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Nich-Nick
Medical June 3, 2008 - Bentinck Mansion

My fiance' had his medical today and said it was very easy. His appointment was for 1:10 and he arrived at the scene quite early so had tea and a sandwich at a nice cafe on Marylebone Lane. He went in at 12:45. He said to tell you that it says FLAT 4 on the building, so FL 4 isn't 4th floor. They started processing him immediately even though he was actually 25 min early.

X-ray: as described by others. The thing you hold behind your back is a lead shield to protect your lower parts from the x-rays.

Medical exam: He had the Irish doctor mentioned in other posts. His name is Owen Waters. (He saw the "lady Asian doctor" referred to and said she had Asian features, but had frizzy blonde hair and was dressed a bit tarty for a doctor in his estimation.) LOL. He didn't take off any clothes. All the checks others have described were done. He had to undo his pants and Dr. Waters just lifted the underwear waistband and did a quick peek below. He later asked if fiance' had been circumcised, so I guess he didn't do much looking.

Immunization: He wanted to have everything done before immigrating so had gotten MMR jab at National Health doctor and took updated records also noting he had chickenpox disease. As it turns out a new US requirement (Feb '08 nurse said) not on the website or the Packet 3 paper is adults must have the DTaP shot. (Diptheria, Tetnus, acellular Pertussis) Pertussis is whooping cough and the nurse said that's the new US concern. It also takes care of the requirement for the tetnus booster. Since his interview is awhile off, he is going to National Health for the shot. They don't have to do Visa shots for free, but his MMR was free. Nurse said for his doctor to fax them when he's had the shot and they will add it to the record and send everything on to the embassy at that time. They will also mail him a complete record of his immunizations.

Photo note: Packet 3 says in two places to have a US sized (2x2) photo for the medical. He had some photos already, but only 2 for the embassy and a smaller British size for the medical. He took one of each size and asked the nurse which one. She took the smaller one and said we have to cut the others down anyway to fit on the form they give us. So if you happen to have an extra British size passport photo, it is acceptable at the medical.
debbylyn
Barry also went for his medical yesterday and also had the Irish doctor. He said the doctor was very friendly and they chatted a bit about what sort of work he does, what he plans on doing in the States and where in the US he was going to be living. The doctor went over all the questions on the form Barry had filled out. He said everything went smoothly and he was out of there in no time.

As for the photo....He took American and British passport photos also and gave them the British size, which was fine...good thing so he can save the 2 US size ones for the interview!
HikerMark
QUOTE(Nich-Nick @ Jun 3 2008, 08:50 PM) *
Medical June 3, 2008 - Bentinck Mansion

Immunization: He wanted to have everything done before immigrating so had gotten MMR jab at National Health doctor and took updated records also noting he had chickenpox disease. As it turns out a new US requirement (Feb '08 nurse said) not on the website or the Packet 3 paper is adults must have the DTaP shot. (Diptheria, Tetnus, acellular Pertussis) Pertussis is whooping cough and the nurse said that's the new US concern. It also takes care of the requirement for the tetnus booster. Since his interview is awhile off, he is going to National Health for the shot. They don't have to do Visa shots for free, but his MMR was free. Nurse said for his doctor to fax them when he's had the shot and they will add it to the record and send everything on to the embassy at that time. They will also mail him a complete record of his immunizations.



That is interesting as I raised this topic a couple of weeks ago and there was a lot of confusion about whether DTaP was required, with some UK doctor's practices thinking the P meant polio. Please let us know if your fiance does get it on the NHS as my practice nurse has never heard of the DTaP vaccination and doesn't think it is available on the NHS. At "only" £25 I will probably have mine done at the medical in London. My local NHS doctor has already fleeced me £25 for the MMR jab and £25 for the immunisation certificate.
Nich-Nick
QUOTE(Nich-Nick @ Jun 3 2008, 02:50 PM) *
Immunization: He wanted to have everything done before immigrating so had gotten MMR jab at National Health doctor and took updated records also noting he had chickenpox disease. As it turns out a new US requirement (Feb '08 nurse said) not on the website or the Packet 3 paper is adults must have the DTaP shot. (Diptheria, Tetnus, acellular Pertussis) Pertussis is whooping cough and the nurse said that's the new US concern. It also takes care of the requirement for the tetnus booster. Since his interview is awhile off, he is going to National Health for the shot. They don't have to do Visa shots for free, but his MMR was free. Nurse said for his doctor to fax them when he's had the shot and they will add it to the record and send everything on to the embassy at that time. They will also mail him a complete record of his immunizations.

