News

UK pilots with HIV able to work unrestricted after ‘landmark changes’ in aviation guidance | UK News


British pilots with HIV will be able to work without restrictions following “landmark changes” to aviation guidelines.

New regulations, introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), set out how HIV-positive pilots in the UK can work without restrictions.

In the past, people who revealed they had HIV were automatically asked for a cognitive test to assess their mental abilities – a complicated and expensive process.

However, new CAA guidelines, developed with support from HIV charities, say the risk of pilots becoming infected with medical conditions that could impair their ability to fly safely will be low. much more if they are diagnosed promptly and treated with antiretroviral drugs.

The regulator also issued a six-month amnesty to allow undisclosed HIV-infected airline employees to adjust their medical records without facing enforcement action.

The new guidelines and amnesty also apply to air traffic controllers.

The CAA medical team will work with those who come in to review their health status. Their employer will not be notified.

This change was first started by pilot and campaigner James Bushe, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2014.

In 2017, Mr. Bushe was denied the opportunity to become an airline pilot because of his HIV-positive status. At that time, pilots who were eligible and then contracted the virus were allowed to fly.

After starting a campaign to change the rules, the CAA changed guidelines in 2020 allowing Mr Bushe to qualify as a pilot and he became the first commercial pilot to contract HIV in Europe.

Mr. Bushe, from Stoke-on-Trent was initially denied the opportunity to qualify as a pilot because of his HIV status.
Picture:
Mr. Bushe, from Stoke-on-Trent was initially denied the opportunity to qualify as a pilot because of his HIV status.

A ‘world first’ for airline employees

The latest measures announced today are said to be a top priority around the world for airline employees.

CAA chief executive Richard Moriarty said the UK would “continue to lead the way in helping HIV positive pilots fly safely and pursue their careers and dreams”.

He continued: “Recent medical advances mean that if someone with HIV effectively controls their condition, they should be able to live a near-normal life.

“Our new guidance recognizes this.

“I would personally urge anyone who has not previously made their HIV status public to contact us within the next six months so we can have complete confidence in this with you.”

Ian Green, chief executive of the HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “These landmark changes remove the last barriers for people living with HIV to have a full-time career as a full-time worker. commercial pilots, reflecting the tremendous progress we have made in the fight against HIV over the past 40 years and marking the UK as a global leader in HIV aviation policy.

“Outdated restrictions put pilots living with HIV back into their careers, but now the Civil Aviation Authority’s policies and practices will reflect the realities of living with HIV.” nowadays.”

HIV ‘changed’

Mr Green said the changes would allow pilots to share that they are living with HIV “without any negative impact on their careers”.

This sends a message to the public that HIV “has changed” and that a diagnosis “shouldn’t stop anyone from realizing their dreams and goals as a commercial pilot or whatever.” nothing else,” he added.

Latest UK Health Security Agency figures show an estimated 107,000 people are living with HIV in the UK by 2020.



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button