Elainep
6th January 2009, 07:18 AM
We had a trip to London today for our medicals (me, OH and 10 yr old) at the Cromwell Hospital, Kensington. Excellent and friendly service, although if you use them, make sure when you book they realise it's for a 'full' immigration medical. I did make this clear when booking but the person I booked ours with over the phone had only booked us in for 15 minutes each with the dr, when they should have been 45 min appointments. With a bit of creative appointment handling (Dr saw a couple of other patients first) we were able to get our proper time with him.
Took from 10.00am to 1pm, for all three of us including the xrays (for OH and myself) and the waiting. Cost £340 total each for OH and myself, as we needed extra blood tests (not as feared for the dreaded 88cm plus waist - I came in at 86cm :clap and BMI ok) but as I'd had a blood transfusion in 1973! And I have a couple of tattoos. OH also had to have the extra blood tests, as he is my sexual partner;)
Cost for son was £160 all in, as he didn't have to have the bloods or x-ray.
My blood pressure measured a little high, so dr kindly tried 4 times (including after the other two had had their medicals done, to give me time to calm down in the waiting room). Luckily OH had his ipod with him so I did a 6 minute relaxation/meditation exercise he had on there and listed to some tranquil music (Mike Oldfield; didn't have much choice - the only other stuff he had on there was trash metal:D)
Anyway, BP still high, so dr said he wouldn't add the details until I come to collect the results in a couple of weeks and we'll try again. He advised to reduce salt intake and lose a few pounds! Sound advice:nice1
Anyway, relieved of £840, we made our way to Waterstones to buy a book on reducing blood pressure, I resent paying full price for books (Amazon is my friend) but needs must!
Took from 10.00am to 1pm, for all three of us including the xrays (for OH and myself) and the waiting. Cost £340 total each for OH and myself, as we needed extra blood tests (not as feared for the dreaded 88cm plus waist - I came in at 86cm :clap and BMI ok) but as I'd had a blood transfusion in 1973! And I have a couple of tattoos. OH also had to have the extra blood tests, as he is my sexual partner;)
Cost for son was £160 all in, as he didn't have to have the bloods or x-ray.
My blood pressure measured a little high, so dr kindly tried 4 times (including after the other two had had their medicals done, to give me time to calm down in the waiting room). Luckily OH had his ipod with him so I did a 6 minute relaxation/meditation exercise he had on there and listed to some tranquil music (Mike Oldfield; didn't have much choice - the only other stuff he had on there was trash metal:D)
Anyway, BP still high, so dr said he wouldn't add the details until I come to collect the results in a couple of weeks and we'll try again. He advised to reduce salt intake and lose a few pounds! Sound advice:nice1
Anyway, relieved of £840, we made our way to Waterstones to buy a book on reducing blood pressure, I resent paying full price for books (Amazon is my friend) but needs must!