Hi. Wanted to get this in before it gets too far away from the original post. This is some further info I have learned in the last few hours.
(Background: Before medical, the NHS doc looked at immigration sheet and said you've had all of this you need. The Knightsbridge nurse said no as quoted above.)

In a document from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) it explains it a little more. DTaP or DTP is a series that babies/children get. Tdap is a formulation for adolescents and adults and is a booster for those who had the series as children. I believe that Tdap is the one to get even though she wrote DTaP on his paper to take back to NHS doc. Wondering now if that practice would even have that particular shot since it's probably not widely used. In hindsight, getting it at Knightsbridge might have been a better plan. He has not been back to NHS practice yet to report what they say, but wanted to put in this disclaimer to my previous post asap.

This is from the CDC
QUOTE
Acellular pertussis-containing vaccines are available for use in persons at least 10 years of age. The adolescent and adult formulation of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is given as a single (booster) dose for persons 10 through 64 years of age who have completed the recommended childhood diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and the pertussis/diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTP/DTaP) vaccine series.


It comes from this long document. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti_vacc.pdf which is everything you want to know about vaccines. See page 12-14 for a good chart of requirements. In small type on page 12 is this which is more information than Packet 3 sheet gives you
QUOTE
DTP=diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine; DTaP=diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine; DT=pediatric formulation diphtheria and tetanus toxoids; Td=adult formulation tetanus and diphtheria toxoids; Tdap=adolescent and adult formulation tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (Boostrix for persons 10−18 years old; Adacel for persons 11−64 years old)


That's all I know for now.
Hopeful5
QUOTE(jmwaziri @ Feb 22 2006, 08:55 AM) *
Hello VJers!

I had my medical yesterday with Knightsbridge Doctors, 10-11 Bulstrode Place, London. The time of appointmet was 2:45pm.

I had booked my flight tickets with RyanAir, from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to London Stansted. Here's how the day went:

Woke up at 7am, got to Glasgow Central Station at 8am to catch the 8:20 train to Prestwick Airport. Arrived at Prestwick at 9:30am to catch flight to London Stansted at 10:20am

The flight arrived at London ahead of schedule at around 11:15am, took the Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street, which took about 55 minutes. Arrived at London Liverpool Street at 12:57pm, hundreds of Barcelona fans here to see the Chelsea-Barcelona Champions League (football/soccer) clash tomorrow. Go Chelsea!!! good.gif

I had two options from London Liverpool Street Underground: Regent's Park Underground or Great Portland Street Underground. I took the Tube to Great Portland Street as it required no changes and was the shorter route. Here are some pictures for you guys (took them from my phone, so they're not great)





So here's where I got off, Great Portland St. Underground. Knightsbridge Doctors are hardly 10-min walk from here, so no need to pay a taxi unless you are really rich, in which case buy me the ticket to USA laughing.gif
If you stand where I am standing (use the nice building with pillars in the background as reference point), start walking in the opposite direction, keep walking until you see Devonshire Street...turn right onto Devonshire Street (sorry didnt take pics of that). Keep walking down Devonshire Street, you should see Embassy of Turkey and Chile. Keep walking until you can go no further. You will now see Marylebone High Street and you can either turn right or left onto it...turn LEFT onto Marylebone High Street. Here's a view of if below



Keep walking down this street until you see Marylebone Lane on your left. Enter Marylebone Lane, after less than 30 seconds of walking, u will see a small alley. Thats your destination, Bulstrode Place! (see pics below)





That little blue sign board outside is the entrance to Alliance Medical Imaging Centre, go in there and head straight to the 2nd Floor!


I had my little Acer n35 PDA with GPS Navigation so it wasnt too hard to find the place.

