Non-UK citizen having lived in the UK for years without having registered for a GP - medical history records required at the official exam?

[ThePaddyWhoLovesR 2]

Hi

I am a German who has lived in the UK for some years. I am generally not too bothered about health stuff (suppose I should be a bit more, generally) but ever since I arrived in the UK I never registered with a GP. Hence I don't have a medical record here. I will be going for my medical at Knightsbridge in London. Now, I have read conflicting stories about needing a "medical history issued by a GP" on forums here. The UK embassy website clearly doesn't list such a requirement. However, I phoned the Knightsbridge surgery a few days ago and they said I needed to register with a GP and needed to get a full medical exam, prior to the full medical exam I will get at the Knightsbridge office, so they have a "clean bill health to show" when I go for the Knightsbridge medical. Is this really required? Anybody know?

[Zoeeeeeee 795]

4 minutes ago, Patrick Speckamp said:

Hi

I am a German who has lived in the UK for some years. I am generally not too bothered about health stuff (suppose I should be a bit more, generally) but ever since I arrived in the UK I never registered with a GP. Hence I don't have a medical record here. I will be going for my medical at Knightsbridge in London. Now, I have read conflicting stories about needing a "medical history issued by a GP" on forums here. The UK embassy website clearly doesn't list such a requirement. However, I phoned the Knightsbridge surgery a few days ago and they said I needed to register with a GP and needed to get a full medical exam, prior to the full medical exam I will get at the Knightsbridge office, so they have a "clean bill health to show" when I go for the Knightsbridge medical. Is this really required? Anybody know?

From reading about this subject a lot on the U.K. forum, I’m fairly confident that yes, the health care summary is required and your medical won’t be processed without it (which is why they’re telling you to go for an opening health check at the doctors I assume, so that they can add you to their books and provide the documents needed).

 

If you’ve called Knightsbridge and they’ve told you that’s what they need, why would you doubt it? That advice has come directly from the horse’s mouth, which is surely the most reliable source?

[ThePaddyWhoLovesR 2]

Thanks for your reply, Zoe. I don't doubt what the person on the phone told me as such, I just have read lots of accounts on here which say that a medical record is not required and they were never asked for it at their medical in the UK (Vaccination records, yes, and if I don't have have them then that's to be discussed with the doctor/nurse, but not a problem as such). The UK embassy website doesn't list it either. And even if I register with a GP now and get a full "check-up", how is that a "medical history"? Just wondering what the point is to that. What they try to establish is if I have chronic diseases/history of mental illness/drug abuse/communicable diseases etc., none of which I have. A "health check-up" done by a GP a few weeks before the one at Knightsbridge will not give them a "medical history"

Edited March 3, 2019 by Patrick Speckamp

[Mother of Moomin 25]

I have very recently had my medical at Knightsbridge and they did indeed ask for my patient/medical summary which they asked to keep.

 

It might not mention it on the UK embassy website but it does on the actual visa medical site : http://www.visamedicals.co.uk/us-bring.htm and in the instructions they send to you once your medical appointment has been booked and confirmed.

 

The process of signing up to a new GP will generate a medical summary/history albeit a short one as it typically includes the results of the simple health check and basic medical questionnaire.

 

 It's not worth the hassle turning up without the required documents as they will most likely hold off processing your medical, which makes an already drawn out process all the more tedious. 

 

Good luck

 

[millefleur 5,035]

**Moved from K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures to the UK regional subforum; question is country specific**

[Wuozopo 4,285]

4 hours ago, ThePaddyWhoLovesR said:

Thanks for your reply, Zoe. I don't doubt what the person on the phone told me as such, I just have read lots of accounts on here which say that a medical record is not required and they were never asked for it at their medical in the UK (Vaccination records, yes, and if I don't have have them then that's to be discussed with the doctor/nurse, but not a problem as such). The UK embassy website doesn't list it either. And even if I register with a GP now and get a full "check-up", how is that a "medical history"? Just wondering what the point is to that. What they try to establish is if I have chronic diseases/history of mental illness/drug abuse/communicable diseases etc., none of which I have. A "health check-up" done by a GP a few weeks before the one at Knightsbridge will not give them a "medical history"

 

I get your point. 

 

The requirement by the clinic in London is only a year or two old. (Did you maybe read older threads or from other countries.)  I don't even think it's an embassy requirement and possibly why they didn't add it to their website. But I think it's the clinic's way of keeping people honest on their medical questionnaire. One can't fail to mention  depression meds if it's on the summary. And I think the receptionist on the phone sounds looney. But then again maybe she has actually been told to say that. You could try speaking to the doctor at your appointment and telling your story and the illogic in what you were told. He has the discretion to carry on without or tell you what he needs. It's really up to you. 

Edited March 3, 2019 by Wuozopo

[Zoeeeeeee 795]

Hey @ThePaddyWhoLovesR, 

 

I think that when you join a GP, they will cross reference to see if you already have an existing medical record when setting up one for you - and if you don’t, that would then demonstrate that for the years you’ve lived here, you’ve had no medical issues (or none that have warranted a doctor’s visit), ie, clean bill of health. I would imagine that Knightsbridge don’t have the access to do that cross-check.

 

Appreciate sounds a bit OTT that she’s told you to get a ‘full medical exam’ - but I think what she’s referring to is the opening appointment that everyone has when they join a new GP surgery - you go in, they weigh you, check your blood pressure, review any past medical records, ask you about smoking and drinking, and review your repeat prescription log. This is done for all new patients. 

 

Obviously for you it’ll be super-quick, as you don’t have any past records etc to review! But yeah, no cause to be alarmed, it’ll be easy and it’s free (well, it is for UK citizens, not quite sure how things like the NHS work for EU citizens - but can’t imagine it’d be expensive, as it’s a very basic appointment.

