Medical At Knightsbridge London - K1

[LukeU 413]

So I just thought I'd write up my whole experience regarding the medical from booking this, the paperwork and the actual appointment itself. Which for myself from the moment I booked it seemed to 'trigger' some super nervous, over-thinking part of myself. 

 

I booked my appointment on 9th January, I've heard many of the horror stories of being on hold for hours on end. I was on hold maybe 1.5 hours maximum and booked my appointment for 8th Feb.

 

If I had known what I know now, I would have booked an earlier appointment, I booked it for 14:30 which I don't think is the best time for it. 

 

Once booked you're provided the list of documents and required paperwork to bring with you, and the break down of this is below taken directly from their email:

a. Original Passport or UK Driving Licence (photo card not paper licence)  We do NOT accept copies of ID only certified copies of IDs are valid. We will not be able to conduct the medical if copies are not certified.

b. 4 X Identical Passport style photos - UK or US size  (we accept UK or US sized photographs)

c. ACRO Police certificate (or a copy) dated within the last 12 months for anyone 16 years of age & over (if your police certificate is more than one page long please advise Visa Medicals Ltd ahead of your medical as you may         need additional time with the Doctor. If you fail to tell us ahead of time you may be asked to come back to go over this at an additional fee).

d. Vaccination records - Please provide a vaccination record for the panel to look over on the day to advise if any further vaccines are needed.

Please bring Red Books, if available.

https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/11/vaccine_chart.pdf Please visit the above link to see which vaccines are required for each age group.

e.Completed medical questionnaire which can be found at; https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2017/05/USA-MEDICAL-QUESTIONNAIRE_IV.pdf

f. A Letter/Email from the embassy/NVC to confirm your case number and visa category

g. Summary of medical history from GP (NOT full medical records) and reports covering any medical conditions, disabilities, and prior serious illnesses you have been treated for or anything ongoing. This is a new requirement and may not yet be added to the checklist online or the US EMBASSY LONDON website.

We will keep your medical on hold if you do not have it with you on the day of the appointment.

Ask your GP for a Patient Summary/Care Summary.

h. If you wear glasses or contact lenses please bring them along to the appointment

i.  If you have any significant/ongoing/previous medical conditions (i.e depression/diabetes/hypertension etc) please ensure that you bring a report from your GP/Specialist/Consultant regarding this; including, medication, prognosis, management etc. (this includes conditions such as depression, anxiety, diabetes and hypertension).

* If your medical notes are very extensive (more than 10 pages) please inform Visa Medicals before you come for your medical. This required extra time with the doctor to go through your notes. If you do not inform us of this, you will be charged for an appointment slot for the doctor to read these notes.

Please follow this link; https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/medical-examination/ where you can find all forms required at your medical from the US Embassy website. 

 

I stayed at a hotel which provided free parking, I aren't sure if posting the name is against T&Cs but I can reccomend it. Ubered in to London and out for the appointment which worked ideally for myself.

 

So I arrived early (14:00), reception was pleasant enough and pointed me towards the waiting room and told to return at my appointment time with my paperwork. 

 

14:30,

I head back to the reception and they start going through your paperwork one at a time for them to make photo copies, I had taken 2 sets of copies and the originals with me so this was appreciated by them as it saved any copies being done, they will keep your passport, I'm assuming to get copies and what not.

Given a medical questionnaire which is just a little more indepth than the one in step e. above, all very simple general questions, a red bag with a sample jar for a urine sample, allergins form and a concent form.

I had prepared so thankfully this was an absolute blessing! You can take the sample back to reception at any point, so try to be ready for that part.

 

14:55 

Called in for my chest X-Ray, just asked to take my shirt off and nothing else so that wasn't an issue. I've heard people say they could speak to the person regarding their X-Ray and what not, unfortunately I didn't get to as it seemed really busy (which is why i'd recommend an earlier appointment if possible). I saw it on the screen which was cool but that was it, in and out within 5 minutes. 

 

15:40 

Doctor comes in and calls me through a really nice guy but for the life of me I can't remember his name. Informed will be going through my paperwork and the questionnaires, criminal record (clean) and medical information and if you require a chaperone for the medical.