They gave me a form to fill in, then took a chest x-ray after a while. Then another nurse comes and takes me into another room to discuss vaccinations. Since I didnt have any previous records, I was given 2 jabs, one for MMR and other for Tetanus; one on each arm. The MMR really stings when it goes inside u...ouch! sad.gif
I mentioned to the lady that I would require the DS-3025 for vaccinations and she didnt have a clue. I told her its needed in the USA for AOS process. Then she told me that they will give me a copy of vaccination record which will be sent to the embassy and showed me the form. It did look like the DS-3025, hopefully that is whats needed.

Then the docotor saw me, was a nice guy from South Africa. Asked me to read a board on the wall to check my eyesight, then looked in to my ears and throat, measure my weight and height...and took blood from my left arm...that's the third time i got stabbed crying.gif but if that is what it takes to be with my sweetheart then so be it, she's worth it so I wont complain.

They said that results of X-Ray and blood sample will come in a day and they will then forward everything to the Embassy.

So that was it, all over in about 80 minutes. Thank God for another step being completed smoothly. Just one more step to go...can not wait to become husband to lovely Christine!

I love u honey!!! Thank u for pushing me to take the pictures blush.gif

Good luck to all!

Jahan.



Wow...thanks for all the wonderful info, with pictures no less! I'll forward this on to my finace so he knows what to expect!
Thanks again!
elmcitymaven
QUOTE(Hopeful5 @ Jun 5 2008, 10:57 PM) *
Wow...thanks for all the wonderful info, with pictures no less! I'll forward this on to my finace so he knows what to expect!
Thanks again!


Just to warn you... that info is out of date (2006!), as are the pictures. You're best off looking at the more recent info in this thread. You don't want your fiance wandering off into some dark alley! Anything from 2008 will be more useful.
Mark and Hannah
Medical June 18, 2008 - Bentinck Mansions

Managed to make my way there from Paddington without mishap despite my general lack of a sense of direction, so it must be easy to find!

My appointment was at 13:00 but I arrived at 12:50 and this didn't seem to be a problem.

Handed in my passport, a british passport photo (I offered an american style one but they wanted the british one), the completed form from packet 3, details of the MMR and Tdap I had done at my local GP recently - this clearly showed that I had a single shot containing tetanus diphtheria and polio - and then I sat in the waiting room and completed another form very similar to the one in packet 3 and signed the form for HIV testing.

X-ray: seemed straightforward, then I got dressed again and went back to the waiting room.

Medical exam: I had the pleasant Irish doctor Owen Waters who has been mentioned in other posts. He was really nice and even helped me get off one of my boots when the zip stuck! He asked me basically all the same questions as were on the form about whether I had ever had any major operations or illnesses, whether I had ever suffered from diabetes, had I had chickenpox, etc. then he weighed me, measured my height, and did a very basic eye test - just had to read the second row from the bottom on the chart, which was easy with my glasses on (I could read the bottom row but this was not asked of me!). Then he sat me on the bed and took my blood pressure, chatted to me a little bit about where I was headed in America, listened to my heart, got me to raise my arms and tapped my armpits once lightly. Then he looked in my ears and throat, before asking me to lay down and then he apparently took the pulse at my ankles, although quite how he managed to do that through my thick fluffy pink socks I'm not sure. After that he prodded my abdomen quite thoroughly and got me to cough while he did it.

I was only wearing a vest-style top with a bra underneath and evidently he didn't feel the need to examine my female parts in any closer detail, so no breast exam, and no checking to make sure I didn't secretly have a penis!

Then he took blood from my arm, which he managed first time even though my veins are small and lots of doctors have trouble hitting a vein first time, so full props to him for that one.

I was very surprised and pleasantly relieved that it was so straightforward. Although it really was odd to me that they didn't ask any questions about cervical smear tests or things like that (I had details with me in case I was asked). To be honest, it really didn't seem like a very thorough medical, but evidently it was all that was required.

Then I went back to the waiting room while he handed my file to reception and then a few minutes later they called me to pay the fee and gave me a sheet showing my vaccination status, where they had filled in the information I had provided and noted that my vaccination record is incomplete but that I was eligible for a waiver since none of the other items are age appropriate (I'm 29).

