Julia & Aaron
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Posts posted by Julia & Aaron
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2 hours ago, Dragonsarereal said:
Thank you. I went to my GP yesterday. I had asked a YEAR ago for my vaccine records and still they had not printed them. So they did that, finally and while I was there I Asked about the letter, quoting 'summary' and the receptionist kept saying, 'We don't understand what it means, give us a LIST with specific things to talk about' (and the letter costs £26!) I guess I will tell them what you guys said. I emailed the London doctors and they flat out refused to give me any explanations, (On 2 more items as well) saying I can ask for them when I 'call to book the appointment' by which time it will be far too late....
I'll also try see if I have my copy saved still and attach it here. I'll have to do that tomorrow though
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24 minutes ago, Dragonsarereal said:2 minutes ago, Julia & Aaron said:
That's unusual that your GP doesn't know.
It was just a summary of medications, allergies and any significant medical issues (mainly therapy referrals and antibiotics for me)
Maybe book an appointment with your GP and see if they can find/print some kind of summary?
Good luck!
Perhaps explain that it usually has medications, allergies and a summary of key medical events from your notes. They might call it something else.
Sometimes speaking to a GP or practice manager is easier. My GP gave me what I needed when the receptionist didn't
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19 minutes ago, Dragonsarereal said:
That's unusual that your GP doesn't know.
It was just a summary of medications, allergies and any significant medical issues (mainly therapy referrals and antibiotics for me)
Maybe book an appointment with your GP and see if they can find/print some kind of summary?
Good luck!
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10 hours ago, beeldn12 said:
My fiance is also worried about having a history of depression. No self harm or hospitalizations or anything like that. His GP is horrendous and we've been battling to get an appointment to get this letter but I'm not optimistic. How was your experience without one? Is it just a conversation about how your mental health is currently?
Really appreciate any insight.
I know @TheGreatHBh didn't have a report, he might be able to help?
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2 hours ago, Vickys_Mom said:
Belt and suspenders. Always have a copy of everything you're "leaving" in another country. It makes it easier than having to try and get it back from another country.
I'm in the US, so I can't speak to NHS. If I switch doctors here and the new doctor's system is not compatible with the old doctor's system, someone has to push the data from the old to the new. Some of the systems are so far out of touch with each other that it becomes a paper-based transfer. (It does make you decide how badly you want to leave one doctor for another when that's a part of the price you pay.)
Regards,
Vicky's Mom
Thank you, I intend to have some kind of copy.
I realised after posting this it makes more sense to print my own records from the online system, as that's what they'll do anyway. Saves me money too!
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2 minutes ago, wzrd said:
I can not tell you enough how useful this is. Thank you.
Question about your GP's statement. Is it an original document or a scanned copy with a visible signature?
No problem, I understand how important it is to have this information.
The letter was the original. I scanned a copy for my future records though
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I had my interview on the 22nd and my passport is due to arrive on the 29th, a week exactly for us. It's may take longer depending on holidays, location etc.
We have flights already booked (assuming this would take longer) on the 27th September but American Airlines has the option to change for a fee/the difference in flight price so we're going for that route (even if I won't be on the return, it's just cheaper)
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Everything went well at my interview and now I'm putting some final logistics into place.
My main concern is what to do with my NHS records. Obviously it's good practice to have them for future insurance purposes etc.
I have access to records on the NHS app and via my GP's online system. Would a copy from these suffice in the future? Or should I put a subject access request in to my GP?
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9 hours ago, Moon_child said:
@Julia & Aaron I’m kind of in the same situation as you at the moment we’re I’m getting stuff together for my past medical history would you be able too give a brief description and of what your doctors letter was like I.e what they put as in did they include self harm in it did they include dates ect ect I’m currently freaking out over the whole process lol even though I haven’t been on any medication for 5 years and I had a brief medical check up and the nurse who did it thinks I’m completely fine now I’m still freaking out over past self harm 😩
Totally understandable that you're nervous but they were very relaxed about it and spoke casually about it to me (it's not police interrogation, don't worry)
Although, I would say don't give more information than you need to. Keep the appointment quick for yourself, they just want to know you're not hurting yourself now and that you're not going to hurt anyone else.
This is the main wording of the letter from my GP:
My GP surgery just said I should drop in a letter asking for exactly what I need. I was advised to ask for: a brief history of the issue (including how self harm occured and any attempts at your life), what treatment occured, what my mental health is like now and that it must include wording that states you are "not a harm to self or others". My GP asked me to complete a generic depression/anxiety survey to confirm my current mental health.
