[iammeiamfree]

Hi Everyone,

Am new to this forum and so far am really enjoying the wealth of information that it provides. I have a particular question concerning a heart condition that I have and I'm wondering if anybody on the forum who is currently residing in NZ has it or something similar.

Basically I have Long QT Syndrome (http://www.long-qt-syndrome.com/long_qt_syndrome_intro.html) and I have an ICD fitted. It's a hereditary condition so any future children have a 50% chance of having it, which will obviously affect our decision to move. I would be interested if anyone on the forum is living in NZ and have this condition or something similar like Brugada Syndrome.

I am interested to find out what the local specialists are like etc... Also I will need the battery changed in my ICD in a couple of years time and wondered if anyone has went through this for either a pacemaker or an ICD while being a resident in NZ.

Thanks in advance

t

[iammeiamfree]

Oh Yeah... was also wondering would this lil ole heart condition be a problem in the health check. I am perfectly healthy, no symptoms (well thats easy as the only symptom is suddent death lol) and the ICD is a preventative measure.

[JandM]

I've given you some links about the medical on your other thread.

[britzy]

Hello.

I am sorry to say but there may be some difficulty surrounding your plans to move to NZ,with regards your ICD.I would look into this first with immigration before you make too many plans.I am not an immigration expert but my expertise is in cardiology/CCU.Immigration will have to look at the long term cost of the ICD,ie battery changes,future devices,upgrades,ICD checks and cardiology appointments this will be costly.Although you are fit and healthy and like you said this is a preventative measure the wider picture needs to be addressed.I really hope I am wrong but I just want to put you on the right track by making enquiries with NZIS first.

Good luck

Helen

[iammeiamfree]

Hello.

I am sorry to say but there may be some difficulty surrounding your plans to move to NZ,with regards your ICD.I would look into this first with immigration before you make too many plans.I am not an immigration expert but my expertise is in cardiology/CCU.Immigration will have to look at the long term cost of the ICD,ie battery changes,future devices,upgrades,ICD checks and cardiology appointments this will be costly.Although you are fit and healthy and like you said this is a preventative measure the wider picture needs to be addressed.I really hope I am wrong but I just want to put you on the right track by making enquiries with NZIS first.

Good luck

Helen

Hi Helen,

Thanks for your reply. So do I just ring up immigration and ask them? Or is there a number specifically about health concerns.

t

[silvo]

Hi

The GP who did my NZIS medical suggested that conditions that do not require expensive treatment were acceptable to NZIS; anything that represents a significant potential cost to the NZ health system would be a potential problem.

When ICD's were introduced they cost around 20k GBP, they have come down in price and I attach a link regarding an immigration appeal case concerning an ICD -

http://www.residencereviewboard.govt.nz/srchdisp.aspx?D=FullTexts&F=res_20090123_16035e.htm&Str=Health+Requirements

It looks as though the cost here for replacement devices at 'end of life' - (battery life that is)! will be circa $30-40k

I very much suspect this will be seen as an issue by NZIS, I hope I am wrong for your sake. As other posts indicate you should contact NZIS before you invest too much in the rather expensive visa application process.

Good luck with your enquiries.

Regards Neil (Cardiac Physiologist)

[iammeiamfree]

Hi Neil,

Many thanks for your informative reply to my questions. I will contact immigration soon, but I really dont know how much they can tell me until I actually apply for PR which could be any time in the next 2 years

Therese