[Albertz]

Hi just back from having my medical and it was a nightmare, to be fair I wasnt expecting an easy time, Ive sufferred from stress and mild depression on and off for the last 5 years twice for three months and once for 4 months and another for 3 weeks, (all caused by an unnaceptable work load and bad mamagement) but as I knew redundancy was a possibilty I stuck it out to the end in December, I havent took any medication except for the time I was off work with it and havent taken any for 6 months.

The doc now reckons I might need to see a psycatrist (spelling?) as its been a regular event. :confused: He didnt want to know much about why it happenned, as he was only "filling in boxes" at this stage, upon hearing this news my mood changed and the next part was the blood pressure test, to date even when I was off work my PB was never high but today it was up over the 155 mark, over what I dont know :(. which meant I had to get extra blood tests done. :o

The doc seemed to be in a rush to get through the medical in double quick time to me as my son was having a medical at the same time as me which didnt help :( I left his surgery very flat so i darent imagine how we'll feel if NZIS knock us back later.

I have made an appointment with my GP for tomorrow to see if he can be of any help as he knows my histiory better then the panel doc ever tried to find out.

My wife has a job to go to and the last thing we need was a delay in our application, so now as I type this im almost at the point of giving up as a delay in the application will lose her the job and were then back to square one and lots of cash lighter.


Has anyone experienced anything similar good or bad?.

Sorry for going on a bit but after spent 6 months chasing all over Britain and NZ for all the relevant paperwork and trying to convince our oldest of the merits of going to NZ im feeling rather low tonight.

[off2nz]

Hi

I am so sorry to hear of your bad experience at your medical. I don't have anything constructive or helpful to suggest - just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and am sorry you had to go through that. Let's hope that your GP can help by writing an explanatory letter.

Hope that everything works out for you - please keep us all posted.

G

[katandbob]

you could always go for another panel doc....more money but if your GP says your ok, then it may be worth it? next time dont mention the depression???if you havent actually been diagnosed with it before.

good luck

[Smiler]

Have pm'd you

[Rabbit]

Hi Albert,

sorry to here you are facing these challenges, and they are probably the last thing you need at the moment.

The panel doctors do indeed seem very strict. Some of my blood results were borderline and I have been sent for a battery of tests, at great expense as because of timescales, they need to be done privately.

My blood pressure at the time of the medical was sky high, due to the worry and dependency of getting through it (Iam a whitecoat hypertensive), though after a little meditation I managed to get it down to the right number.

I visited my dentist the other day (after the med), and just to add icing on the cake, he said I had a white patch in my mouth that may be cancerous. So a little more stress and a little more money for a private appointment. My brother and wife had been sent for the same thing, and it was nothing, and so I remain, sceptable, but I still have to go.

Meanwhile we are supposed to ship in a few weeks and I need this all like a hole in the head.

Sometimes it helps to know you are not alone in the world.

Perhaps your GP will give you letter, saying the problem (episode) is no longer relevant, also try to get your blood pressure taken several times over a day or after you have laid down in a dark room for a while.

Dont let the bureacracy get you down, after all you have came this far, and based on what you have said it should not be a major problem.

[marcia]

Albert

We're thinking about you! Don't give up hope, I'm sure things will work out in the end!

Sure we'll meet up again one day in New Zealalnd so don't stop trying to get there!

Hicups come but they do go eventually - class this as a hicup and hopefully it will be gone sooner rather than later!

Marcia and kev

[Jonathon1977]

Albert,

Maybe you should scrap it and find another GP to do "retake". I don't think there is a rule that says you have to turn in your first try. It cost money but may be worth it in the long run. Perhaps with another doctor you may have chance at mitigating your previous experiences. I would almost argue that your situation was just a "situation" not a medical condition and hardly worth talking about.

I was going to do a retake if my BMI caused any problems. I would have had to loose some weight a bit quicker than planned but at least I could have avoided the extra tests and stress.

Just a thought.

[zardell]

Albert.

First of all, let me say that stressing over this is just going to make matters worse.

I tend to agree with Jonathon, that if you could maybe have another medical done somewhere else, it may be worth the extra costs.

You know what to expect this time and therefor you won't be as concerned about the actual medical itself and that in itself will keep your blood pressure down.