Hope that helps, if you can get a letter form your GP covering those things, you'll be absolutely fine 🙂
- Chancy and Moon_child
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1 hour ago, Cimira said:
Hello Julia and Aaron
Thank you so much for this update, it made it easier for us who haven’t done thier Medicals. But please did you schedule your visa interview appointment or the Embassy scheduled themselves?… please looking forward to your reply
I scheduled the interview myself. The instructions letter I received said to attend the medical and then book the interview. There's a web link on the letter that tells you where to make the booking. They had appointments about 2 weeks in advance
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2 hours ago, Mary J said:
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience. It's very helpful.
Just to ask, about the Police Certificate, how long did it take for you to get it? And did you apply for it by sending them an email? It's just that I didn't receive any confirmation from them that they received my request. I feel like I'm left hanging without any updates. It said on their website as well that they discourage emailing for updates since it might delay the processing of the certificate.
Hoping to hear back from you soon. Thank you!
I applied for mine during the whole cyber attack thing by sending the form via email on 12/05.
I got a confirmation email on 26/05 and it was shipped to me on 02/06 :)
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58 minutes ago, TheGreatHB said:
Hey It was great meeting you that day! I just wanted to post something similar about how I was going in with the worry of this being some kind of horror day when in fact everyone was wonderful, sweet and kind and full of questions both making conversation to ease the tension and for the purpose of the visa.
I had been worried about my mental health history being a red flag with all of the horror stories online and I didn't even have documentation but after talking about it was told it would not affect my case.
So yeah hoping going forward that anyone who attends sees that this experience is just fine! Although I still have the bruise from having blood taken 😂
I'm really glad it went well for you! I was thinking about it on the way home and I was wondering if you'd be on these forums too, haha. Best of luck with everything else going forward!
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I thought it would be useful to post a review of my appointment at Visa Medicals in London on 4th August 2023. I found it hard to find recent ones and hopefully this'll calm someone else's nerves!
I waited until I had my instructions letter from the embassy before calling to book my appointment. There was a relatively short wait on the phone (better than calling my GP) and I was offered an appointment within a few days. Forgetting that I was still waiting for a letter from my GP and that it was the weekend, I had to call and reschedule for later the same week. The lady on the phone laughed when I said I got over excited.
I received a confirmation email with instructions like where it is, documents to bring and booking translators (if applicable)
I arrived at Bond St very early. Killed a couple hours in Leon, found Bentinck Street and had a wander. My appointment was at 11:10am, pressed the buzzer at 11:05am. The email suggests a one in, one out situation. That isn't the case and is probably left over from COVID era. I was worried I was going to be told off for buzzing 5 minutes early, no one even spoke on the intercom, they just let me in.
Visa Medicals is the first door on your right when you come in.
The lady on reception asked for my name and 'all the documents we asked you to bring' which threw me a bit. It's probably a good idea to have everything ready to go in one bundle, not in well organised seperate sections of a folder like I did. I think I excepted the doctor to be asking for the reports and vaccination records, not the receptionist. This is what I gave over:
- My passport
- 4 US sized visa photos (Snappy Snaps can do US sized photos, it was ~£35 for 8 photos)
- A copy of my ACRO police certificate
- A copy of the first page of the instructions letter form the embassy with my LND number and visa category
- Summary care record from my GP
- Vaccination records from my GP
- COVID pass from the NHS app
- Hep B vaccination proof
- Medical questionairre
- A letter from my GP outlining past mental health issues, treatments and current mental health status (because I ticked yes to self harm)
- A discharge letter form a surgery I had in 2016 (because I ticked yes to hospitalization)
Note, you do not get these back (except your passport) so make copies for your own records and keep the original ACRO and embassy letter for yourself.
Here's how the email words the documents required:
Quote- REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
You are required to bring the following for each person having a medical examination:
- Original Passport – Must be valid/in date
We do NOT accept copies of ID only certified copies of passports are valid. We will not be able to conduct the medical if copies are not OFFICIALLY certified.
- 4 X Recent 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 24 months for anyone 16 years of age & over (if your ACRO police certificate is more than one page long YOU MUST 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 the 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://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/Vaccine-Requirements-According-to-Applicant-Age-p.pdf 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.
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 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, learning difficulties and hypertension).
* If your medical notes are very extensive (more than 10 pages) please inform Visa Medicals before you come for your medical. This requires 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 NOTE: If the Doctor feels additional reports/information is needed to complete your medical we will not send anything to the embassy until this has been received, which may cause delays to your application.
