Contacting Knightsbridge to book your medical

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

Hi everyone,

 

I called Knightsbridge yesterday and thought I’d share this, for anyone else wanting to book quite far in advance, to save you ringing and waiting to get through for a long time (my wait was about 45 minutes).

 

Firstly, the number to call is 020 7486 7822. 

 

And secondly, I asked about booking an appointment in July and was told they open the bookings for each month in the previous month, a couple of weeks in. So, to book a July appointment, I need to call in the second week in June (well, that’s the earliest I can call).

 

Hope this helps! 🙃

[ConnorS 85]

Oh I called yesterday too at 11am and got through straight away 😂🤪

 

Oh and it's option 1 for US visas 😄

[Carl. 45]

9 hours ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Hi everyone,

 

I called Knightsbridge yesterday and thought I’d share this, for anyone else wanting to book quite far in advance, to save you ringing and waiting to get through for a long time (my wait was about 45 minutes).

 

Firstly, the number to call is 020 7486 7822. 

 

And secondly, I asked about booking an appointment in July and was told they open the bookings for each month in the previous month, a couple of weeks in. So, to book a July appointment, I need to call in the second week in June (well, that’s the earliest I can call).

 

Hope this helps! 🙃

so you didn't book it?

Edited May 23, 2019 by Carl.

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

1 hour ago, Carl. said:

so you didn't book it?

Nope! I can’t emigrate before November, so can’t have my medical too early,  or it’ll expire. Want to have it at the end of July, then have my interview in mid-September, so I’m ready to go on 19th November 🙃. I’m just excited that it’s finally progressing, so want to book it now! #eagerbeaver

[Carl. 45]

6 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Nope! I can’t emigrate before November, so can’t have my medical too early,  or it’ll expire. Want to have it at the end of July, then have my interview in mid-September, so I’m ready to go on 19th November 🙃. I’m just excited that it’s finally progressing, so want to book it now! #eagerbeaver

it will be here before you know it

[Wuozopo 4,285]

10 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Nope! I can’t emigrate before November, so can’t have my medical too early,  or it’ll expire. Want to have it at the end of July, then have my interview in mid-September, so I’m ready to go on 19th November 🙃. I’m just excited that it’s finally progressing, so want to book it now! #eagerbeaver

Zoeeeeeeee--people probably can't get their head around you slowing it down because most are in a rush to jump the queue, press on, and hop the first plane they can. I waited two months myself after the visa was received. I had to give a month's notice at work. Then I wanted a month of being unemployed to sell two cars and other things, get rid of things, and pack a lifetime of stuff that meant something to me. Of course my fiancé was so anxious to get me here,  but she understood I needed the time. Luckily she "gets me" and my ways. We've had a wonderful 10 years together already. I like your thoughtful plans you've made and your backup plan. More complicated, but suits your needs and that's what's important. 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

1 hour ago, Wuozopo said:

Zoeeeeeeee--people probably can't get their head around you slowing it down because most are in a rush to jump the queue, press on, and hop the first plane they can. I waited two months myself after the visa was received. I had to give a month's notice at work. Then I wanted a month of being unemployed to sell two cars and other things, get rid of things, and pack a lifetime of stuff that meant something to me. Of course my fiancé was so anxious to get me here,  but she understood I needed the time. Luckily she "gets me" and my ways. We've had a wonderful 10 years together already. I like your thoughtful plans you've made and your backup plan. More complicated, but suits your needs and that's what's important. 

I know, I do feel like a bit of an oddity at times 😆!

 

If it had been a year or two ago, I’d probably be in the same boat, re wanting to push through everything as quickly as possible - but back then my dog could fly, so a last minute plane flight would’ve been viable (well, as last minute as you can be with a dog, having their vaccinations, paperwork etc sorted)...I would’ve always given a month’s notice though, regardless of how in a rush, as I love my job and respect my colleagues...and I know I have a glowing review waiting for me when I need it, when I’m finally able to start job hunting in America.

 

I’m also finding this waiting time oddly peaceful and dare I say...nice. I know that sounds insane, and I miss my fiancé very much - but it’s nice to have the time to be able to plan stuff, be picky with dates etc (hence me calling up now to book a July medical, as I’ve decided I want a Tuesday afternoon, end of July appointment, so figure I need to book well in advance to get my ideal slot), sort through my stuff methodically...and it’s really nice to spend loads of quality time with my family and friends. And of course, never having to bother checking my CEAC status is great, as everyone seems to stress over it a lot...we just forgot about and let it do it’s thing - we then were both pleasantly surprised by the NVC’s email to let us know our case was on it’s way to London. 🙃

 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

1 hour ago, Carl. said:

it will be here before you know it

It definitely will - time is going crazily fast at the mo as I’m busy at work - it feels like only a couple of days ago that we were saying “7 months until emigration”...but now it’s less than 6 months 😮😮

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

Just an update to this - called to book as it’s now the second week of June and got my first choice slot of 3:30 on Friday 26th, which means I can take advantage of off peak train fare, have a nice lie on on Friday (train departure is at 12pm) and get home by 9:30pm (but booked for a Friday, so no work the next day). Have booked my train tickets too 🙃.

