Private machines NHS and DVLA

[chelseauk]

Hi,

A friend of mine has just been told they will need CPAP - but will have to wait (I was lucky and didn't).

So i was wondering about them going down the private route - but have a few questions.

1) What do you tell the DVLA to convince them you are compliant ?
2) Will the NHS Support the machine if you buy the same one they use ?

[buildone]

Dvla

Hi Chelseauk, I brought my machine via the private route (remstar auto c/w A flex) from Usa so no presciption required. Used it for 6 weeks then sent data card to James who printed a read out for me. Filled in Dvla form I printed off online and sent it off. Give Gp report which showed sleep was greater than 4> hours and Aph under 5. She said to carry on driving and when Dvla sent her a letter all was fine. Letter from Dvla recieved within 2 weeks saying ok to continue driving. So never stopped and everything fine and no further check ups required.
Hope that helps Andy

[buildone]

Machine Support

Sorry forgot to say, Tiger Fans said this machine is supported by manufacture in Uk, It has a two year warrenty and loan machine policy. Only trouble is the masks which is trial and error so can be expensive!!!!. Also auto machines require very little setting up except max pressure which we all play around with anyway to get best results. But would ask clinic what they recommend, My max was set at 15.

[Tigers Fan]

Recently got very expensive!!!!

Hey chelseauk!

Soon as I heard I suffer OSA I bought a complete rig and spares in the US - but the exchange rate was two for a Pound. At today's USD 1.40 to the Pound, buying in the States is probably not an option, especially if they will only deliver by next day courier - add USD 170 to your purchase price.

Having said that, Respironics UK accepted warranty liability (fixed mine, gave me a loaner, arranged pick up and deliver all free of charge) and the NHS staff were only upset because I had done it my way, not theirs', and had no experience of my 'M' Series with A-Flex and were at a loss about setting it. They had no problem with giving me masks and general support (Southampton General). So - buying you own and buying abroad don't seem to affect adversely the service you get in UK.

The UK import customs code is in the thread about buying in US, under machines.

All I did for DVLA was to write them saying I had OSA but I wasn't sleepy in the day time and I was using a CPAP. If you write them, they respond in due course with the requisite form, by which time you have your private machine and can tell them you are compliant.

I've just received an Apex XT III and humidifier from James - nice bit of kit for not a huge amount of money (and the XT I is less expensive still) - in quick time. Much, much quicker than DVLA move!

Tigers Fan

[James @ Intus]

The ability to demonstrate via a data card read-out that you are compliant will seal the deal for sure, whether it's privately or NHS, but even without, you will probably find that they give the nod easily when you just put into writing you have no more excessive daytime sleepiness. A thumbs up from the GP/Consultant will do too. So readout data is nice but not a requirement.

[leswaller]

James
Can you do readouts for ResMed S8 escape machines? My machine came with a data card but the local NHS hospital doesnt use them. I would be interested to see what is happening

[James @ Intus]

We don't yet, have all of them but ResMed's kit. I'm sure they can do it for you. Would be nice if we had it too though.