Edited March 3, 2019 by Zoeeeeeee

[Zoeeeeeee 795]

And I guess that’s the point - if you have any chronic illnesses, you would presumably have a medical record and a history of medication - so the clean, newly created record would demonstrate that you don’t.

 

Only thing I’m wondering about is your records pre-moving to the U.K.? May be worth speaking with your old doctor to see if they can provide you with something (assume they’ll need to provide your vaccination history anyway)?

[LukeU 413]

10 hours ago, ThePaddyWhoLovesR said:

Hi

I am a German who has lived in the UK for some years. I am generally not too bothered about health stuff (suppose I should be a bit more, generally) but ever since I arrived in the UK I never registered with a GP. Hence I don't have a medical record here. I will be going for my medical at Knightsbridge in London. Now, I have read conflicting stories about needing a "medical history issued by a GP" on forums here. The UK embassy website clearly doesn't list such a requirement. However, I phoned the Knightsbridge surgery a few days ago and they said I needed to register with a GP and needed to get a full medical exam, prior to the full medical exam I will get at the Knightsbridge office, so they have a "clean bill health to show" when I go for the Knightsbridge medical. Is this really required? Anybody know?

Hey, I recently had my medical at London (8th Feb) and when booking it they'll email you a list of required documents, I'll paste it below section g:

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

 You are required to bring the following for each person having a medical examination:

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.

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

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).

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

 

 

They did ask me for mine and the doctor went through it with me, as @Zoeeeeeee said above, it maybe worthwhile registering with a GP if you have the time, you won't have a summary as such but could as the doc to write a letter stating the reasoning behind this and it'd show there's nothing of concern.

 

As a few people have mentioned above, the requirement for this just ensures that people aren't just saying they're fine, clear of any history of anything when infact they may have things to be addressed. 

 

 

Edited March 3, 2019 by LukeU

[ThePaddyWhoLovesR 2]

12 hours ago, Halee said:

I have very recently had my medical at Knightsbridge and they did indeed ask for my patient/medical summary which they asked to keep.

 

It might not mention it on the UK embassy website but it does on the actual visa medical site : http://www.visamedicals.co.uk/us-bring.htm and in the instructions they send to you once your medical appointment has been booked and confirmed.

 

The process of signing up to a new GP will generate a medical summary/history albeit a short one as it typically includes the results of the simple health check and basic medical questionnaire.

 

 It's not worth the hassle turning up without the required documents as they will most likely hold off processing your medical, which makes an already drawn out process all the more tedious. 

 

Good luck

 

@Halee Thanks a lot. That makes things clearer.

[ThePaddyWhoLovesR 2]

6 hours ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

And I guess that’s the point - if you have any chronic illnesses, you would presumably have a medical record and a history of medication - so the clean, newly created record would demonstrate that you don’t.

 

Only thing I’m wondering about is your records pre-moving to the U.K.? May be worth speaking with your old doctor to see if they can provide you with something (assume they’ll need to provide your vaccination history anyway)?

@Zoeeeeeee Yes, that makes sense. Thanks a lot. Re. my vaccination records: My pediatrician's clinic in Germany doesn't exist anymore as he is retired. They did start a vaccination book for me which I'd frantically been searching for on my last visit to Germany - no dice...I guess I'll just need to get all the jabs again at the medical...oh well

[ThePaddyWhoLovesR 2]

5 hours ago, LukeU said:

Hey, I recently had my medical at London (8th Feb) and when booking it they'll email you a list of required documents, I'll paste it below section g:

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

 You are required to bring the following for each person having a medical examination:

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.

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

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).

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

 

 

They did ask me for mine and the doctor went through it with me, as @Zoeeeeeee said above, it maybe worthwhile registering with a GP if you have the time, you won't have a summary as such but could as the doc to write a letter stating the reasoning behind this and it'd show there's nothing of concern.

 

As a few people have mentioned above, the requirement for this just ensures that people aren't just saying they're fine, clear of any history of anything when infact they may have things to be addressed. 

 

 

@LukeU Thank you very much - guess I'll do that then

[Zoeeeeeee 795]

35 minutes ago, ThePaddyWhoLovesR said:

@Zoeeeeeee Yes, that makes sense. Thanks a lot. Re. my vaccination records: My pediatrician's clinic in Germany doesn't exist anymore as he is retired. They did start a vaccination book for me which I'd frantically been searching for on my last visit to Germany - no dice...I guess I'll just need to get all the jabs again at the medical...oh well

Nah, don’t get them done in Knightsbridge - will cost you more (I believe it’s around £95 for the full set there) - when you go to the NHS doctor for the opening health check, get them booked in to have them then - they’ll either be free or certainly cheaper than Knightsbridge 🙃.

[LukeU 413]

1 hour ago, ThePaddyWhoLovesR said:

@LukeU Thank you very much - guess I'll do that then

I think it's best to just do that rather than cause yourself any issues. 

 

43 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Nah, don’t get them done in Knightsbridge - will cost you more (I believe it’s around £95 for the full set there) - when you go to the NHS doctor for the opening health check, get them booked in to have them then - they’ll either be free or certainly cheaper than Knightsbridge 🙃.

It depends how you want to do it, if you have the money 100% get them done at Knightsbridge, it's just nicer and easier to have them all certified on the DS-3025 as done there. But if you have the time, get them done at your new shiny GP place. Boots also has a really good immigration/travel vaccination programme if your GP is a little weird about giving you them as I've read some are. 

[Sweetdreaming 384]

I think Boots may cost more than Knightsbridge, hard to find all their prices online, but if it was even close id rather get it done at Knightsbridge.