When to book medical?

[Ellesse 11]

Hi everyone

So, I've got my LND case number from the NVC, and am just thinking about booking my medical. However, I wasn't sure how quickly these appointments happen? From advice I've been given (thanks Nich-Nick), I understand that I need my police check to take to the medical. Now, I've got my UK one - it came in the post today. However, I'm waiting on the Australian one that I applied for a few weeks ago. Do I need all applicable police checks before I can have the medical done? How long did it take to get a medical from the time you contacted the doctors in Knightsbridge?

Thanks for your help in advance.

L

[emh836 2]

i had to wait three weeks for mine (31 may.) I would imagine you need to take both police certs. Ring up and book the medical then cancel three days before if it hasn't arrived. They won't be out of pocket - loads of ppl are happy to take cancellations.

Edited June 14, 2011 by emh836

[ZedbraGuy 6]

I don't know about the second police certificate question, but as for the medical the sooner you can book the better. There's a good few weeks wait ahead of your appointment. And any time you can save is a definate bonus

[Ellesse 11]

Thanks a lot for your responses so far. I would like to book the medical as soon as possible, but could have at least a month wait for the Australian police check to come back to me. For those who've already had the medical: were you asked for the police checks? On the Embassy website, it refers to documents required but makes no mention of a police check being required, so I'm now a bit confused.

L

[ZedbraGuy 6]

They asked for my police certificate and even made a copy of it, passport too if I remember right

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I don't think Knightsbridge will even know you lived in Australia so go for it with the UK police certificate is what I would do. At first I thought it was an embassy ploy to force you to have your police certificate in time. So many people used to show up for interviews without them.

Now I've changed my mind and getting off topic here as well. There's new(ish) guide 2010 Technical Instructions for Physical or Mental Disorders with Associated Harmful Behaviors and Substance-related Disorders for Panel Physicians (You may have figured out by now I read everything medical.)

So without you having to read the whole 37 pages, it deals with susbtance abuse and alcohol as harmful behaviors and not just mental disorders. It has shifted the responsibility to the panel physician to assess these things. Some excerpts from the guide.

Medical History

The panel physician should review the applicants Medical History and Physical Examination Worksheet (DS-3026) and available medical records. To fully investigate the applicants past medical history, the panel physician, when possible, should -

Obtain other relevant records, such as police,

military, school, and employment, that might provide a history of harmful behavior associated with physical or mental disorders

Looking at the police record can give him clues as to whether an applicant needs more questioning, a drug screening, addiction related psychiatric evaluation. They know everybody has to have a police report, so it's a quick way for them to get some insight about an applicant...alcohol, narcotics, pub brawls......

Some more here--

Applicants with a history of

alcohol-related arrests or convictions (e.g., driving under the influence [DUI])

who currently continues to drink alcohol and who meets DSM criteria for alcohol abuse are not cleared for travel to the United States (Class A).

Applicants with single

alcohol related arrest or conviction

within the last five years, or two or more arrests or convictions within the last ten years should be evaluated for alcohol abuse (mental health classification pending).

Applicants with history of

alcohol related arrests or convictions

that currently meets DSM criteria for full, sustained remission, may be cleared for travel and assigned a Class B Mental Health classification.

Just a conclusion I came to. Not spelled out anywhere.

I think Ellesse would be okay presenting a UK certificate if the other doesn't come and keeping her mouth shut about Australia unless asked.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Nich-Nick

[Ellesse 11]

Thanks again for your replies - I really appreciate all the input!

Nich-Nick - I know I've read this somewhere before, but you really do ROCK! Reading those excerpts you pasted - yes, I can see why the police certificate would come in handy for the medical (and, yes, I've noticed that you read the medical stuff!). I was starting to think that, given my UK police check, another police check wouldn't be necessary for the medical so I'll see how things go with the UK one if the other one hasn't arrived by then.

Thanks so much everyone. This site is so helpful - I'm so glad someone pointed it out to me.

L

[Ellesse 11]

Just wanted to let people know - I had my medical today and, despite me saying very specifically that I had travelled to Australia for a year, I was not asked for my Australian Police Check (which I had taken with me just in case as it arrived yesterday), nor did I have to list it as a 'prior country' on the medical questionnaire. Thought it might be helpful for others to know.

L