No mention was made of my needing a booster for Pertussis, nor was this shown on the form they gave me as being a requirement.
pandora
Medical June 20, 2008 - Bentinck Mansions

Left birmingham with my daughter on 11am train - train was delayed outside london so was late arriving. Rather than drag here around london lookin for the place we hopped in a taxi at euston station cost us £10

Got to the doctors office just before out time at 1.30. went into the building the doctors office if on the right, handed over all relevant paperwork including vaccination evidence from local GP and we went and sat in the waiting room. HAd to complete other forms for myself and my daughter which was similar to the ones we had handed over and signed the consent form for the HIV blood test.

Got called for my chest xray which i was really nervous about as i had a stinking chest cold, had to strip to waist and remove jewellery and put on blue front fastening gown, got xrayed and weighed, when that was done went and rejoined my daughter in the waiting room.

A little while later got called in to see Dr Waters where he weighed and measured me ( wow i lost 2kg from being xrayed to being weighed again ) I wish that was so true, ( hehehehe), had my blood pressure and my blood taken hopped onto the bed so he could listen to my heart and chest and check my ears , then had to lie down so he could press on my tummy sad.gif

HE was a really nice guy and we talked a little. Finally he did the sight test and told him i wear glasses so he asked me to put them on thats when i explained they were with my daughter in my bad he then went and got my daughter for her medical fortunately for her shes only 10 so no xray and no blood test.

She was pretty well behaved couldnt cough on request cant say that i have ever heard her cough for the sake of it so she was having trouble then he checked her ears heart and chest and pressed on her tummy which she wasn't impresssed with and he explained that he was jsut checkin to see if she had a hernia.

We then went back and sat in the waiting room again so that we could see the nurse about the vaccinations, mine were fine, but i had forgot to get my daughter the hep b so have to get that done and fax the paperwork back to the doctors so they can complete the vaccination form.

we were there for about 2 hours altogether and the nurse apologised for the delays as they were a member of staff short that day.

so all in all was ok.

Took kids away on saturday for a mini cruise as my son wont be coming with us, so i rang my brother on the Tuesday when i had a uk signal on my phone to find out the Doctor had left a message for me to ring, rang and found out they didnt have enough blood and rebooked for after my interview on 8th july. After some thought rang back today and rebooked for next monday so yay another trip to london just as they didnt take enough blood sad.gif

So hopefully that one will be quicker and hope i dont get another bruise from the needle sad.gif

So for children the medical is very simple height, weight, ears, heart, chest, tummy think that was all he did and for a loverly charge of £90
Thomas F
Hi all,

Thank you for all the help, advice, information, and support. Milena had her medical on Wednesday morning, so here is our report!:

We were a bit late, and as my wife likes shopping, she said, "Hey, Selfridges is between Marble Arch and Bond Street. Maybe we could save some time by hopping off one stop early!" Bad idea. The turn, Marylebone Lane, is definitely just at the Bond Street stop. I should have checked my maps. Anyway, the clinic called us and we begged to give us a bit of extra time. Running down Oxford Street in the rain, we finally found Marylebone Lane (lovely little street), and turned north. It was indeed after Wigmore, but we missed the turn as we were looking at the street signs on the left, and Bentwick goes off to the right. Anyway, we arrived at Bentwick Mews, found no clinic, called, and were sent back one block to Bentwick Street. (This all is pretty typical for us....always late, always lost, but maybe telling the story will help someone else from making the same mistake...!)

They were merciful, although not pleased. We gave them the form and her passport, and they gave us a very similar form which asked a few more details, as other VJers have testified to. Milena went in for the doctor's examination, which was fairly laid back (the one surgery she has had in her life was apparently "fairly common," according to the doc. We then went to the x-ray room, where the doctor explained that, since she was two weeks late, the possibility existed that she was pregnant. We went ahead with the x-ray, since I had already read about the potential dangers, but the nurse would not give us the MMR vaccination until she received confirmation from our GP that she was not pregnant. She said that Milena would be approved once she received from our GP confirmation that she had 1) received the Polio vaccine, and 2) that she was either pregnant, or that she had received the MMR.