PLEASE NOTE IF YOU ARE HIV+ YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM THE CLINIC IN ADVANCE OF YOUR APPOINTMENT AS THERE WILL BE ADDITONAL SCREENING NEEDED.
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 was sent into the waiting room with two more yes/no questionairres to fill out. The first was very basic and asked questions related to allergies, steroids/immunosuppresants and pregnancy. Anything I ticked yes to, I put a note underneath explaining why.
The second was more detailed (and very confusing because yes/no swapped places). These are the questions I can remember:
- Have you had an injury or illness that required hospitalization?
- Multiple questions on different types of heart/thyroid/kidney/liver diseases
- Have you ever taken recreational drugs?
- Multiple questions about substance abuse, related conditions and criminal record due to substance abuse
- Have you ever had thoughts of harming yourself? Have you ever acted on those thoughts?
- Have you ever had thoughts of harming others? Have you ever acted on those thoughts?
- Current medications (I also listed non-prescribed hayfever tablets and multivitamins)
- Any other medical conditions that required treatment? (I put yes - vitamin D deficiency, treated via daily supplements)
Someone then called me through to take a chest x-ray. No need to remove my piercings (nipple included) and sent me back to the waiting room.
A few minutes later a doctor called Michaela called me through. She was extremely friendly and I felt at ease with her. We discussed some of the questions I had ticked yes to like why I had surgery and what methods I used for self harm in the past. She repeated some of the questions to me directly, particularly about drug use and harming others. She told me that the US is very keen to ask these questions due to the availability of guns and the risk of gun violence. I had an additional report on my mental health from my last counsellor, so she took that from me as all evidence is good evidence.
The rest of the exam was height, weight, vision, ears and mouth. Then I was asked to undress to underwear and socks and drape a gown over my lower half whilst on the bench. Here she took my blood pressure, took a blood sample for syphillis, listened to my heart and lungs, bent my knees around to check for pain and pressed different areas of my stomach. No urine sample was taken due to my age (27) and no past STDs.
I have a scoliosis in my spine, which she noticed and asked if it caused back pain (it doesn't) and that was that.
She sent me back into the waiting room while a nurse checked my vaccinations. I didn't need anything done as I'd had my DTaP booster at my GP recently and I'd already had Hep B vaccinations for work reasons in the past. They can do them for you but it may be cheaper to get them done elsewhere before your appointment.
I paid and was given proof of vaccinations to use when I adjust status. All in all, nothing to worry about but I am glad I was prepared! Good luck to anyone going for their medical
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1 hour ago, MarmiteC said:
Hi, Did you order the correct one, for immigration purposes? Does it have your photo on it? Mine has previous names on it.
I would have thought so. I applied during the whole cyber attack chaos so it was all via email, there was never an option to choose what it was for.
It has my very miserable looking face on it. Hopefully it's the right one!
I've sent ACRO an email anyway but I'll see if I can get through by phone because it sounds like an error
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We received our NOA2 in early May (finally!) so I decided to start getting some things ready, one of which being my ACRO police certificate.
Obviously, you have to put your previous names on the application, which I did (changed my name via deed poll in 2013) but when the certificate arrived creased from being in a thin A4 envelope, it didn't state my old name. Just my current one.
I've seen some recourses dotted about saying that it must show your previous names or that you need a certificate for each name. However, the official embassy site says nothing about this. I'll contact ACRO as well. Just wanted to see if anyone else had some up to date information on London's processes for old names and police certs.
Thanks!
Aaron
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Hi,
This is our first post here, really sorry if I'm not sussing out the etiquette. We've just got our NOA2 so it's time to put my big boy boots on and sort out things my end ready for the medical and embassy!
I've anticipated and understand what I need to do in regards to mental health issues in my early 20's and a diagnosis of a harmless nervous system condition in 2020 (so harmless I don't even have to take medication) BUT what I am apprehensive about is a gender affirming hormone injection given every 3 weeks by my GP.
It's something I've taken for 8 years and my summary record is *filled* with injection summaries and monitoring blood tests done every few months.
I want to get it all ready and sorted as early as possible but obviously I would have had more injections done in the time between getting it printed and the medical. Would it be best to add to the GP letter already being written documenting the nature of the injections, or should I aim to get my summary as last minute as possible.
Thanks!
Aaron
P.S - If you have something negative to say regarding it being gender affirming, don't bother.
Visa Medicals London Review
in United Kingdom
Posted
Hope this helps! I've had to block out my personal information but it should be relatively self explanatory!