Hey all,
Need ur expert advice here haha. I ll keep it a simple read:
About me
I defered from NS in April 2011 to go back and retake my A levels. My new enlistment date is 16th Jan 2012. I have been posted to SCS & SWAS. I am currently PES A
What I need
Get posted to a vocation/unit that can stay out
Why I need to stay out
Before going BMT, I had sensitive nose. When I wake up every morning, the first thing I would do is to sneeze repeatedly and uncontrollably and then my nose would start running. I have been to doctors and they told me that my case cannot be cured but can be controlled. Over the years, I realized that to control my condition I need to sleep in a well air-conditioned room because if my body temperature is too low in the morning, my condition will get worse. After sleeping in the air-conditionless bunks in BMTC and field camps, my condition worsened. Not only does my nose run every morning, the entire area around my nose and eyes feel pressurized and bloated. I couldn't even do 5BX properly because the watery mucous will start dripping all over the place (sry for being gross and I am not exaggerating). I feel like crap for the whole day because of the pressure in my nose and eyes area and the nose that would just not stop running.
Ever since I defered from NS to study, my condition has slowly gotten better though it is still worse than before BMT. I need to stay out so that I can sleep in the air-conditioned room at home and stop my conditioning from worsening again. I really can't imagine life with this crap feeling everyday.
My questions
1. Do I need to down PES to get a stayout vocation/unit?
2. Is my condition down-PES-able?
3. Exactly what I should do (who to contact, what to prepare, where i should go, etc) if I were to down PES?
4. What if by the time I re-enlist the MO still havent down PES me? Can I excused stay-in if I am still pending down PES at that time?
Please lend me ur advice! Details will be greatly appreciated!
Here: http://sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/392446
FYI, PES is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PULHHEEMS.
1) Go to Public Hospital / Private Specialist.
Note: You will be classified as a subsidised patient if your first visit is via:
2) Consult specialist, and
do whatever medical check ups required. E.g. physical
exam, blood test, x-ray, CT scan, MRI scan.
3) Specialist gave a finalised clinical diagnosis.
4) Get the specialist to write you a
memo which is to be given to
SAF MO. Those who can and are willing to spend some
more money can get him/her to write you a specialist report,
which is more precise and detailed.
Note: For not to
waste time and money, please be more direct yet humble. Request the
specialist to write about reviewing of PES and medical
board / anything specific such as any
excuses to your conditions.
5) Book an
medical review appointment using the eHealth module @ www.ns.sg (for
NSman Reservists).
Just go down to your camp medical centre
(for NSFs).
Call CMPB @ 6373 1340 to request another
PES review (for Pre-Enlistees after CMPB
Checkup).
6) Make a trip down to the respective unit camp medical centre. Give the MO whatever supporting documents you have in hand. E.g. Specialist memo/report (most usually the case and highly recommended), x-ray films, CT/MRI scan report, blood investigation lab report... etc.
7) MO will decide whether you are deemed eligible for KIV downgrade, according to the criterias set in the "PES Bible" directive. E.g. Diagnosis, Extent of Diagnosis, Degree of Diagnosis/Injury/Illness/Disease...etc.
8) If deemed so, you will sign an acknowledgement notice of Medical Board, whereby your case statement is prepared for review discussion at the monthly medical board meet (usually at the Formation/Division HQ) with another NSF CPT MO and the Chairman (SAF Regular Medical Doctor of MAJOR rank or above). Your Medical Board result will be post mailed to you by your respective NSHRC (Formation NS Hub).
Time and time again, the questions for Medical Review (Downgrade) is repetitive. Therefore, this serves as a general SOP for Medical Board.
Extract from www.mindef.gov.sg/nsmen:
NSmen must update their NS HRCs if they should
develop any new medical condition or if their existing medical
condition has worsened which might affect their ability to perform
their duties during ICT. Arrangements will then be made for them to
attend a medical review at the SAF medical centre to assess their
fitness for NS.
The NSmen MUST bring along all investigation results and
memorandums from his external physician/specialist during the
medical review. Depending on the outcome of the medical review, the
NSman may be given a medical certificate to defer him from ICT, be
scheduled for a medical board to downgrade him if his medical
condition is significant, or referred to a restructured hospital
for further investigation. In the event that the medical officer
determines that the NSman’s medical condition will not affect his
ability to participate in the ICT, he will allow the NSman to
attend the ICT.
sry, what is NS HRCs
Actually I have the same condition as you do but I seem to manage fine. I actually got an excuse stay-in by hospital specialist at CGH but the MO only chose to give me an excuse dusty smoky environment. But the unit interpreted it as excuse stay in anyway. But I got through my BMT fine, you'll have problems with the camo though. But yeah like what they said, try and get a referral, excuse stay in from the specialist isn't too hard to get.
I dun think they'll down PES you....probably if they do it'll still be PES B...still can keep your vocation....the most they excuse you "dusty areas"....
Thanks for all the replies so far.
I think my problem is not just sensitive to "dusty areas". Rather, if i do not sleep in an air conditioned room with the right temperature I will wake up having the symptoms, and if the environment persist to be like that for a few days my condition will worsen.
My condition got a little better after POP when I got to sleep at home. Upon receiving the notification that I am going to be post to SCS & SWAS, I tried to sleep without air condition for a few days so that I can "test" my ability to sleep in camp bunk condition. Unfortunately my symptoms came back and became quite bad.
So I am wondering whether the MO will consider this and allow me to be excused stay-in.
Originally posted by IAmKC:Thanks for all the replies so far.
I think my problem is not just sensitive to "dusty areas". Rather, if i do not sleep in an air conditioned room with the right temperature I will wake up having the symptoms, and if the environment persist to be like that for a few days my condition will worsen.
My condition got a little better after POP when I got to sleep at home. Upon receiving the notification that I am going to be post to SCS & SWAS, I tried to sleep without air condition for a few days so that I can "test" my ability to sleep in camp bunk condition. Unfortunately my symptoms came back and became quite bad.
So I am wondering whether the MO will consider this and allow me to be excused stay-in.
references:
http://sgforums.com/topics/search?q=Specialist+Memo+Talk&commit=Go&type=topics
this case study is very clear cut...
it's simply...
no specialist memo, no talk;
got specialist memo, got talk.
Get a specialist to write a memo to you camp MO....they'll put you on medical board and possibly down PES you....or excuse you "dusty areas"....