Well, she is pregnant! We found out in our GPs office, old school style. It was amazing. We had been trying (half-heartedly) for a few months, but her cycle had become so irregular we didn't think much for the two weeks late. We thought we would try harder this fall, but we were pleasantly surprised!!!!!!

So, our GP gave Milena the Polio vaccine but not the (live) MMR, and later faxed the info to Bentwick Mansions. I called today and Bentwick mansions informed me that they have forwarded her info to the embassy...that Milena has passed!

We couldn't be more pleased about the way things are going, the happy news of the pregnancy, and our impending interview on the 18th! This process was painful, but it appears to be nearing a very very happy conclusion.

Once again to all, thanks!
Alex & Rachel
Aw! What a sweet story. smile.gif Congratulations!
SMB x2
Medical July 9th, 1.50pm, Bentinck Mansions.

I got there around 1.30pm. It really is only a few minutes walk from Bond Street station, I printed out a map from Google Maps so that it had a bit more detail, as "Map B" provided wasn't very clear.

At the front desk, I was asked for the questionnaire sheet that was included in packet 3, a photo (I gave them a spare US sized one I had handy) and a copy of my vaccination record. My local GP's office were able to provide a print out of my vaccination records going all the way back to when the computerised records began in the late 80s, and Knightsbridge were happy to accept this.

In the waiting room, I was asked to fill out a similar questionnaire (only ticking yes or no, not providing any detail) and sign an AIDS test consent form. After around 10 minutes I was called in to have my chest x-rayed, the guy was pretty amusing so made me quite relaxed.

Back in the waiting room for a few minutes, I was eventually called in by the Irish doctor. After going through the yes/no answers I provided, he asked a few more questions and asked me to take my shoes off and hop on the weighing scales. It didn't break when I stood on it, thankfully. He then measured my height (seems I'm closer to 5'10, could have sworn I was 5'11) and then asked so sit in front of a selotape X on the carpet. He turned around and said "oh no sorry, I said stand in front of the X!"

I guess my hearing is a bit pants tongue.gif

Anyway, read some stuff off the eye chart, then sat on the bed. He took my blood pressure (through my shirt) and checked my lungs and heart at various positions on my chest and back. I then had to lie down and he checked my feet. I honestly had no idea what he was checking there, although I think my socks were a bit stinky. He then went off and wrote something down and started talking about my background, whilst getting me to un-button my jeans. I knew exactly what was coming and started babbling on about my physics degree to avoid the looming uncomfortable situation. After leaning on my stomach a bit, he was waffling about something and, sure enough, said "and just a quick peak" whilst looking down my underwear. I'm not sure what he ascertained in that split second, perhaps that I'm male.

Anyway, last thing to do was the blood sample. I was still waffling about physics, dreading the needle, when he proceeded to puncture my arm with a sword and take some blood. After a few minutes he put a plaster on it and that was me done! Nothing out of the ordinary.

When I went out into the foyer to pay, I noticed blood all over my (best) shirt. I nipped back in and he spent ages cleaning it up and put another plaster on it. He rolled up my sleeve to hide the blood stain and said I should start a trend of having one sleeve rolled up. tongue.gif

Anyway, job done smile.gif I would guess it all lasted about 30-40 minutes. Worth noting that because I had the interview earlier in the day, the Embassy still had my passport. They gave me a photocopy of the picture page to give to the Knightsbridge people, which seemed to suffice.
The Red Baron
Could anyone tell meif this sounds reasonable

My interview is nine oclock on the 11th my medical is on the 29th but im going to bring it forward would i have enough time to have it the same day at 1600hrs? you know. will i be done in time?
Thomas F
QUOTE(The Red Baron @ Jul 29 2008, 05:04 PM) *
Could anyone tell meif this sounds reasonable

My interview is nine oclock on the 11th my medical is on the 29th but im going to bring it forward would i have enough time to have it the same day at 1600hrs? you know. will i be done in time?


Unless you have some issue, you should be done by noon. Our appt was at 8:30 and we were out by 11.

