CONNECTING FISHERMEN TO ML5 MEDICALS

Connecting Fishermen to ML5 Medicals

By 30 November 2023, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requires that anyone working onboard a UK fishing vessel have a certificate of medical fitness.

SeaFit is liaising with local General Practitioners and the fishing community to make the appointment process easier.  

Given that many fishermen are concerned about the MCA’s new medical certification requirement possibly restricting their ability to work, SeaFit is liaising with local General Practitioners (GPs) to try to make the appointment process easier. Fishermen often face unique pressures in pre-booking health appointments, while unable to forecast when they will have time off. As a result, many may struggle to make appointments.

SeaFit Manager Carol Elliott said, “Many fishermen are extremely worried about having restrictions placed upon their work if they do not meet the medical requirements, and we are receiving many questions about the regulations. Given the growing concern within the fishing community, it is imperative that we establish easier access to certified GPs as early as possible.”

SeaFit has already received confirmation from the Newlyn GP service at the Atlantic Medical Group (AMG) that they will allow any fisherman, whether registered with them or not, to book a medical appointment to be assessed for an ML5 medical certificate. Fishermen can call to arrange an appointment at Alverton, Cape Cornwall or Newlyn Surgeries by calling 01736 363741 or 01736 788306, afternoons being the best times to call.

Dr Cheyne from the Atlantic Medical Group said, “We are aware there maybe a lot of demand for ML5 medical examinations in the coming months and we have therefore made provision for extra clinics and appointments to accommodate this. Fisherman whether registered or not can ring AMG and make an appointment for ML5. If it becomes clear that demand is high, we will set up extra clinics at Newlyn surgery to ensure all fisherman get their medical in time.”

Fishermen can also look into utilising Grandfather Rights, but must do so before 30th November. The ILO medical certification guidance on Grandfather Rights states that “the purpose of applying grandfather rights for existing fishermen is to try to ensure that, where they can do so without significant risk to their own or others’ health and safety, fishermen are able to continue to carry out an occupation they have been engaged in safely prior to the introduction of the requirement for a medical fitness certificate. This recognizes that there would have to be a very good reason for someone who had been working over a long period to become disqualified from doing so due to a change in legislation when there has been no other change in circumstances.”

Through existing local health networks and the Fishermen’s Mission Port Staff, SeaFit — as a joint initiative between Seafarers Hospital Society and the Fishermen’s Mission — will continue to develop collaborative methods and alternative models of healthcare delivery to provide much-needed flexible access. SeaFit is also hosting a series of quayside health events planned for the coming year. Interested parties can find this information at https://seahospital.org.uk/help-for-you/the-seafit-programme