[unar]

I am going for my medical next Monday... a bit terrified! I already have a medical condition so really hope all the other test are fine.

Can somebody tell me what actually happens during the medical? What kind of test do they do apart from blood, urine and x-ray? Are there anything I can do to increase my odds.. like not drink alcohol and take me vitamins? :) I am mainly a vegetarian (my Kiwi husband is a vegi, so we eat vegi at home) these days.. should I eat a hamburg or two this week to increase my blood count? :)

Thanks for your help
-Una

[markandjackie]

Hi all we also need to have our medical soon but are not vegs, again any advise would be helpfull. :clap

[Carey]

The doctor takes height, weight measurements, checks eye sight, hearing, prods tummy to check all internal stuff is where it should be, asks about any details outlined on form, any prescribed drugs/repeat prescriptions, hobbies, diet; generally builds up a picture of you and your life-style or at least that's whats happened to us.
Good luck

[lnz]

Hi Una,

In addition to taking blood / urine for testing and doing a chest x-ray, they also did blood pressure and sight and hearing tests at our medical.

From my experience....
If you are close to the requirements for extra tests (BMI >= 35 or a waist over 102cm for men/ 88cm for women), you could ask the clinic if you can have the extra tests whilst you are there.

We had an early medical so had to fast from about 11 the night before (OH fasted with me, bless him, even though he didn't need the extra tests). It only took a few more minutes on the day of the medical, and it meant we didn't have to drive all the way over to Oxford for a second time. The clinic should be able to tell you how long you need to fast if you are going to do this.

My one regret is that I didn't ask for a copy of the report whilst we were there or ask for them to send it unsealed. When the medical arrived for us to send on to NZIS, it was sealed with the docs stamp and signature across the seal. I thought long and hard about opening and decided not to risk it. It must have been OK, because we're approved in principle now, but I would have liked to have a nosy at it.

[dusk]

I would recommend not drinking for at least a couple of days beforehand, and be careful with any supplements you take as a few may affect your blood results too (CJ22 had a raised level in one result due to this but was not a major problem)

it may also help to take any reports on your existing condition with you so that the doctor can make some additional notes on your medical about this if required, you may also (depending on the condition) have to supply reports to the medical assessor, but impossile to say without knowing what the condition is :)

good luck anyway

[Beeblebrox]

Una

Good luck with your medical.

I think that avoiding alcohol and any medicines that you don't have to take would be a good idea to minimise the chances of any odd liver function test results. If the medical is one week away eating some meat now probably won't have any effect on your blood count, but it won't hurt to try if you feel like it.

I know it is difficult but try and relax for your blood pressure's sake, I know mine is through the roof at the moment!

Beeb.

[EmigratingNZ]

Hi Una

I know it is easier said than done but the medical isn't as terrifying as you think and it is all over really quickly.

For those that haven't booked theirs yet I would suggest contacting a few of the panel doctors on the list as the prices can vary quite dramatically. I ended up travelling a bit further for mine but saved quite a bit compared to what the clinics closest to me were quoting. The emigration process is quite costly so save money where you can I say :D


Best of luck!

[SNK05]

Hi Una

If ours were anything to go by, I'd really not worry! The Dr. was a VERY quiet chap, not the chatty type at all! He checked our info on the forms and signed/certified the pictures, then he went through Section B, the medical questions bit. He weighed us and recorded our height and waist measurement. We had to 'pee in a pot', then he took BP, pulse and bloods, checked chest and abdomen and shone a light in our eyes! That was that.....we then tootled off for our chest x-rays!

I've been trying to eat a little healthier anyway as put on a few pounds after giving up smoking, have been drinking lots more water, started the gym and laid off the alcohol for about 10 days. Most of that was because I'd put on some weight though, not because of the pending medicals as such.

I'm sure all will be fine.....good luck, keep us posted!

Sue n Kev
xx

[unar]

Thanks for all the replies.. as far as the plan of being good this weekend...it has gone slightly off track! All due to a Real Cider festival at our local.. oops! I am going to be good today, will try to drink loads of water and juice....Fingers crossed!

Will keep people posted on my progress.. I have a medical problem so will probably have to go through the review board. Will try to post as much as can about the process, hopefully will help people in the same boat.

see ya!
-una
x

[unar]

I did my medical yesterday, all quite straight forward. It only took 30mins. However, because my BMI is too low (16.5).. I had to go see a psychologist to make sure I do not have an eating disorder (which I don't, and never had). To save time, I opted for a private one.. which cost me loads of money (£280). So if anybody is in the same boat as me.. just be prepared you might need a psych evaluation.. start saving money now.

I went to the Knightbridge doctors. The doctors and office staff were very nice. They can do all the test at the same office, no separate appointment needed for the X-ray. The whole thing cost £285 which is slightly more expensive than some other london ones. But to be able to finish the whole thing in one appointment was quite important for me (well, I didn't know about the psychological evaluation). The results can be pick up in 4 working days, which is quite quick I think.

Anyway, fingers crossed that everything is OK. Will write another update when I get the results. It is rice and beans for me this month!

-Una

[Beeblebrox]

Hi Una

just had my medicals at the same practice today. I can echo what you say. Friendly staff relaxed atmosphere.

Hope all goes well with your results.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for mine.

Cheers

Beeb

[unar]

Still waiting for letter from referral doctor.. four weeks now! The doc went on holiday on the Wednesday after my Friday appointment. bleh.

-una

[unar]

oh finally got the medical results back after much chasing of the psychologist letter. Seems like everything is OK. Hopefully by the end of August we will be sending in our application. I have a chronic condition, the doctor who did the medical didn't think it was a big deal.. so fingers crossed that I don't have to go through the medical assessment thingy.

-una

[Hejwitch_uk]

Una,
don't panic if you do have to go through anyhting else - I had to provide a GP report on my medical results, for obesity (I was 32.9 BMI), hyperlipadaemia (my cholesterol was 6.6 but I got it down to 5.9) and a 15 year history of on-off depression. Luckily I have a great GP who wrote an honest and accurate report, which was sent off to the MA in Wellington. A few days ago I was contacted to say my medical was cleared and accepted!! - I was totally convinced that I would have to go down the waiver route. I think they just want to double-check anything that 'rings an alarm bell'. Good luck - keep us posted