Good luck! Really rooting for you.
Mark and Hannah
QUOTE(Thomas F @ Jul 29 2008, 08:02 PM) *
QUOTE(The Red Baron @ Jul 29 2008, 05:04 PM) *
Could anyone tell meif this sounds reasonable

My interview is nine oclock on the 11th my medical is on the 29th but im going to bring it forward would i have enough time to have it the same day at 1600hrs? you know. will i be done in time?


Unless you have some issue, you should be done by noon. Our appt was at 8:30 and we were out by 11.

Good luck! Really rooting for you.


My appointment was 09:00 (I was there half an hour before) but I didn't get out until 12:30... no problems, they were just busy that day. So I would say allow 4 hours plus travelling time just to be on the safe side.
Nicoxcx
I was just wondering, is booking the Medical for the day before the interview okay timing? , I figured instead of making 2 seperate trips up to London from Scotland I could travel there for the medical, stay at a hotel and go to the interview the next day.
pandora
QUOTE(Nicoxcx @ Aug 1 2008, 06:29 PM) *
I was just wondering, is booking the Medical for the day before the interview okay timing? , I figured instead of making 2 seperate trips up to London from Scotland I could travel there for the medical, stay at a hotel and go to the interview the next day.



should be fine - but visa would be subject to medical and they would issue it 3-5 days after receiving the medical results.

Hope this helps.
pandora
ok update on medical which was originally done on 20th June - had to go back give more blood on 30th June as they needed to retest it ( had the start of a cold when first was taken ).

so 2nd sample was sent off - they redid the first test again as there wasnt enough sample for what should of be the second test. They had the results and sat on them for a week. when I rang to see what was going on i was adivsed that they had done the wrong test on the second sample but was confident there was enough left from the 1st sample ( made me wonder why i had to go give a second sample). Found this out on a Friday and was told the test woudl be done on the Monday. Rang back on the Wednesday to see if it had been done and if they had results. Was advised at this stage that this particular test is only carried out on a thursday sad.gif

At this point i was livid and made a formal complaint to the HPA ( there the people the sample is sent off to ).

finally on Friday 25th July the doctor rang to say they had the results back and they were fine. So worried for a month that there was something wrong with me sad.gif

Got a letter of apology from the HPA where they will revise some of there practises to ensure that this doesnt happen again.

So the embassy finally got my medical results on Tuesday 29th July so waiting on them to process it.

Nicoxcx
QUOTE(pandora @ Aug 6 2008, 09:39 AM) *
QUOTE(Nicoxcx @ Aug 1 2008, 06:29 PM) *
I was just wondering, is booking the Medical for the day before the interview okay timing? , I figured instead of making 2 seperate trips up to London from Scotland I could travel there for the medical, stay at a hotel and go to the interview the next day.



should be fine - but visa would be subject to medical and they would issue it 3-5 days after receiving the medical results.

Hope this helps.


Thankyou Pandora, I dont mind waiting the extra few days to save the cash smile.gif .
The Red Baron
Well medical done.

In the door at half eight which didnt impress the staff thy were a bit stern but i guess i was disturbing there morning cup of coffee, they let me in anyways filled in the yes no questions they gave me. and waited. The Radiographer was a very nice talkative chap and i was done in there and straight in with the Irish guy who is from cork where we lived for four years so we knew a few of the same people drank in some of the same places which was nice but it was all rythym for him. Questions again, weight, height, eyesight test in front of the tape on the floor. Up on the bed for the prostate test then he says ill have a quick look down there nearly had me in stitches no bedside patter just ill take a look smile.gif done with the doc. Go to sit down and im called down the hall for jabs which i had already so nursey apologised went up to the window paid and walked off to the tube station.

Medical done in 20mins £180.00 lighter plus four quid for a coffee and a cake in costa. just back at my mates until tube to victoria to get my coach home.

RB
SMB x2
Folks, should I have had a TB skin test during my medical? I'm just starting the AOS process and noticed this:

QUOTE
Q: When did the new TB requirements become effective?

The new TB testing and treatment requirements became effective on May 1, 2008. However, CDC allowed a 30 day grace period. Therefore, any medical exam that takes place on or after June 1, 2008 must be performed in accordance with the new TB testing requirements.


which kinda suggests they should have done one at Knightsbridge.

Just when you think you're on top of this process, something else renders you completely confused.