On the questionnaire (it asks past or present) I had ticked "Cough" because at some point in the past I had had a cough, he laughed and said as long as it hasn't gone on for more than 4 months I'm fine. Asks regarding my asthma, if I have any issues with alcohol/drug abuse, had I been admitted to hospital due to asthma since being diagnosed. Yaddah yaddah. The only thing I flagged up to him, when I get a full blood count my red blood cell count is very high, and he just responded "Oh no that's fine, noting to worry about". (Phew)

Height and weight check followed by an eye test, glasses on and just asked to cover one eye and read a line. 

Taken over to a bed and checked my eyes, ears, throat and glands in my neck. Checks temperature, breathing etc and all the way through every check it's like "That's fine, that's good, fine, that's fine." 

At this point you're going to have your clothes off down to your underwear, for joints/abdominal checks and what not. Blood pressure time now, again "That's fine" which surprised me, as I'm pretty sure I could feel my heart beating outside of my chest. Finally taking a blood sample and told I can get dressed again and to go wait in the waiting room. 

From getting called in, to back in the waiting room was maybe 15 minutes. 

 

16:00 

Nurse pops through and calls me to reception and that's it. All done.

I had given my vaccination records over and they'd gone through them all and I was all up to date. They handed me a DOS form 3025 which has all of my vaccinations on them for the Adjustment of Status Process. Advised should anything be up, they'll contact me generally within 3-4 working days, if not then it's all good and to leave at least 7 days between Medical & Interview.

Then the most painful part of this whole process, paying! Flat medical fee though as all vaccinations were up to date so a quick £330 later and out the door. Another step closer.

 

TLDR: Really smooth process, don't panic, it's not half as invasive as I first thought. I just worried and worried for weeks. 

 

If anyone has any questions I don't mind trying to help out and I'm sorry for the huge wall of text above 🙂

Edited February 10, 2019 by LukeU

[Zoeeeeeee 795]

8 hours ago, LukeU said:

So I just thought I'd write up my whole experience regarding the medical from booking this, the paperwork and the actual appointment itself. Which for myself from the moment I booked it seemed to 'trigger' some super nervous, over-thinking part of myself. 

 

I booked my appointment on 9th January, I've heard many of the horror stories of being on hold for hours on end. I was on hold maybe 1.5 hours maximum and booked my appointment for 8th Feb.

 

If I had known what I know now, I would have booked an earlier appointment, I booked it for 14:30 which I don't think is the best time for it. 

 

Once booked you're provided the list of documents and required paperwork to bring with you, and the break down of this is below taken directly from their email:

a. Original Passport or UK Driving Licence (photo card not paper licence)  We do NOT accept copies of ID only certified copies of IDs are valid. We will not be able to conduct the medical if copies are not certified.

b. 4 X Identical Passport style photos - UK or US size  (we accept UK or US sized photographs)

c. ACRO Police certificate (or a copy) dated within the last 12 months for anyone 16 years of age & over (if your police certificate is more than one page long please advise Visa Medicals Ltd ahead of your medical as you may         need additional time with the Doctor. If you fail to tell us ahead of time you may be asked to come back to go over this at an additional fee).

d. Vaccination records - Please provide a vaccination record for the panel to look over on the day to advise if any further vaccines are needed.

Please bring Red Books, if available.

https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/11/vaccine_chart.pdf Please visit the above link to see which vaccines are required for each age group.

e.Completed medical questionnaire which can be found at; https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2017/05/USA-MEDICAL-QUESTIONNAIRE_IV.pdf

f. A Letter/Email from the embassy/NVC to confirm your case number and visa category

g. Summary of medical history from GP (NOT full medical records) and reports covering any medical conditions, disabilities, and prior serious illnesses you have been treated for or anything ongoing. This is a new requirement and may not yet be added to the checklist online or the US EMBASSY LONDON website.

We will keep your medical on hold if you do not have it with you on the day of the appointment.

