DVLA seeks two vision expert members for medical advisory panel

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is seeking two optometrists or ophthalmologists with a senior level of experience to join the Secretary of State for Transport’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panels as expert members.

The panels of voluntary expert members seek to maintain and improve road safety by providing advice on medical standards for fitness to drive, reflecting current understanding of medical conditions and the potential effect on ability to drive.

There are six panels covering: vision, cardiology, neurology, diabetes, psychiatry, and alcohol or substance misuse and dependence.

The DVLA has vacancies for two vision expert members. For these roles, the DVLA specified that it is seeking a general ophthalmologist or optometrist with expertise in medical retina and macular degeneration, as well as a general ophthalmologist or optometrist with expertise in vision-related neurology and paediatrics.

The DVLA said it is seeking practitioners “who have an outstanding record of achievement, personal credibility, and senior level experience.”

Candidates should be able to demonstrate that they are registered with the General Optical Council, a member or fellow of a relevant Royal College, academic institution or equivalent body, and are currently active in clinical practice or research in their professional field.

The DVLA is also seeking expert members in psychiatry, with specialist knowledge of ADHD, and a cardiovascular expert member with expertise in cardiac imaging.

The medical advisory panels meet twice a year and may also provide additional advice to the DVLA outside of these meetings.

Expert members are expected to provide advice that accurately reflects current understanding of a medical condition and its effect on an individual’s ability to drive, and to notify the panel of developments in their specialism areas which could impact the standards, guidance, or DVLA processes.

Expert members are also expected to make the panel aware of the full range of opinion within their area of specialism, challenge assumptions on which advice is based, and comment on information provided.

Further aspects of the role include identifying new areas of research that will affect drivers and DVLA policy in the future, acting as expert witness on a licensing standard in cases where licensing decisions are challenged, and making proposals for addressing gaps in evidence bases.

The full list of expectations, including a link to the Seven Principles of Public Life that panel members must abide by, are available on the DVLA website, along with further details on how to apply.

Applications for the positions are open until midnight on Sunday 29 September.