Stu
SMB x2
Sorry to double post.

Someone in the AOS forum kindly confirmed that I will need the TB skin test. Unless it's something that has to be done here locally in the US, I'm really disappointed Knightsbridge weren't more on the ball.

Anyway, now to figure out where we need to get this TB test done :s


Stu
Nicoxcx
I don't think Knightsbridge offer the TB test, They no doubt use the Chest X-Ray to check for TB as that is a common way to diagnose it.

but all in all I agree, if the US require the skin test, Knightsbridge should offer it.
Alex & Rachel
My medical experience was almost identical to most of yours, strangely enough. wink.gif

I agree that it really is only a very short walk from Bond Street Station, although I was very briefly confused and intimidated by the building itself; it doesn't exactly look like a medical centre!

It was extremely quiet. Only one other couple were in the waiting room. I was nearly 40 minutes early as I couldn't remember whether my appointment was at 10 to 10 or 10 past 10! Turned out to be 10 past 10. I filled in the second questionnaire, signed the letter explaining about the HIV test and then waited for a half hour before the Asian lady doctor called me forward.

She was very polite and professional without being overly friendly. I did actually feel at ease with her which is unusual for me and doctors. I had to undress down to my knickers and then my height and weight were taken. I then had the eye test for which I kept on my glasses.

After that I was asked to lie down on the examining table. She listened briefly to my heart and lungs and then asked me to put my arms above my head while she conducted a breast exam. This was probably the thing she did most thoroughly! She also pressed down on my stomach and peeked down my knickers but did not need to examine anything else.

Finally she took blood from my arm. She commented on how bad my veins were, to which I answered, 'I know!' Doctors always have problems finding my veins. Fortunately, unlike the last nurse who had to take blood from me, she managed to fill a vial first time round.

There was another twenty minute wait before the radiographer came to fetch me from the second waiting room to have my x-ray taken. I was still not dressed at this point; the lady doctor had instructed me to keep a dressing gown she had given me on instead. The radiographer lent me hair clips with which to tie up my hair and then he took the x-ray as I stood with my chest to the machine. He, too, asked me to keep just the dressing gown on while we chatted and looked up my brother's house (?) on google earth on his computer while we waited for the x-ray to develop. Once he had seen that it had developed well I was finally able to get dressed, and then all that was left to do was to pay at reception.
SMB x2
Interesting, no TB skin test either? Are we Brits exempt from this or something, or just assumed to be intelligent enough to guess how to go about it, despite there being no instructions!

Sigh.


Stu
Alex & Rachel
Nope, no TB skin test! I'm not really sure what is happening there. Before travelling down to London I didn't read your posts in-depth so I didn't think to ask about it.

I actually had a BCG vaccine, which is a vaccine for TB, when I was 14 or 15. I wonder how that factors in to the AOS medical? A source online says:

QUOTE
BCG, or bacille Calmette-Guérin, is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease. BCG is used in many countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood tuberculous meningitis and miliary disease. However, BCG is not generally recommended for use in the United States because of the low risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the variable effectiveness of the vaccine against adult pulmonary TB, and the vaccine’s potential interference with tuberculin skin test reactivity. The BCG vaccine should be considered only for very select persons who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert.


Hmm...
SusieK
Medical completed...........

What can I say but was very impressed at how easy it all was after a night of no sleep worrying about getting to london on time etc etc...........saving grace for location of medical of course was this thread and also Google Maps - it is much clearer than Knightsbridge directions. good.gif

Super friendly staff and husband didnt complain much at all afterwards until the shots in the arm screamed for "PAIN MEDICINE"....................

Cheers all and now off to interview in a month.
smchadwick
I have a quick question for all you UK medical experience people! smile.gif

What all does my fiancé have to bring to the medical? What does he do if he can't get his records from his doctor? Does he absolutely need them or will they just give him what is required?

Thanks!

Stephanie
Alex & Rachel
He needs:

His passport.
Any medical information necessary; i.e. if he is on medication he needs to know the name, if he has vaccinations, he needs some kind of record.
A debit/credit card to pay the fees with.
A UK-passport sized photo.