You say that your wife has a job in NZ. Well, in my opinion, the cost of a second (favourable) medical is a small price to pay to get you there

Take care,

Julie

xx

[Albertz]

Hi all, thanks for the kind words of support and PMs, ive been to see my GP today and while he stated he will wait for the panel doctor to contact him (as it might not be needed) , he reasurred me that all my stress problems were work related only and would state that fact when asked, he also checked my BP again and it was fine, he suggested like most on here that if a letter from him was needed that it should suffice and a shrink should not be required, so im keeping a smile on my face while my fingers are remaining crossed :nice1 .
The option of taking another medical will jepordise the whole thing as I had to wait 5 weeks for an appointment with this doctor and 7 weeks when trying to book with another, dont know what the time scales are in England but thats the times quoted in Scotland.

Once again thanks for your support :cheers and i'll keep you all posted re the results

[zardell]

Glad to read that you are feeling more positive - good on ya.

I was under the impression that it isn't the panel doctors who contact your GP. I thought that the medical results were assessed by NZIS when they received them with your visa application and any follow ups were done by them.


Maybe I'm wrong.


As for Panel Doctor time scales in England, you can get an appointment with Dr. Million in Manchester within a matter of days, but that's a bit too far for you to travel isn't it.

Hopefully you wont need to have another medical anyway.

Good luck,

Julie

xx

[Albertz]

I was under the impression that it isn't the panel doctors who contact your GP. I thought that the medical results were assessed by NZIS when they received them with your visa application and any follow ups were done by them.


I hope that is the case too but I had to fill out a mandate to allow the panel GP to write to my GP if needed but having spoke with my GP im more confident of the outcome but like you im hopeful that it wont be needed. :)

[Smiler]

Good to hear you sounding much more positive.

I'm glad your BP is back to normal and now hopefully things will sort themselves out for you.

Everything crossed. ;)

[Rabbit]

Hi Albert,

glad to here your blood pressure is back to normal and I hope you are making progress with the other things.

As for myself,

well the visit to hopsital concluded that the white patch in my mouth was not "clinically relevant" and sent me packing in about 10 seconds. They did not have the nerve to charge me and put me down as an NHS patient.

On the blood front from the private Consultant Haemotologist, after blood, lung tests and a scan too boot, they have concluded, "a minor abnormality in the blood count with no significant cause". £700 worse off for the pleasure, though I suppose it was worth it.

Now, if I can get the bits of paper sent to the panel Doctor, I will be back on track for the next assault course.

At least, I feel I have had a good MOT :)

[Albertz]

Hi Albert,

glad to here your blood pressure is back to normal and I hope you are making progress with the other things.

As for myself,

well the visit to hopsital concluded that the white patch in my mouth was not "clinically relevant" and sent me packing in about 10 seconds. They did not have the nerve to charge me and put me down as an NHS patient.

On the blood front from the private Consultant Haemotologist, after blood, lung tests and a scan too boot, they have concluded, "a minor abnormality in the blood count with no significant cause". £700 worse off for the pleasure, though I suppose it was worth it.

Now, if I can get the bits of paper sent to the panel Doctor, I will be back on track for the next assault course.

At least, I feel I have had a good MOT :)

Excellent news :clap pleased to hear you are on track again, I hope to have some good news re my medical with 24 hours, so watch this space lol

[Jaideco]

I would certainly still consider taking another panel doctor check... The waiting times are often typical for couples and families but if it's just you, you can often take a cancellation slot at much shorter notice. Especially if you can keep checking with a handful of localish clinics. I was told by the doctors in Winchester that I would have to wait three months, then when I called Maidenhead they told me that they could fit me in on Thursday (or four weeks when I said I couldn't manage that one).

As for your condition, I know how you feel, I had taken some meds and had some time off for it as well (including a three month period a few years ago... also due to work). When it came to the medical and the interview I just calmly admitted to it but downplayed it's effect on me. I know that it is very hard when you feel that you have a lot resting on it but considering how common the condition actually is in the western world I think they must be used to it. They just need to know that when you get over you will be able to function in a job and that you will not be a drain on the medical system. If you are satisfied in yourself that this is the case, there is no need to worry.

Good luck! :clap

[Albertz]

Well I have received my medical back from the panel DOC, it wasnt too clever by his accounts, x ray & bloods were ok but my cholesterol was 6.2 (dont know if its too high or not), he didnt seem to convinced about my (low mood) state of mind, he asked via letter for my GPs thoughts and they were a lot more positive the than the panels GP was so based on what what my own GP said were off to London tonight and will submit them in person tomorrow morning, if my own GP had been anything less than postive I wouldnt have bothered I feel so fed up with the whole thing now, (maybe the panel GP was right?) lol

I also didnt help myself big time by stating on the medical that I was receiving state benefit at present for health reasons, when im not, so I had to contact the panel GP and explain, so ive now got a covering letter along with the medicals explaining what ive done, so fingers XX it will be ok, if it aint I wont be going through all this hassle but im hanging on in there with keeping as positive as I can, the next 4 - 6 will seem a long time but there aint nothing more that we can do!.

