UK Visa Medical - Knightsbridge Review

[Melodica256 158]

Overall, my experience with Knightsbridge was pleasant, but with a little more waiting than I'd have liked!

 

My appointment was at 10:10, so I arrived at 09:50 - the location is quite tucked away, and it took me about 5 mins to figure out where I was going, even with the help of Google Maps! The streets on Google maps aren't connected, as the surrounding area has a lot of shops, so it can be hard to see where you are going but use the landmarks as best as you can! The building itself looks like a residential building, but has a plaque reading "Knightsbridge" on the door. Inside the building, you need to take the first door on your left.

 

Reception was busy, so I had to wait 15 minutes to be seen. Then, the receptionist took my paperwork from me (including passport and passport pictures) and scanned it all in, before giving me the original copies back (minus the passport and passport picture). She then gave me a urine cup and a clipboard with a couple more forms to sign. I went to the toilet and completed the urine sample, which I returned to reception, and then sat in the waiting room and filled out my forms before returning them.

 

15 minutes after returning my forms (10:35 appx), a friendly gentleman called my name. He took me to the back room and explained that he would be taking my chest x-ray. He gave me a gown and directed me to the corner of the room, which had a medical curtain to pull across. He asked me to remove all items on my upper body (t-shirt, jacket, bra and necklace) and put my hair up on top of my head (in a bun) - there was a mirror with a shelf on it to keep my necklace and a hair clamp (the kind that you squeeze to open) for my hair. Luckily I had a hairband to use. Then, he asked me to stand in front of the x-ray machine with my chest pressed against it, chin resting on top and moved my arms into a strange position (like your hands ar on your hips, but not quite). He asked me to hold my breathe, then it was over and I could change back into my clothes as he developed the x-ray. He showed me my x-ray on his computer and told me it looked okay and that I could go to the waiting room again. He was really friendly and pleasant, and the experience took around 5-10 minutes.

 

I was in the waiting room until 11:20, when I enquired at reception as I had been waiting for a while. I was told that the doctor was looking at my file and that I was next. I believe I saw Doctor Fong, and she was very pleasant. She apologised for the delay, and explained that she was having problems drawing blood samples due to the cold weather. She went through my paperwork with me and enquired in more detail about my history of mental illness (depression, anxiety and self harm) which I explained to her. She told me I'd need a letter from my GP but said I'd get more info after my test. We moved to the bed where I stood as she asked me to cover one eye and perform an eye test (simple, reading letters off the wall). Before sitting on the bed. She looked in my ears and mouth, and then asked me to change into my gown. Then, she then tested my blood pressure and my heartbeat (front of my chest and back). Then she asked me to stand up and she checked the back of my legs (unsure why), and said we'd be moving to the blood test. She asked how I was with needles and I told her that I wasn't very good with them. I was offered the opportunity to lay down or sit up on the bed (I chose to lay). She tried to draw from my left arm, but was unable to. She asked if she could try in the other arm with me sitting, which I agreed to. She drew the blood and went to write a label. When she came back, I was feeling lightheaded and dizzy, and she said I looked pale. She then moved the pillow to the bottom of the bed (so my feet were elevated above my head) and asked me to lay down for a bit. After a few minutes, she said I looked better and could slowly sit up and get dressed in my own time. Then it was explained that I would see the vaccination nurse next, and that they cannot send off the papers to the embassy until they get my letter from the GP.

 

I returned to the waiting room for another 10 minutes, and was called by the vaccination nurse (12:00). She was very friendly and went through my papers with me. She explained that I'd need 1x MMR booster and 1x influenza vaccines and said that I can get these done at my GP or when I arrive, OR at Knightsbridge for a fee (MMR booster - £50, Influenza - £12). I asked for the vaccinations there, to get it out of the way, and again was asked how I was with needles. She was very helpful in preparing me, and explained the symptoms (achiness and tenderness, feeling hot, headaches) and how to deal with them (lots of fluid, paracetamol if needed) before performing one injection in each arm. She told me when she was going to do something ("I'm just going to touch your arm here now") and told me to take a deep breathe before the injections. Overall, she was very gentle and I had no problems.

 

I returned to the waiting room for another 5 minutes and was called to reception at 12:25. I was given back my passport, and vaccination details and asked for a payment (£365 total). She gave me a letter to give to my GP for the mental illness check, which basically explains that I am seeking to immigrate and that the surgery need information on my general well-being, any treatments and a final ruling with regards to my mental health. She said I need to get the letter from my GP emailed or faxed over, and only after they receive that can they send my papers to the Embassy. She also explained that my blood, urine and x-ray results would come back in around 48 hours, and if there were any issues, they'd get in contact with me/

 

And that was it! Let me know if you have any questions and I'd be glad to answer

Melodie (UK K1 filer)

[Lfx 47]

Thank you for sharing this! I have booked my medical for the 13th of March and reading this has made me feel a little better! It was very helpful  

[Melodica256 158]

1 minute ago, Lfx said:

Thank you for sharing this! I have booked my medical for the 13th of March and reading this has made me feel a little better! It was very helpful  

Glad I can help at least one person! 

Make sure you have ordered your ACRO police background check x

[Lfx 47]

2 minutes ago, Melodica256 said:

Glad I can help at least one person! 

Make sure you have ordered your ACRO police background check x

I have got that  I’m glad that you mentioned the part about anxiety etc. I will have to look in to whether my gp will issue something like this to me.. so grateful (: xx 

[Melodica256 158]

3 minutes ago, Lfx said:

I have got that  I’m glad that you mentioned the part about anxiety etc. I will have to look in to whether my gp will issue something like this to me.. so grateful (: xx 

It's only if it's on your medical papers - on the forms they give you on the day there are some tricky questions:

• Have you ever thought about harming yourself?
• Have you ever acted on these thoughts?
• Have you ever thought about harming others?
• Have you ever acted on these thoughts?