If he cannot obtain his vaccinations record they'll just give him whatever is required there and then. However, they do charge for the vaccinations, so be aware that it could be pretty expensive!
Barry and Jackie
I had my medical today and have to say that it far less a worry than some people have made it out to be! I arrived at London Euston station, went down to the underground, caught a train on the Victoria line to Oxford Circus and then from there caught a train on the Central line to Bond Street. Once I got out of the station it was just a case of crossing the road and a 5-10 minute walk, simple!

Upon arrival I found the receptionist a little cold, she demanded my passport, medical questionnaire, the photo and vaccination records(Which I am still waiting for!). I rooted around for my passport photo and this seemed to annoy her a bit more! Anyway I was then told to sit down in the waiting room and wait until I was called. About 25-minutes had passed when she called me up along with another guy and went through the process of telling us both to fill in the top half of the first page (It's similar to the medical questionnaire you receive in packet-3) but not the bottom half! "Dont touch the second page" she said, followed by "but you must sign page 3 regarding the blood test for HIV". So of I went to fill it in and then when I had finished I popped it back on the counter, simple!

About another 10-minutes went by when a nurse popped her head in and called out my name. I duly followed her into another room where she questioned me about vaccinations and told me about what was going to happen today. She then showed me to another waiting room and said in a minute someone will come and get me, in all she was very nice! I waited for 10-minutes until a woman with a South African accent came to get me, she pointed me down the corridor and said "in here please!", "O.K" I said. She said she was going to x-ray my chest and just asked me to remove my top, it was over after about 2-minutes. I was then told to go and wait in the waiting room again.

Another 15-minutes went by until I was called by a female Dr to another room where she questioned me about my medical history, cracked a few jokes and asked what visa I was applying for. It was then time for her to check to see if I was man, a quick glance and she was happy. Then she took the blood for the HIV test, but was a little annoyed because I had taken some aspirin the night before for a headache, she went on about it affecting the clotting (It didnt though!) She seemd very nice and seemed to go about her job in a very friendly manner.

It was really simple and the only thing left to do was pay for the medical, no worries!

There is one thing though that I would like to add. I did not have my vaccination records with me but they said it would be fine for me to fax it to them, so, I would never recommend having the vaccinations done at the medical because it is going to cost you and they are fine about having it later. If you have time get them done at your doctors.

Yeah I know most of this is boring, but the point is you really have nothing to worry about. Afterall we all have enough worries to deal with regarding the visa interview.

sunnybear
Gareth had his medical today he said it took maybe 45 minutes total. That is all I know so far...oh and that he had to do his chest xray two times since he didn't breathe in enough on the first one heh heh....
sunnybear
Ok here is Gareth's interpretation of his medical appt.....

To me:
Well, how does it make you feel that some stranger has seen my weener
more times this year than you?? hahaha

Twas funny, She got me to my grundies and I led down, and she was all
'Oooofff all those scary tattoos...... I dont think I could sleep with
you with all those!' haha I was thinking 'Ummmm I didnt ask you to!'
haha I just turned around and said thats exactly what you said.

Then she checked out chest and tummy area, and told me to cough, for
some reason. And then said, 'And let me just check down here' in a
fashion that came accross as 'I shouldnt be doing this, but he dont
know I shouldnt, so im gonna peek' hahah I was gonna laugh out loud
but didnt!! haha

Damian P
Well, I had mine done today.

Left Birmingham at 9am, and headed straight down the M40 to London. Dropped the car off at Northolt (so as not to incur congestion/parking charges) and jumped on the Central Line direct to Bond St. As mentioned before, a 5 minute walk to the medical centre. Also as mentioned before, the same young and attractive, but very snotty receptionist "greeted" me. This lady clearly doesn't like her job.

So I hand over the passport/photo/questionairre, sign the HIV test sheet, and get called in for the chest x-ray. I had to have that done twice, because apparently my lungs are so big that they didn't all fit into one x-ray picture!!! You learn something new every day!!

Then a young lady doctor very swiftly gave me an eye test, took my blood pressure/pulse, told me to drop my pants, took smoe blood, and that was that. Piece of cake. And then I gave them £180. mad.gif
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