 

I’ve got my ACRO and a letter from my diabetes specialist, so going to call my doctors today to arrange my health care summary and vaccination record (and enquire about a letter re my anaemia and hypothyroidism) - and then I’m ready to go (well, apart from getting passport photos done)! 🙃

[Carl. 45]

 

1 minute ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Just an update to this - called to book as it’s now the second week of June and got my first choice slot of 3:30 on Friday 26th, which means I can take advantage of off peak train fare, have a nice lie on on Friday (train departure is at 12pm) and get home by 9:30pm (but booked for a Friday, so no work the next day). Have booked my train tickets too 🙃.

 

I’ve got my ACRO and a letter from my diabetes specialist, so going to call my doctors today to arrange my health care summary and vaccination record (and enquire about a letter re my anaemia and hypothyroidism) - and then I’m ready to go (well, apart from getting passport photos done)! 🙃

That's great. Soon be here 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

So, just been to collect my summary care record and my vaccinations record. 

 

Correct me if I’m wrong, but do I need a pertussis vaccination also? There isn’t one in my history, but the nurse and doctor I saw last month were both adamant that I’d now had everything I need (they gave me an MMR jab last month). Just wondering if I need to book in for a pertussis shot and if this is something that can be done at an NHS doctors?

 

 

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

1 minute ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

So, just been to collect my summary care record and my vaccinations record. 

 

Correct me if I’m wrong, but do I need a pertussis vaccination also? There isn’t one in my history, but the nurse and doctor I saw last month were both adamant that I’d now had everything I need (they gave me an MMR jab last month). Just wondering if I need to book in for a pertussis shot and if this is something that can be done at an NHS doctors?

 

 

In other news, I’m feeling very confident that I’m safe from Diptheria, Polio and Tetanus. Apparently I get jabs for that all the time 😆😆.

[Wuozopo 4,285]

8 hours ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

In other news, I’m feeling very confident that I’m safe from Diptheria, Polio and Tetanus. Apparently I get jabs for that all the time 😆😆.

Theoretically, you have no pertussis listed. I kinda suspect the visa clinic has been letting that slide and sign off on it. Maybe because they don't offer it anymore. But somebody the other day said they got marked for choosing to get vax later instead of completed requirements for AOS. All I could see missing on his was pertussis. The person posting didn't know what they told him. And your AOS Interviewer might notice. 

 

When I had the medical ages ago, they were very strict. Told me I must have pertussis, even though my GP said I was good to go. I went back to the GP and got a DTP which is the pediatric version. The GP faxed it back to Knightsbridge and I was good to go. They mailed me the updated DS-3025. The adult version is Tdap. Lower case letters means smaller dose of diptheria and pertussis.  The brand names are Boostrix or Adacel for Tdap and I don't know if the U.K. even gets those. I had no reaction to the stronger DTP and my GP wasn't bothered that it's not recommended for adults.

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

10 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Theoretically, you have no pertussis listed. I kinda suspect the visa clinic has been letting that slide and sign off on it. Maybe because they don't offer it anymore. But somebody the other day said they got marked for choosing to get vax later instead of completed requirements for AOS. All I could see missing on his was pertussis. The person posting didn't know what they told him. And your AOS Interviewer might notice. 

 

When I had the medical ages ago, they were very strict. Told me I must have pertussis, even though my GP said I was good to go. I went back to the GP and got a DTP which is the pediatric version. The GP faxed it back to Knightsbridge and I was good to go. They mailed me the updated DS-3025. The adult version is Tdap. Lower case letters means smaller dose of diptheria and pertussis.  The brand names are Boostrix or Adacel for Tdap and I don't know if the U.K. even gets those. I had no reaction to the stronger DTP and my GP wasn't bothered that it's not recommended for adults.

Meh! Oh well, back to the doctors for me then - at least I have plenty of time to get that final jab - it’s just pertussis I’m missing I believe?

 

If they won’t do it, I wonder if Boots will?

 

If not, I’m not leaving Knightsbridge without that jab and without my form being signed off! 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Meh! Oh well, back to the doctors for me then - at least I have plenty of time to get that final jab - it’s just pertussis I’m missing I believe?

 

If they won’t do it, I wonder if Boots will?

 

If not, I’m not leaving Knightsbridge without that jab and without my form being signed off! 

Ask at your GP if there is anything that got left off your list because as well immunized as you are, surely you got pertussis as an infant. A lot in the UK get diptheria/tetanus/pertussis/+polio (quadvalent meaning 4 in 1) as normal childhood jabs. 

 

If that fails, ask what they can give you. The stronger DTP was found to adversely affect people over about age 10 so Tdap was developed. I've seen jab forms refer to it as "low dosage" diptheria/tetanus/pertussis. It all counts for immigration and doesn't have to be the exact American terminology Tdap. I was literally lined up with babies waiting for my DTP. There had been a shortage and when they got some, they called everybody to say come in.