[K&CS]

We're hoping to submit our ITA in the next couple of days (if NZQA pull their finger out and get my verification here this week as promised!) and just wondered how the process had gone for other people who have had to declare a medical condition. I have a fairly non serious medical condition that requires treatment only when it flares up and is very controllable. A letter from my consultant has been attached to my medical.

Is it always the case that if any medical condition is mentioned that it will be referred/investigated further or will they not bother if they're happy with the information given and that it is not likely to cause a problem? It would be really useful to know in advance if I've got to prepare myself for months and months of waiting! If anyone can help, I'd be very grateful!!

Kate

[Jodie]

I had a similar situation and had to declare a non-serious medical consition that requires no treatment - I've just got to live with it :roll: and from my experience, BE PREPARED TO WAIT!! We submitted our ITA at the end of February with some letters from my consultant in the uk (and I also had an appointment with the specialist here in NZ to show willing as we were aplying from NZ), and my medicals got sent to the NZIS Medical specialist for "consideration". Depending on their decision, you may need to go for tests/other appointments and get reports, and then they will make their decision. Luckily, they were satisfied with the information I had provided (just my letters from my UK specialist - didn't submit the NZ report), and gave me the all clear, but that decision only came through last week so it took them nearly 4 months to decide!! :no But I suppose I'd rather them take the time to think about it and say yes, than just say no quickly!

One option if they aren't satisifed with your health is that they issue you with a medical waiver on your visa which I think means that you can't claim for any subsidised healthcare relating to your declared condition, but I'm not too sure about this.

I think the main thing they're worried about is that your not going to cost them more than $20,000 in healthcare in the "forseeable future" (whatever that may be!), but as long as you provide them with enough information and it's not a serious condition, you should be ok.

Give me a shout if you need any more info.

Cheers,
Jodie

[K&CS]

Hi Jodie

Thanks for that - not necessarily what I would have wanted to hear, but it's useful to be prepared for a long wait! It does seem to be a bit of a lottery from what I've read on here - maybe it depends on whether or not your case officer is in a good mood!! What complicates things further for me is that I'm pregnant (due in 2 months' time), so any further tests that they may require (not that there's anything further they could test other than what has already been documented) can't be done while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens! I'm pleased for you that yours came through ok in the end - must be a relief. Think we'll put our house on the market now anyway - it seems to be in the end the biggest headache for everyone trying to make the move!

Cheers

Kate

[jhsay]

Hi Kate,
My family declared a lot of previous and current medical conditions to NZIS. My 5y/o son has asthma and allegic rhinitis. He also underwent herniotomy. My then 8 month old daughter has a small whole in her heart. For myself, In have hypothyroidism and had stones removed from my kidneys. Our application went on fine. Nothing unusual really happened. I guess it's because our ailments are not communicable nor could burden the NZ govt in case we get accepted.

hope that helps.

-jinkee

[K&CS]

Hi Jinkee

Thanks for that. Actually, we had our telephone interview yesterday and nothing was even mentioned about my medical condition. We've yet to hear the outcome of the interview (should know by Monday), but it doesn't look like they're concerned about it. A lot of worry for nothing!

Kate

[marcia]

Glad to hear your interview went well - didn't send you into labour then???

How are you doing - when is your due date???

Take care and keep us posted!!

[K&CS]

Hi Marcia

I'm due a week tomorrow and unfortunately, the interview didn't send me into labour!I'm getting really really uncomfortable now and just want it all to be over with! I'm sure I'll end up going over this this time - just got to keep on eating curry and drinking red wine!

[Smiler]

Kate

There was something else that they told us about in the classes;) ;) ;)
Try that!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deborah

[kiwidebs]

Hmmm, Deborah, it didn't work for us. Neither did fresh pineapple, long walks, raspberry leaf tea......she was still a week late. With my son I did none of that and he was a week early. Go figure. :laugh

Good luck with it all Kate.

Debs

[K&CS]

Yeah, I didn't really want to mention that one, especially if people were eating their breakfast - it might put them off. As with Debs , it didn't work when I was having dd1 anyway - really wouldn't have the energy to be honest this time!! I think it'll come when it's good and ready - just hope it's sooner rather than later! I'll keep you posted.

Kate x