Ask your GP for a Patient Summary/Care Summary.

h. If you wear glasses or contact lenses please bring them along to the appointment

i.  If you have any significant/ongoing/previous medical conditions (i.e depression/diabetes/hypertension etc) please ensure that you bring a report from your GP/Specialist/Consultant regarding this; including, medication, prognosis, management etc. (this includes conditions such as depression, anxiety, diabetes and hypertension).

* If your medical notes are very extensive (more than 10 pages) please inform Visa Medicals before you come for your medical. This required extra time with the doctor to go through your notes. If you do not inform us of this, you will be charged for an appointment slot for the doctor to read these notes.

Please follow this link; https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/medical-examination/ where you can find all forms required at your medical from the US Embassy website. 

 

I stayed at a hotel which provided free parking, I aren't sure if posting the name is against T&Cs but I can reccomend it. Ubered in to London and out for the appointment which worked ideally for myself.

 

So I arrived early (14:00), reception was pleasant enough and pointed me towards the waiting room and told to return at my appointment time with my paperwork. 

 

14:30,

I head back to the reception and they start going through your paperwork one at a time for them to make photo copies, I had taken 2 sets of copies and the originals with me so this was appreciated by them as it saved any copies being done, they will keep your passport, I'm assuming to get copies and what not.

Given a medical questionnaire which is just a little more indepth than the one in step e. above, all very simple general questions, a red bag with a sample jar for a urine sample, allergins form and a concent form.

I had prepared so thankfully this was an absolute blessing! You can take the sample back to reception at any point, so try to be ready for that part.

 

14:55 

Called in for my chest X-Ray, just asked to take my shirt off and nothing else so that wasn't an issue. I've heard people say they could speak to the person regarding their X-Ray and what not, unfortunately I didn't get to as it seemed really busy (which is why i'd recommend an earlier appointment if possible). I saw it on the screen which was cool but that was it, in and out within 5 minutes. 

 

15:40 

Doctor comes in and calls me through a really nice guy but for the life of me I can't remember his name. Informed will be going through my paperwork and the questionnaires, criminal record (clean) and medical information and if you require a chaperone for the medical.

On the questionnaire (it asks past or present) I had ticked "Cough" because at some point in the past I had had a cough, he laughed and said as long as it hasn't gone on for more than 4 months I'm fine. Asks regarding my asthma, if I have any issues with alcohol/drug abuse, had I been admitted to hospital due to asthma since being diagnosed. Yaddah yaddah. The only thing I flagged up to him, when I get a full blood count my red blood cell count is very high, and he just responded "Oh no that's fine, noting to worry about". (Phew)

Height and weight check followed by an eye test, glasses on and just asked to cover one eye and read a line. 

Taken over to a bed and checked my eyes, ears, throat and glands in my neck. Checks temperature, breathing etc and all the way through every check it's like "That's fine, that's good, fine, that's fine." 

At this point you're going to have your clothes off down to your underwear, for joints/abdominal checks and what not. Blood pressure time now, again "That's fine" which surprised me, as I'm pretty sure I could feel my heart beating outside of my chest. Finally taking a blood sample and told I can get dressed again and to go wait in the waiting room. 

From getting called in, to back in the waiting room was maybe 15 minutes. 

 

16:00 

Nurse pops through and calls me to reception and that's it. All done.

I had given my vaccination records over and they'd gone through them all and I was all up to date. They handed me a DOS form 3025 which has all of my vaccinations on them for the Adjustment of Status Process. Advised should anything be up, they'll contact me generally within 3-4 working days, if not then it's all good and to leave at least 7 days between Medical & Interview.

Then the most painful part of this whole process, paying! Flat medical fee though as all vaccinations were up to date so a quick £330 later and out the door. Another step closer.

 

TLDR: Really smooth process, don't panic, it's not half as invasive as I first thought. I just worried and worried for weeks. 

 

If anyone has any questions I don't mind trying to help out and I'm sorry for the huge wall of text above 🙂

It’s great to read such a detailed description - obviously I’ll still worry until the day I’ve done it (that applies to all steps in this process), but it’s very reassuring to hear that it was fairly painless for you 🙌.

