Fraudulent Medical Testing Operation Exposed
Andrew Eburne, the director of a company named 'Doctors on Wheels', has been sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in a scheme that provided fraudulent medical examinations to thousands of HGV drivers. The company, which promised 'cheap medicals' by 'fully licensed doctors', was found to have utilized unqualified personnel to sign off drivers as fit for operating lorries, buses, and taxis. Consultations were often brief, lasting only minutes and taking place in the back of vans at various locations including lay-bys and motorway service stations across the UK.
Compromising Public Safety for Profit
Trading standards investigators uncovered severe deficiencies in the medical assessments. In one instance, a 'profoundly deaf' driver was given a full pass, while another individual with a glass eye was recorded as having 'perfect vision'. Judge Huw Rees, during sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, stated that Eburne, 51, had 'put profit before safety' and played 'a leading role' in 'business dealings served to compromise public safety'.
Doctors on Wheels reportedly offered these medical tests for 'just under £60', significantly undercutting competitors. This price point, combined with the questionable practices, drew the attention of authorities.
Undercover Operation Reveals Deception
In 2019, three undercover investigators, posing as aspiring lorry drivers, booked appointments with Doctors on Wheels at different locations simultaneously – Swindon, Huddersfield, and Leicester. During these appointments, staff members in the vans conducted basic eye and blood pressure tests, along with medical questionnaires. However, upon reviewing their completed medical forms, investigators discovered that the same doctor's name was listed on all forms, despite different individuals conducting the tests. This discovery corroborated the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) suspicion that the Leicester-based firm was using a stamped signature of a doctor to fraudulently process numerous medical tests daily.
Covert recordings also showed Doctors on Wheels staff providing answers to a patient struggling with an eye test and allowing another patient to complete parts of their medical forms at home. Rhys Harries, who led the investigation for Swansea Trading Standards, highlighted that 'People who were known to the DVLA as having health conditions were being signed off as perfectly fit.'
Mandatory Medicals and Lack of Verification
To obtain a license for heavy goods vehicles, drivers must undergo a D4 medical examination, which must be performed by a doctor registered with the General Medical Council and paid for privately. These tests are mandatory for first-time license applicants and periodically for drivers over 45 to ensure continued road safety.
During the sting operation, Harries intentionally booked his test under a colleague's name to check for identity verification. He confirmed that 'The staff member didn't take any form of ID. She asked me a few questions, and within minutes I was out of there with [the paperwork] signed in my colleague's name.'
Investigators also found that while staff in the vans often claimed to be nurses, only one was actually registered to work as a nurse in the UK. Two doctors whose signatures were used on the stamps, Dr. Adrian Mosescu and Dr. Ronald James, were investigated by the General Medical Council. Dr. Mosescu was struck off, and Dr. James had his registration suspended for 12 months, though criminal charges against both were dropped.
Industry Concerns and DVLA Action
The fraudulent activities of Doctors on Wheels raised concerns within the industry. Dr. Grant Charlesworth-Jones, chairman of the D4 Group, noticed suspicious online reviews and, after conducting his own mystery shopper appointments, alerted the DVLA and the Road Haulage Association. The DVLA, having been alerted by the General Medical Council in 2017, stopped accepting D4 medical reports from Doctors on Wheels in June 2019 following their investigations.
A DVLA spokesperson affirmed their commitment to road safety, stating, 'After concerns were raised about Doctors on Wheels, our investigations found issues with how medicals were being carried out. We acted quickly to stop accepting their forms and referred the case for prosecution. This was a significant case to protect public safety and uphold trust in the licensing system.'
The value of the fraud was estimated at £681,699, though prosecutors noted that the true extent of the public safety risks caused by these practices might never be fully known. Eburne, from Burbage, denied participating in a fraudulent business but was convicted in April and sentenced on Friday. His defense lawyer stated that Eburne accepted responsibility and acknowledged the 'catastrophic' impact on him and his family.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for December.
Source: Thousands of HGV drivers given bogus medical tests in the back of vans