Wish me luck lol

[marcia]

Good luck, hopefully with the letter from your own doc, (which must surely count for a lot more than a strangers??) immigration will be ok, if they think about it half their staff are probably suffering from stress, (if not why not, the rest of the world is??!!!)

[Rabbit]

Well I have received my medical back from the panel DOC, it wasnt too clever by his accounts, x ray & bloods were ok but my cholesterol was 6.2 (dont know if its too high or not)
Wish me luck lol

Albert, the attached link gives a range, it says your range is not ideal, but that it is NORMAL.

http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/cache/-80412606.htm

One of my blood counts (not Chollesterol) was 2 points over normal and I was quite worried about it. I emailed my immigration officer, and I was told not to worry to much about it, he said, they only pick up on specific blood results that are significantly off target.

[zardell]

Good luck Albert......I'm sure all will be OK.

Wishing you all the best.

Julie

xx

[Albertz]

Hi, I phoned my CO to check on the progress of our application, and she said that my medical was referred to a consultant physition (sp?) and depending on his decision she could make a decision right away as eveything else seemed in order, apparantly there is a backlog on the consultants side so who knows how long now.
The waiting is now unbearable knowing that its me that can make or break the whole thing now. :uhoh

Albert

[zardell]

Good luck Albert.

The waiting does get unbearable, I know, but keep smiling 'cos it will be over very soon and then you'll all be flying off to your new lives in NZ.

Keep positive.......you'll get there......

Julie

xx

[katandbob]

yeah fingers Xd for you!

Kat

[Hannah]

I really wish you all the best Albert and hope that you get a swift answer so you can move forward. I guess you can always argue that if you can deal with the stress of NZIS and immigration applications then you can deal with anything!!! Its a real emotional rollercoaster at every step.

All the best, and please keep us posted.

[Albertz]

Latest update, I now need to send to NZIS a letter from my consultant at the hospital stating whats the current position and detailing the history.
.
.
.
only trouble is I have never been to see one at any time when i was off, I phoned my CO to expalin and she said that as thats what the NZIS physician asked for I now have to go and get a referral from my GP to see one!, this has to be done and in their hands by the 12th of May, NOT A CHANCE of getting a referral in that timeframe, the only glimmer of hope she gave me was that the NZIS "might" accept a letter from my GP, so I am off to see him again tomorrow and this is the very last throw of the dice for me as my wifes job offer will be withdrawn at the end of May if we cant confirm arrival.

So my next post on here will be to say see you in NZ or all the best and farewell from me.

:( :( :(

[Lupin]

Everything crossed for you Albertz.

[zardell]

Good luck with the GP tomorrow Albertz.

Julie

xx

[marcia]

Albert, don't give up hope, we haven't!!

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Have you tried to contact your wifes future employer and explain there is a delay? Surely they would be understanding?

Your wife is a nurse isn't she? Well if this job falls through I'm sure there will be plenty others willing to have her. Don't give up yet, i know its hard when your fate is in the hands of others, but try and stay positive, you just never know! :nice1

PS if you do have to be referred could you pay private and jump the queue this once?

[Smiler]

Albertz

Good luck with tomorrow and the GP etc.

Surely if you haven't seen a consultant and the GP's letter is detailed enough and mentions that too, this would be acceptable to NZIS.

If you have to go down the consultant route, Marcia's idea is good, can you pay and jump the queue? I guess all you would be paying for is for them to write a letter of the medical history you & the GP will be telling them?

Let us know how you get on.

[katandbob]

Albertz...all appendages crossed (I have to go to the drs thursday for a biopsy on a mole)

so heres hoping for good news for us both :rolleyes:

Kat

[Albertz]

Well I said it would be my last post so here goes...

I visited my GP today with the letter from NZIS stating they needed a psyciatrists (sp?) report or a detailed letter from him to support his earlier one.
He said that he wouldnt do a report to NZIS as he has already covered all situations in his earlier letter (to be fair he did IMO) and that I did not need to see anyone, I asked if he would do a referral letter to a pysciatrist (NHS or Private), he "could" but didnt see the need and it would take him a while to do a letter and also that the waitng lists are long, we have tried a few private specialists around scotland today but no one will either accept new patients or will need a doctors letter (which we cant or wont get in the timescale).
I have been in contact with my CO this afternoon who will speak to her boss tomorrow but both our CO & us know that going by the letter sent to us, on the 12th of May if their aint no letter from a specialist we will be declined and there aint nothing we can do as although they have all the info they need its not from a specialist confirming it.