[LukeU 413]

1 minute ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

It’s great to read such a detailed description - obviously I’ll still worry until the day I’ve done it (that applies to all steps in this process), but it’s very reassuring to hear that it was fairly painless for you 🙌.

I maybe ranted on a little too much, but I was so thankful to read reviews before I went for my appointment. 

Like you say, you're still going to think the what ifs, worry for the worst outcome like I did for weeks on end. But it really is just like a check over for when you go to a new doctors 🙂 

 

I hope yours goes as smoothly! Here's to hoping after we leave there we don't hear from them again! 😄

[Zoeeeeeee 795]

36 minutes ago, LukeU said:

I maybe ranted on a little too much, but I was so thankful to read reviews before I went for my appointment. 

Like you say, you're still going to think the what ifs, worry for the worst outcome like I did for weeks on end. But it really is just like a check over for when you go to a new doctors 🙂 

 

I hope yours goes as smoothly! Here's to hoping after we leave there we don't hear from them again! 😄

Oh hell no, I’d much rather have details about everything, there’s no such thing as ranting too much when it comes to this process (in my opinion). Expecting to do my medical in May-June, so plenty of worrying-time ahead of me! 😫

[LukeU 413]

8 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Oh hell no, I’d much rather have details about everything, there’s no such thing as ranting too much when it comes to this process (in my opinion). Expecting to do my medical in May-June, so plenty of worrying-time ahead of me! 😫

Don't do it (pretty rich coming from me). Just check your vaccines, get what you can off of the NHS. You won't require a flu shot if you're aiming for May/June time so that's one off the list already! 

Edited February 10, 2019 by LukeU

[bucksy 14]

I'll add another option, if an easy life trumps the cost, is get the vaccines done at the medical.

It cost me 90 quid to get Tet, Dip, and MMR, which although 90 is 90 quid, for me it was better than trying to work out what I actually needed, since my Mam was convinced I had had MMR, despite the fact I'm 40 and it didn't exist in the UK until 1988 (that's what the nurse said).

It just means that you won't get there and it turns out you still need a Rabies shot.

I suppose this is less relevant for people in their 20s who will need less shots. (If your Tet / Dip is over 10 years ago you need that again for example).

 

Also, unless you are constrained by travel plans for some reason book the EARLIEST appointment of the day for everything.

 

A). The staff won't have yet dealt with the "customer" from hell. At some point every day, someone is going to be a total moron. Go in when the staff are fresh and not thinking "Pub time in an hour".

B). There's less chance of delays because delays are cumulative. If everyone over-runs by 5 minutes, by 3pm, that's added up to a serious delay.

 

My medical was 9am. I was back on the street an hour later.

My interview was 9am. I was back to the tube by 10.

 

Edited February 11, 2019 by bucksy

[LukeU 413]

16 minutes ago, bucksy said:

I'll add another option, if an easy life trumps the cost, is get the vaccines done at the medical.

It cost me 90 quid to get Tet, Dip, and MMR, which although 90 is 90 quid, for me it was better than trying to work out what I actually needed, since my Mam was convinced I had had MMR, despite the fact I'm 40 and it didn't exist in the UK until 1988 (that's what the nurse said).

It just means that you won't get there and it turns out you still need a Rabies shot.

I suppose this is less relevant for people in their 20s who will need less shots. (If your Tet / Dip is over 10 years ago you need that again for example).

 

Also, unless you are constrained by travel plans for some reason book the EARLIEST appointment of the day for everything.

 

A). The staff won't have yet dealt with the "customer" from hell. At some point every day, someone is going to be a total moron. Go in when the staff are fresh and not thinking "Pub time in an hour".

 B). There's less chance of delays because delays are cumulative. If everyone over-runs by 5 minutes, by 3pm, that's added up to a serious delay.

  

My medical was 9am. I was back on the street an hour later.

My interview was 9am. I was back to the tube by 10.

 

Absolutely agree with you there. It does make sense and just have everything done there on the spot, but thankfully I'd had time to research it to double check my vaccinations. 

 

I couldn't agree more, always go for the earlier appointment. The doctor when I was there just seemed done in, I'm sure from the small pieces of conversation I picked up on there were lots of a specific families documents which were incorrectly filled in due to a language barrier. 

