PTS Rail Medical

This medical assessment is carried out to check that rail staff meet the necessary duty of care so individuals can avoid hazardous situations or subject themselves to increased risk of harm to their colleagues, public or to themselves, due to any underlying medical condition. The main hazards of rail working include electrocution from traction power sources and collisions between a train/tube and a track worker.
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During the medical, Rail workers will need to demonstrate that they are aware of their surroundings so that they can move around the track area safely and can respond appropriately to circumstances such as an approaching train.

A PTS Certificate is required before rail workers are allowed to work on or around Network Rail tracks in the UK. In addition to this, employees need to take a medical, drug and alcohol test before attending a ‘Personal Track Safety’ course.

  Photo identification such as a Passport or Photocard Driving Licence.
(If the candidate doesn’t bring along the correct photographic identification, then their appointment is at risk of being cancelled.)

  Proof of National Insurance number
which can be found on your NI Card, Employee Payslip or P60.
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  Provide a valid Sentinel card (if applicable for PTS assessments)
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  The candidate needs to bring in a list of any current prescribed medication even if brought over the counter.

  If glasses or contact lenses are worn, then these will need to be brought in with them. For contact lenses, these will need to be kept in their container during the vision test.‍

• The candidates are advised to wear loose clothing to their appointment. To speed up the process whilst taking blood pressure readings and for the mobility test.
• The medical involves an audiometry test. Candidates should avoid being exposed to loud noises before their appointment.

Should the employee not be able to provide any of the above items on the day of the appointment, then the medical will not be allowed to take place. Another appointment will be required but you will still be charged for this appointment.

Firstly, the candidate will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. Once we have the results from the questionnaire, the following will be carried out on the candidate:
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• A Protein and Glucose Dipstick test using a urine sample. This test is designed to check for conditions such as Diabetes and Kidney Infections.
• A peak flow test will be carried out to assess lung capacity.
• We will record your blood pressure and pulse.
• We will record your weight, height and BMI.
• A visual acuity test will then take place which includes a colour vision test. We use the Ishihara Plates test for normal colour vision and this will be reported as normalor abnormal. Normal colour vision is an essential requirement for Signalling, Electrification & Plant and Telecoms Apprenticeships.
• We will carry out an audiometry test. This is important to check for any unpredictable fluctuation in hearing levels.
• Assessment of the mobility of the candidate so that we know they will be able to move outof the way of a moving vehicle safely.
• Assessment of the candidate’s alertness and Psychological Wellbeing.
• Finally, we will get the candidate to complete an Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire.
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Once all these areas have been assessed, then the candidate will be given some general health advice such as smoking, alcohol usage and how to maintain high or low blood pressure. Should the employee fail to meet the specific medical standards on the day of their appointment, then we may require further information from their GP or Optician for a report such as high blood pressure. This is in order for us to be able to issue a PTS Medical Certificate. Candidates with minor medical conditions such as wearing glasses or colour blindness may still be issued a PTS – however the Sentinel Card will have an indicator to inform the Controller of Site Safety (COSS) about that
worker’s condition. If specified, then we may also need to carry out The Network Rail drug and alcohol test during your
medical. This will consist of a urine laboratory drug test and a breath alcohol screen.

We will firstly review the findings of your medical using another Occupational Health Technician. Once the review is complete, normally within one or two working days after your appointment, either the results will be uploaded to Sentinel, or further information will be requested. Any notifications will be received by email and or telephone.

NOWMED must adhere to Network Rail standards when performing and reviewing medical assessments. Any non-compliance with the standards could endanger lives on the rail network. Should we have to refer your medical results to our Occupational Physician, you will be kept fully informed throughout the process.

Single person booking £90
Group bookings of 6 or more candidates is £75.00 per person.
Please call us for even further discounts on larger groups or regular tests.
The price of a PTS Rail Medical depends on the following factors:
 The number of candidates booked for one appointment.
 Whether the medical needs to be done on-site or off-site.
 Whether drug and alcohol testing is to be performed with the medical.

The easiest way to do this is by calling our NOWMED clinic in Ilford, London on 0203 621 0452. You
will be put through to one of our Senior Clinical Advisors who will discuss your needs with you over
the phone and will provide you with the information needed to confirm your appointment. They will
also discuss the items and information you will need to bring along to your PTS medical. This is listed
in the section ‘What do candidates need to bring with them to the appointment’ – see above.
Alternatively, you can complete an online appointment request. We will contact you within one
working day to discuss your PTS Rail Medical needs.