Not sure what more to say now as were all emotional, frustrated and rather gutted here but I suppose until we get the news after the 12th of May anythings possible.

Good luck to all who are waiting and we'll see you around :cheers

[zardell]

Oh Albertz, I don't know what to say to you....words seem so inadequate.

Would your GP not be prepared to write NZIS a note in support of his previous, detailed letter, drawing their attention to the fact that in his opinion, you do not need to see a psychiatrist, so therefor he will not be referring you to one ?

If that isn't an option, is it not then possible to ask for the date of 12th May to be extended, so that you can make a private appointment with a psychiatrist, even though you don't need one, just to 'show willing' to NZIS ?

I appreciate that NZIS have guidelines to follow and that they are obliged to work within those guidelines, however not everybody's case is cut and dried and allowances must surely be made for those cases which fall outside the norm and therefor the guidelines.

I really feel that if some 'lee-way' is not given to your situation and your application is declined at this stage, that you may have recourse for appeal.

Whatever happens Albertz, I wish you all the best.

Julie

xx

[katandbob]

Sorry Albertz, maybe they will do an about turn on the 12th??? any how, heres hoping

Kat

[mossum]

albertz !!!

I've been thinking about you today , everything crossed for the 12 th then - Don't beat yourself up - this process is designed to be hard on purpose - me thinks


big hugs (((((((((albertz))))))))

vic x

[willsken]

Albertz - sorry to hear about all your problems. I can only second what Julie said. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

[Smiler]

Hi Albertz

I'm sorry to hear your news. Julie has got some good ideas there. It sounds like you have grounds to appeal if it gets that far.

Although I can't see why it would hurt your doc to write again, that might be the letter that tips the balance, even if he has written before.

Good luck and keep us updated, we're all rooting for you.

[Lupin]

Albertz....I don't know if this would apply to you or not but I was trawling through the NZIS operations manual and found a section about medical wavers. It says this

Applicants for residence in New Zealand who are assessed as not having an acceptable standard of health and whose applications meet all other requirements for approval under the relevant Government residence policy may be considered for the grant of a medical waiver unless:
they require dialysis treatment, or an Immigration New Zealand medical assessor has indicated that they will require such treatment within a period of four years from the date of the medical assessment; or
they have active pulmonary tuberculosis; or
they have severe haemophilia; or
they have a physical incapacity that requires full time care.
Medical waivers will also not be granted to people:
who are applying for residence under Family category policy; and
who were eligible to be included in an earlier application for residence as the spouse or partner of a principal applicant or the dependent child of a principal applicant or their spouse or partner; and
were not declared on that earlier application.
People who:
were eligible to be included in an earlier successful application for residence as the spouse or partner of a principal applicant or the dependent child of a principal applicant or their spouse or partner; and
who were declared in that application but were not included in that application as non-principal applicants; and
whose application for residence under Family category policy is sponsored by a person included in the application for residence referred to in (i) above
will be assessed for the grant of a medical waiver as if they had been included in the earlier application and as if the sponsor was not resident in New Zealand.

Applicants (and dependants included in their application) who have been recognised as refugees may be granted medical waivers.
Effective 28/11/2005

So could you apply for a waiver? or have I misunderstood. It's on the NZIS operations manual (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/index.htm) page...at the very least it looks like you could get a second opinion. It's not the easiest bit of the site to navigate...something like part 4.0

[Albertz]

Still here I said i'd made my last post re this but please forgive me one last post.

Another dreaded letter from NZIS arived today, stating that the GP letter re my condition? was unnaceptable to them as it had to be from a pyschiatrist, which they underlined, so still faced with being unable to get a referral it wasnt looking good but after speaking to my CO about the options available to us and having a chat with my OH we have decided to give it one last shot and i'm going to London this friday to speak to a private consultant pyschiatrist at a cost of £240 and hopefully get a decent report from him which should be back with us by wednesday of next week, all being well I'll be emailing it to NZIS on the same day and we'll have a 2 week waiting time before we find out.

This has been more stressfull than my work ever was :laugh so I'll need to take a good few happy pills on friday to see me through.