 

Thanks for the interview timescale, I'll be aiming for the 9 or 9:30 am slot also and means I can get back on the road for the 4-5 Hour drive back up north, hopefully with a huge smile on my face! 

[bucksy 14]

The difference even between 9 and 9:30 was quite stark. At 9 I was straight in, but there was already a queue of people to one side for the 9:30. And as I was leaving the 10 / 10:30 queues were huge.

If you're coming from t'north then maybe grab a cheapo premier inn and stay over. Then you're not knackered on the day as well.

The one at Wembley Park near my flat can sometimes be as cheap as 30 quid and parking there is a fiver. I just checked a few dates and 1st March is 40 quid for example. Then you're straight on jubilee line down to Green Park for Victoria line to Vauxhall.  There's other places too like Harrow or Edgware.

[LukeU 413]

4 minutes ago, bucksy said:

The difference even between 9 and 9:30 was quite stark. At 9 I was straight in, but there was already a queue of people to one side for the 9:30. And as I was leaving the 10 / 10:30 queues were huge.

If you're coming from t'north then maybe grab a cheapo premier inn and stay over. Then you're not knackered on the day as well.

The one at Wembley Park near my flat can sometimes be as cheap as 30 quid and parking there is a fiver. I just checked a few dates and 1st March is 40 quid for example. Then you're straight on jubilee line down to Green Park for Victoria line to Vauxhall.  There's other places too like Harrow or Edgware.

That's a bargain for sure! I stayed at SO Archway which ended up being around £15 in an Uber for the medical. I'll be looking at a March 11th appointment should they release them soon enough. Drive down the Sunday and stay over. But I'll definitely take a look at Wembley Park premier Inn as that's a steal, thank you! 

[bucksy 14]

I always recommend it to friends and family because WP is so well connected - met and jubilee line right next to the hotel. Like when there's a concert at O2, you can pay a fortune to stay in Greenwhich or pay for PI at WP and then take the tube directly in 20 minutes.

[LukeU 413]

Just now, bucksy said:

I always recommend it to friends and family because WP is so well connected - met and jubilee line right next to the hotel. Like when there's a concert at O2, you can pay a fortune to stay in Greenwhich or pay for PI at WP and then take the tube directly in 20 minutes.

Time to start researching the tube lines then I guess. Definitely will be staying over for it to make it as easy as possible 

[bucksy 14]

Any questions just ask, I live and work in London.

[Kate&Jason 24]

Hello! Great post!! 😁

 

just One question: 

 

did you get a drs note for your asthma? I’m trying to think what actually needs a note on my behalf or is the medical summary enough? 

 

Thanks 😁

[LukeU 413]

24 minutes ago, Kate&Jason said:

Hello! Great post!! 😁

 

just One question: 

 

did you get a drs note for your asthma? I’m trying to think what actually needs a note on my behalf or is the medical summary enough? 

 

Thanks 😁

I requested my last asthma summary (which was from 2007 or maybe 2008), the doc doing the medical saw it and laughed that it was so old.

 

I'd recommend a note for your asthma if you can, I think it's much better to have the information there for them and them not need it rather than not having it and needing it.

 

Asked if I had been admitted to hospital due to asthma (other than when I had it), if it effects my life etc, he was very nonchalant regarding it.

[MLR14 37]

On 2/11/2019 at 6:51 AM, bucksy said:

The difference even between 9 and 9:30 was quite stark. At 9 I was straight in, but there was already a queue of people to one side for the 9:30. And as I was leaving the 10 / 10:30 queues were huge.

If you're coming from t'north then maybe grab a cheapo premier inn and stay over. Then you're not knackered on the day as well.

The one at Wembley Park near my flat can sometimes be as cheap as 30 quid and parking there is a fiver. I just checked a few dates and 1st March is 40 quid for example. Then you're straight on jubilee line down to Green Park for Victoria line to Vauxhall.  There's other places too like Harrow or Edgware.

Must have been a busy day! My appointment was at 11, I tried my luck at 10.15 and was let straight in. I was approved and on my way by 10.45.