[SamC]

Most pilots are blokes and for a fair few the medical is their only point of contact with a health care professional from one medical to the next, and although there are some good stories of people's health benefits because of these interactions cannot be a proxy for proper health care provisions.

Totally agree! Luckily, I am never ill, so the visit to the AME is the only time I have any form of health check these days

[Flyin'Dutch']

@Dodo You were right as confirmed by @patowalker

As I have said before, the FAA was the port of rescue for pilots in stormy medical waters, those days have truly gone as EASA and in particular the UK lead by the CAA have got way more liberal in their views and managing of medical conditions for medical flight certification.