nip many of the health issues in the bud before they become an issue.

• q2

  As above. Driver health is something that I have been taking a keen interest in.

• q4

  As everyone is well aware, our hours tend to prohibit us from being able to make healthcare appointments. Mobile screening centres would be most helpful. I took the advantage of using one once when I had shortness of breath and it was uncovered that I had pneumonia. The ability to use sick leave to attend appointments when they are available. Portable long service leave such as is available in the construction industry to help us manage our bodies and promote more time away from the truck to do so.

• q5

  Driver monitoring is a contentious issue in the industry. What makes the rigours of the job worthwhile is the freedom and the autonomy that is provided to us. Most drivers feel that any monitoring is taking that away, hence the exodus from the industry. The rigours have no longer become worth it. Some common sense could be applied here however. In an instance where a driver is looking at having their licence taken away, I'm sure that monitoring to ensure safety would be welcomed.

• q6

  Healthy Heads is the only initiative that I'm aware of.

• q7

  The above initiative has been something where the take up has been lacklustre at best. Unfortunately driver health is something that is a low priority for most companies at best, to absolutely not even thought of for a significant number of those. Any incentive for companies to take it up would be more than welcome, however someone has to pay for it... that's where the issue really lies.

• q8

  More funding to allow said screening. While the initiative hasn't had the biggest take up rate, I believe that it's the best one that we currently have.