I'd say if you're going for honesty, you can get a letter from your GP prior to the appointment, and it basically needs to say that you are not/no longer a threat to yourself or others. Bring this on the day - if it's not enough then they'd mention it and what else they'd need from your GP but you have to do all the pedal work (ie booking an appointment with the GP)

[Lfx 47]

3 minutes ago, Melodica256 said:

It's only if it's on your medical papers - on the forms they give you on the day there are some tricky questions:

• Have you ever thought about harming yourself?
• Have you ever acted on these thoughts?
• Have you ever thought about harming others?
• Have you ever acted on these thoughts?

I'd say if you're going for honesty, you can get a letter from your GP prior to the appointment, and it basically needs to say that you are not/no longer a threat to yourself or others. Bring this on the day - if it's not enough then they'd mention it and what else they'd need from your GP but you have to do all the pedal work (ie booking an appointment with the GP)

Thank you for the insight in to this. My anxiety is side effect of my heart condition but my GP mentioned it in my “notes”. Never been formally treated for anxiety and it’s not in my active or significant “past records”. My gp letter states that I have not had an issue my heart condition for last 2 years :0. Although I do have other papers from hospital which agree with this as well!  

 

Do you already have an interview date?:) xx 

[Meisha&Jake 869]

Thankyou for your detailed review! Really reassured me with my past mental health history, good luck at your interview!

[theirishman 24]

Hey I received my NOA2 Feb 8th so currently waiting on NVC which hopefully will come back next week some point. Can I ask you both what is the availability currently like for medicals at knightsbridge? My wedding is April 14th so very keen to get all this done asap. I seen @Lfx your appointment isnt until March 13th.. was that by choice or was that the only available time? I want to have my medical asap followed by the interview a week or two later if possible.. Do you guys have any idea on medical and interview availibity? 

Thanks guys 

[Lfx 47]

13 minutes ago, theirishman said:

Hey I received my NOA2 Feb 8th so currently waiting on NVC which hopefully will come back next week some point. Can I ask you both what is the availability currently like for medicals at knightsbridge? My wedding is April 14th so very keen to get all this done asap. I seen @Lfx your appointment isnt until March 13th.. was that by choice or was that the only available time? I want to have my medical asap followed by the interview a week or two later if possible.. Do you guys have any idea on medical and interview availibity? 

Thanks guys 

Hi Irish, I rang today for my appointment. They had appointments on the 6th March (which seemed to be the soonest as they gave me no other option) & the appointment was for 8:50am. The other options I had were the 7th (another early appointment) and then 13th or 14th - which were for 10:30 and 11:30 on each day, so I picked the 11:30am appointment for the 13th as I'm travelling from up North so it takes a few hrs on the train. Try and schedule that 6th March one if you can!!!

[Lfx 47]

18 minutes ago, theirishman said:

Hey I received my NOA2 Feb 8th so currently waiting on NVC which hopefully will come back next week some point. Can I ask you both what is the availability currently like for medicals at knightsbridge? My wedding is April 14th so very keen to get all this done asap. I seen @Lfx your appointment isnt until March 13th.. was that by choice or was that the only available time? I want to have my medical asap followed by the interview a week or two later if possible.. Do you guys have any idea on medical and interview availibity? 

Thanks guys 

As for interview availability, I can go through that with you now... As I actually have it open on my laptop. 

Interview appointments 

6th & 7th March - 10:30am
8th March - 10:30am or 11:30am
12th March - 10:30am or 11:30am
13th March - 10:30am
14th, 15th, 16th March - 10:30am or 11:30am
19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd March - 10:30am or 11:30am.

 

[theirishman 24]

@Lfx thanks for the info on those things.. unfortunately i havent got my nvc case number as were only approved thursday past so ill have to wait to book an appointment until i get that.. Those early March ones are ideal but i imagine by the time I get my nvc number they will be taken.. Glad to see there are still several interview appointments left over March..

[Lfx 47]

Just now, theirishman said:

@Lfx thanks for the info on those things.. unfortunately i havent got my nvc case number as were only approved thursday past so ill have to wait to book an appointment until i get that.. Those early March ones are ideal but i imagine by the time I get my nvc number they will be taken.. Glad to see there are still several interview appointments left over March..

Oh yeah sorry:( we got approved on the 23rd Jan and we got our NVC number on the 31st Jan, they emailed us the letter confirming NVC number a day later.. then it went to Embassy so who knows (: you might have the number soon to book the medical:)

[theirishman 24]

@Lfx so did you guys purposely wait a week or so after your nvc number came to book a medical? As soon as i get that number ill be booking! hopefully those appointments on the 13th/14th will still be available! do you know if thats all they offer or do they open up any more? It doesnt seem like theres an awful lot of options considering the amount of applications.

[Lfx 47]

1 minute ago, theirishman said:

@Lfx so did you guys purposely wait a week or so after your nvc number came to book a medical? As soon as i get that number ill be booking! hopefully those appointments on the 13th/14th will still be available! do you know if thats all they offer or do they open up any more? It doesnt seem like theres an awful lot of options considering the amount of applications.

I waited a week whilst my police certificate arrived (they ask you if you have it whilst attempting to book medical) & I was just waiting for extra documents from my partner & my GP. Not sure if they open extra appointments but might be worth asking them if they have any cancellations to call you? :0. They were super nice on the phone. 

[theirishman 24]

ok cool, I sent away for my police certificate last monday so should be here in a couple days.. my best friend is also getting married in usa on April 6th so im working a tight schedule.. need one of those appointments for an interview the week of the 20th.. I have everything set to go already for medical and interview aside from my police check so im hoping nvc will be here by the end of the week or early next week