Im hopefull as they want a report on my current state of mind which is GOOD!
on my treatment which is NO tablets since last september!(only ever taken when off work)
future prospects which also are good as I dont work in the place that caused me stress/depression!
so all fingers & toes will be crossed on friday

watch this space :laugh

[zardell]

:nice1

Good on ya Albert.

Hope everything works out for you.........

I'm sure it will, but all my fingers and toes are crossed too.

Good luck,


Julie

xx

[mossum]

Hi there

well best wishes for friday - we will all be working on positive vibes for you :nice1

take care

vic x

[marcia]

Hope it all goes well Albert.

Focus on the positives in your 'interview' and emphaize (sp) that it was just a 'blip' due to your job at the time.

Will have fingers and toes crossed for you!

We need a few 'team 64' supporters in NZ so hurry up and get out there to start rounding them up!!! :nice1

Good luck

Marcia, Kev and the boys

[Lupin]

Good luck Albertz :)

[Smiler]

Good luck for Friday. :nice1

Let us all know how you get on please.

[Marie P]

Best Wishes :nice1

Marie x

[willsken]

Best of luck :nice1

[Nienke]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, good luck! :nice1

[Albertz]

I went to see the specialist as requested on friday, re my work related stress and he gave me a clean bill of health and he said his report to NZIS would be good as I am currently well, receiving no treatment and that the prognosis for the future is good as im no longer in that work environment and now know that if the same situation was to happen again in the workplace I would leave and get another job and not suffer anymore stress through work.
He assured me that all being well the report would be with me on monday by email for me to forward on to my CO with a hard copy coming through the post a few days later , also to be forwarded on the them.

After that it will be down to NZIS assessing the letter and making their decision on whether we can go to NZ or not, either way we're happy because if they decide for some reason we cannot go although we would be dissapointed we're satisifed that we have done everything asked of us, however im thinking positive and we are hoping to be in NZ by the end of June early July.

:D

I have only put one smiley here but when you look at it think of my smile being the size of your screen as its been such a weight lifted off my shoulders,

thanks again for all the words of support and hopefully in a couple of weeks i'll have started a new thread announcing we're off!! :yes


Albert

[Smiler]

Albert

Thank you letting us know how you got on. I can understand your relief and whoever you went to see sounds like they seen your situation for what it is, without making a mountain out of a molehill. I hope NZIS sees it that way for you too, you certainly have done everything they asked. :nice1

I can't wait to see the post that says you're off to NZ. :clap

Good luck.

[Lupin]

Excellent news Albertz :clap

[mossum]

yay !!!!!

well done you for having the ommph to carry on - It certantly was worth it .
:cheers

[zardell]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

Oh well done you.

This was one post I was DELIGHTED to read.

I am soooo pleased for you and your family.

It's all steam ahead now then eh??

:clap

Julie

xx

[willsken]

Very please for you and your family! :raebanana

[jubjub]

Been following this thread, its such a shame you have had to go through this hassle, and the good old NHS not wanting to really do a lot to help you.

But you have done the right thing (well, I think so anyway :)) and gone down the private route to get the report you so desperately need.

Fingers crossed you get approved and make it over here soon.

[marcia]

Albert you can have a couple of hand clappy things but I'm saving the Bananas!!!! (sure i will be able to use them soon!!)

:clap :clap

Great news hope all goes well now with your C/O

[katandbob]

Yay, and loads of smilie faces and dancing bananas for you.

Look forward to seeing an update soon..........

well done for not giving in (from someone who left a job for the exact same reason!)

Kat

[Jimbo Logo]

What an ordeal! Glad you soldiered on. Congratulations! Prayers for clear sailing ahead. :nice1

[Nienke]

Great news! Congratulations! :clap

[Albertz]

Hi all, a quick update, ive just received an email from my CO stating my medical has been accepted by the consultant physician and the application has been put forward for a positive result and we will know by the end of next week at the latest.

Not quite dancing bananas but a giant step on the journey :yes :clap
Cheers

Albert :D

[zardell]

:raebanana :raebanana

2 bananas to be going on with......saving the other 'til next week.

Julie

xx

[Smiler]

YAY!! Good news. Deffo a case for a couple of nana's :raebanana:raebanana

I'll buff the other one up ready for next weeks update. :D

D x x

[Lupin]

Excellent news Albertz!! Well done for hanging in there :)

[marcia]

Ok not bananas yet Albert, but you can have a couple of hand clappy things to be going on with, well done for sticking it out!!


:clap :clap