[debnjohn]

Do we have to request that our medical records get sent to NZ?

I mean, we're thankfully all pretty healthy and don't visit the doc much. But when we do, he obviously has access to our past records.

Will this be the case in NZ? Do we need to request anything from our local UK doctor? Not sure how this works, as records are confidential, arn't they ?

Thanks,
John

[jubjub]

We had to pay £30 to get copies of ours as you cant bring your actual record with you, they go back to some central storage place in your local health authority. If you go back to the UK they are there.
Think the max the docs can charge a max of £50, or sometimes they can do a print out for £10 depends on how complex your records are.

Our surgery were a bit snotty about letting us have the copies, but its your record and you are entitled to a copy of it, so be persistent and explain why you need it, they should be OK.

[jubjub]

Heres an old thread on the subject

http://www.emigratenz.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1682

[Moorf]

I was given the choice by my NZ doctor - having my records sent over was encouraged, it is obviously handy for them to know of any past problems etc.

The NZ surgery gave me a form to fill in which they then faxed to my doctor in the UK. It was basically a sort of release authority form / notes request. My notes were sent by the UK surgery, I paid nothing, and they arrived 5 weeks later (not the speediest of services I suspect but I was grateful not to be charged).

[Kim39]

My notes were sent by the UK surgery, I paid nothing, and they arrived 5 weeks later

Interesting that you did it this way Moorf. Didn't you make any attempt to acquire your med records at all before you left? We have been priced at £35 for our records(family of four).

I know £35 isn't much, but when you take into account all the hidden extra's that are included to emigrate, maybe that money could be spent elsewhere, and when the quack in NZ makes that request from your UK surgery, they don't really have much choice but to fax them at no cost.

Kim

[StevieD]

Nice one Moorf, so we all going to do that way then? :laugh

[Moorf]

We didn't bother sorting our med reports out before we left - I knew I could request them from abroad so there was no panic - plus we came here with no jobs/home etc and a temporary address so waited until we were settled.

They'll happily treat you with NO background info. I know of people who have never bothered to have their records transferred and started from scratch.

Now, my question is, if you go for medical insurance here in NZ, and you don't have your medical records, will they ask you to get them or will they start you off from scratch (meaning you could get cover for stuff you might NOT get covered for if they knew your full history!?? :?

[Moorf]

Nice one Moorf, so we all going to do that way then?

It's gotta be worth a try! £35 is alot of fush'n'chups!

[GeorgeM]

We just asked at our local surgery before we left and they gave us a computer print out for everyone in the family FOC.

I don't think that the print out covers everything in those little manilla files of notes that the UK doctor held which covered everything from when the midwife/doctor snipped the cord (and anything else). If you wanted a record of all that it would have to be photocopied, and you would expect this to come at an additional charge.