Craniotomy
Wed, 2010-02-10 12:02
Hi,
7 years ago I was hit by a bus and required two craniotomies. This put me at risk of developing epilepsy, but I have never had a fit and am not on medication. I have no driving restrictions.
I recently failed my dive medical because of the risk of epilepsy from the operations. I received some advice that perhaps a letter from my neurosurgeon may help my case to appeal the failed medical. Unfortunately though I had the operations in Scotland, so getting an all-clear from my neurosurgeon may prove near-impossible.
Would there be any other avenues to appeal the failed medical within Australia?
Thanks,
Anna
Hello Anna,
Interesting question.
As you may well know there is often no clear answers with respect to some of these cases. There is no formal appeal process per se but you are fully entitled to a second opinion.
I would be looking at a specialist centre for the second opinion based on the capability of getting access to neurosurgeons/neurologists that are familiar with diving and hyperbaric medicine.
Also you may need to have further testing that could include expensive MRI scans or EEGs which would not be available under Medicare so the cost would have to be accepted by yourself.
If you want to talk to someone regarding this further you can reing your local Hyperbaric Unit and they should be able to help you.
Regards Glen