I had my medical yesterday which went OK (as far as I know) but was the most bizarre experience. I felf a bit like a heifer being herded from one place to the next, but hey, it's done now.

It was at Bentinck Mansions (:-/) and I did feel that as everyone there was paying, (for me £200), that they should really have been on time! My appointment was 1-30pm and they collected be for round 1 (x-ray) at 1-50pm. This took 5 minutes.

Next, I was told to keep my robe on and bring my top and bra with me. I was taken into a room which was almost full! I quickly hid my bra as there were men and children running around. I wish I had been warned that this is where I was going but they hadn't told me. I thought I was being taken to see the Doctor.

I sat and waited....and waited.....and waited.....etc

Eventually, I was called to see the doctor who was very matter of fact and asked lots of questions. Blood taken, "bits" looked at (WHAT is that about? It's just a "look" literally - I felt somewhat violated!!)

Anyway, it was relatively painless but mildly dehumanising experience. I know it's for immigration but it could be a little more ... well, warm really. And faster - in all, I was there nealry 2 hours and was seen for appx 20 minutes in total so take a good book and HIDE YOUR BRA ;-)

You're I think the only person who's recently gone through the Knightsbridge exam to agree with my UKC husband -- if you are paying £200 you expect to be seen in a timely fashion! Bruce had to wait 35 minutes for the x-ray, and in all it took 90 minutes. No apologies, no "sorry to keep you waiting" which even the NHS doctor can find within themselves to say after a shorter wait.

Now I know some people are going to chime in and say well, you do what you have to do if you want the visa. Well, we did. But for £200, which must surely be one of the highest Embassy medical fees to pay worldwide, at a private doctor which touts itself as giving the highest in patient care we expected at least a modicum of courtesy.

Okay, rant over! Glad your medical is over at least -- another milestone met!

I have my medical on Wednesday 20th June at the same place. Thank you for the heads-up on about what to expect.

Good luck with the rest of your Visa process.

Wow, our experience was the exact opposite. We showed up 30 minutes early for the medical and they saw us there and then. Everybody was courteous and professional and nobody was lounging around anywhere in any state of undress.

OMG!!

I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience..

but they dont care what you are paying they know you have to be there..

Why would you feel you had to hide your Bra???? its just an item of clothing, I am sure everyone there has seen a Bra at some time in there life.... would you hide a bikini top too if you were carrying that??

Kez

Maybe she's just shy?

Well, not everyone feels the same way - do they Kez? I didn't like it and would have appreciated being informed of where I was going next. You don't feel that way so - good for you!

RE part of the process:

Unfortunately, yes it is and were it not so important I would have walked out. I think it's a shame that this means people can treat you how they want to. I know if I worked somewhere people had no choice but to attend to be with their loved ones I would be very friendly and sensitive to the process. I would have been before going through it myself, but then I've always workied in caring professions and not money making ones.

I also got a bit sick of the doctor regularly slagging off the NHS when my NHS doctor is fantastic and always apologises when she is running late etc and listens to me.

Anyway, enough said, I really just wanted to warn the privacy conscious amongst us, of which I am sure I'm not the only one.

Onwards and upards then ;-)

Good luck to eveyone yet to go for the medical and interview.

FWIW, my fiance's medical was at Basil Mansions (before they changed them all to be at Bentinck) and he had quite a long wait, too. QUITE annoying!

Immigrants are put through medical checks in order to protect the US public from infectious diseases and also to ensure that the immigrant is healthy, i.e. is not likely to become a public charge due to serious illness, or to protect the US public from people with dangerous mental health problems, drug addictions, alcohol addiction, etc. These checks aren't for you at all...they're for us, and they're important. You may find it degrading, but it is essential and it's only fair for everyone to be put through them.

There are so few physicians doing the checks probably because it's a nice little earner and a guaranteed source of revenue for whoever does them. Also, the technical instructions for conducting the checks are so precise that it's probably mandatory to be trained or even certified by the CDC or other arm of the US government to do them.

As for the NHS vs private debate...the US government has nothing to do with that. Private physicians here in the UK usually go private because they have attitude about the NHS so I wouldn't expect them to have many good things to say about it. However, for the physician to SHARE those opinions with you is extremely unprofessional.

I don't remember disputing the "need", only the attitude. Just because someone has to do something I don't see why it means those carrying out the procedure aren't caring and friendly about it. I seem to be repeating this over and over so this is really the last time I'll make the point.

I am also very conscious of the fact that this is actually a 2-way process. I am sure the US government won't be refusing what could be a considerable amount of taxes I will be paying once I am there. Whilst I appreciate the privilege of admission on a visa, it's not exclusively to benefit me, I'll be paying my dues, believe me!