medical board attendance

[cattyfatfish]

I understand that one has to be down in person to do a medical review before case notes are sent for a medical board.

however, I have had conflicting reports of people having to be present in person for a medical board following the review. some say that you have to be present and others say that medical board doctors meet in private to discuss the case and you do not need to be there. could anyone confirm if one has to be present for a medical board? usually how soon after the medical review is a medical board arranged? I live overseas and that would mean having to make multiple flights back just to attend.

 

[THFC78]

When the MO put you up for medical board, they usually will ask you if you want to be present in person for the medical board.

If you don't feel the need to be present, you can tell him no and he will state accordingly.

That base on my own experience

 

[reddevil0728]

I understand that one has to be down in person to do a medical review before case notes are sent for a medical board.

however, I have had conflicting reports of people having to be present in person for a medical board following the review. some say that you have to be present and others say that medical board doctors meet in private to discuss the case and you do not need to be there. could anyone confirm if one has to be present for a medical board? usually how soon after the medical review is a medical board arranged? I live overseas and that would mean having to make multiple flights back just to attend.

do you want to be present?

 

[cattyfatfish]

do you want to be present?

Honestly if it does not affect the outcome of the decision I would rather not as I would then need to fly to and fro and spend alot on air tickets again.

 

[reddevil0728]

Honestly if it does not affect the outcome of the decision I would rather not as I would then need to fly to and fro and spend alot on air tickets again.

then why don't you make it known?

 

[cattyfatfish]

then why don't you make it known?

I will when I go for the medical review

 

[codexboy]

the medical board form will let you indicate if you want to attend or not. its optional, just went for my review last month

 

[Lurkerdoc]

Depends on what type of medical board.

Routine medical board - vast majority done in absence unless contentious issues.

Specialist/disability/PES F medical board - serviceman must be present or the board will not be able to proceed. The only exception is if the serviceman is incapacitated or severely ill.

 

[No use for a Name]

The last time I was put up for medical board, the MO didn’t even asked me whether I want to be present.

 

[cattyfatfish]

Depends on what type of medical board.

Routine medical board - vast majority done in absence unless contentious issues.

Specialist/disability/PES F medical board - serviceman must be present or the board will not be able to proceed. The only exception is if the serviceman is incapacitated or severely ill.

Even if there is substantial paperwork from multiple doctors which would indicate that I am almost guaranteed a pes F, I have to attend?

 

[Lurkerdoc]

Even if there is substantial paperwork from multiple doctors which would indicate that I am almost guaranteed a pes F, I have to attend?

Yes.

No harm writing in to request if the board can proceed in absence due to whatever extenuating circumstances you might have. But bear in mind that SAF is a military organisation so even if the board is sympathetic they will probably still have to follow protocol.

 

[reddevil0728]

Even if there is substantial paperwork from multiple doctors which would indicate that I am almost guaranteed a pes F, I have to attend?

Random stranger on the forum: you don’t gave to attend

 

[cattyfatfish]

Yes.

No harm writing in to request if the board can proceed in absence due to whatever extenuating circumstances you might have. But bear in mind that SAF is a military organisation so even if the board is sympathetic they will probably still have to follow protocol.

I guess I have to hope that they hold the medical board very shortly after the medical review then

 

[reddevil0728]

I guess I have to hope that they hold the medical board very shortly after the medical review then

Doubtful..

 

[cattyfatfish]

Doubtful..

any idea on average waiting times?

 

[reddevil0728]

any idea on average waiting times?

I guess is what’s more important for u.

Getting PES F or not travelling back a 2nd time

 

[cattyfatfish]

I guess is what’s more important for u.

Getting PES F or not travelling back a 2nd time

If I have no choice obviously I would need to attend the board. We will see how it goes

 

[reddevil0728]

If I have no choice obviously I would need to attend the board. We will see how it goes

Ya lor. Assurance here doesn’t mean anything.

 

[kalasala]

I would choose to attend in person to better present my own case.

 

[pikafunk3]

I understand that one has to be down in person to do a medical review before case notes are sent for a medical board.

however, I have had conflicting reports of people having to be present in person for a medical board following the review. some say that you have to be present and others say that medical board doctors meet in private to discuss the case and you do not need to be there. could anyone confirm if one has to be present for a medical board? usually how soon after the medical review is a medical board arranged? I live overseas and that would mean having to make multiple flights back just to attend.

the real answer is this:

it depends on your condition.

regularly, the MOs will meet and discuss each case pending status review.

if they have sufficient information, then they can decide on your PES without you being present.

sometimes they need to clarify some things, or maybe they feel it is better if the person is present to assess the situation; sometimes certain medical conditions are better assessed this way. in which case your presence is required.

the meeting (which your presence may or may not be required) is known as the 'medical board' and is conducted regularly. so how long you will have to wait depends on availability of your medical information and documents, and subject to the queue of course. that can range from 1 month to half a year.

if you are overseas, and your presence is required, then actually the problem is on your side.

either you fly back to attend, or if you really cannot attend, then you need to inform SAF who will probably advise you further. hopefully you will not put SAF in a position where they are forced to decide in your absence. that is less advantageous for you in terms of safety.