16 October 2014
The provision of medical services to the aviation industry will be the subject of a wide-ranging consultation, the CAA has announced. The consultation, which can be found <a href=’http://www.caa.co.uk/cap1214′ target=’_blank’>here</a>, will focus on several proposed options of how services, such as the medical assessment of pilots, and airline personnel, currently provided by the CAA, should be delivered in future and whether there should be a separation between service provider and regulator.
The CAA’s Medical Department currently oversees the medical certification process for 16,000 commercial and 30,000 private pilots holding various private and commercial licences, as well as the medical certificates for air traffic controllers. The Department offers advice on all medical matters relating to civil aviation, engages with other national regulators on aero medical policy and legislation, and evaluates the latest relevant medical research.
Key stakeholders in the aviation industry are being encouraged to respond to the consultation. The CAA is particularly keen to hear views on alternative options to deliver some of the aero medical services.
The CAA said it had an obligation to ensure the aviation industry had access to the most cost effective and efficient medical services possible that are fit for the future.
The consultation will run for eight weeks until 11 December and the CAA is expected to announce a decision on the future of aero medical services in the New Year.
Full details of the consultation, including how to respond, can be found at <a href=’http://www.caa.co.uk/consultations’ target=’_blank’>www.caa.co.uk/consultations</a>.
