[Familyofmonkeys]

Just wanted to find out exactly what is involved when having medicals. How detailed are medicals for adults compared to GP checkups?

Also at present I don't need chest due to pregnancy, but will I need to have one after baby is born, or will medical without this be sufficient. Do newborns require medicals aswell?

Do children need blood tests etc?

Lastly, did you have to wait long for appointment from time of booking?

[StevieD]

Hi FOM, welcome to the forum!!

The medical is fairly straight forward, height, weight, bloods, blood pressure - just a general health check up. You have to have a chest x-ray as well.

Where about are you? If you look at the NZIS website they have a list of accredited panel doctors for you to find near your home. However, they all charge different fees so it may be worth shopping round, especially if there are quite a few of you.

Good luck.

Steve

[snailandthewhale]

hi,

our young children had to have medicals ( and I think your newborn would too ) but no bloods or x-rays were required for them. very basic, no different to the health visitor's check ups, where they are on the centiles etc.

we only had to wait a couple of weeks for an appointment in Manchester and that was longer than normal because there were 4 of us.

I think the purpose of the medicals are really just to establish whether or not you'd require long term care in NZ.

Karen

[nippa&pippa]

my daughter was very young at 4months when she had her medical check, dr just weight and height of her and check head size and reflex of limbs that all, oh yes he also check eye and ear. No blood tests and chest x-ray need for young children.

[Familyofmonkeys]

Thanks for that...not as scary as i'd imagined :yes

[StevieD]

The only scary thing is paying for the bloomin things!! :laugh

[nippa&pippa]

:( yes, a rip off price!

[Familyofmonkeys]

Can anyone give me a rough guide price? Do they charge more for adults than children?

[StevieD]

Depends on which doctor you go to - where do you live??

We used Dr.Million (seriously!!) in Manchester, and we paid approx. £460 for 2 adults and 2 kids, that included the x-rays and bloods. He is one of the cheaper ones and we have heard some scare stories about some of the doctor's prices.

It is cheaper for kids, but they do not have to have x-rays or blood tests.

Only way to find out is to look up the panel doctors on the nzis website and find one close to you and give them a call - but be prepared for the cost.

Steve

[snailandthewhale]

hi,

We were £110 each for medical (adults) £55 each for children. £100 and £55 each adult for bloods and chest x-rays respectively.

I phoned another place and could've saved about £30 off the total but they didn't do the chest x-rays and so it would've meant a separate trip to see a radiographer elsewhere. Couldn't face that, just wanted it all over with.

We only really had two to choose from but look up the ones for your area and phone around for prices.

Good Luck!

Karen

[Familyofmonkeys]

Looks like we'll have to give some of the xmas pressies a miss this year then!!! :(

[snailandthewhale]

hi,

just read a bit on the form for the medical ( downloadable from NZIS website ) that says no x-rays are required for pregnant women and you shouldn't need to have one once you've delivered unless there is a specific reason. I guess this would be a history of respiratory disease or if you're originally from a country where TB is endemic.
Also everything I've read says you must submit medicals for everyone included on the application at that particular time so if you have them done before the baby comes I don't think they'd then expect you to take him /her in for a separate medical.
The trouble is medicals are only valid for three months.
Ask the receptionists when you phone around.

Good Luck!

[Familyofmonkeys]

Thanks for that! Did have more of a read of the small print, and found some old threads aswell. It seems that the case officer you get assigned can decide what is appropriate, as there does not appear to be clear rules.

I've seen one persons experience of having to take newborn for full medical (expensive) and another case where GP's 6-week checkup copy is Ok for baby to get PR along with rest of family.

Just keeping my fingers crossed that it does not become too complicated for us.

[jbharvey]

Make sure you have 3 passport sized photos for each person's medical. The examiners sign them.

[Mickstim]

All this talk of tough medicals is really getting me worried. We are just starting the process and I must admit to being a bit partial to a bevy or a few. Does anyone know if this could be a serious problem in the blood test/liver function checks? Should I abstain from alcohol for a period before my medical?
Any helpful advice would be much appreciated.
Mike

[jbharvey]

Here in Texas, my wife and I got "yearly physicals" which are covered by my employer's insurance. Only had to pay $70US each.

As for abstaining of a substance before the tests, I'd say do it. Eat right, exercise, abstain from drinking for a week or two before hand. Make sure to fast before the blood tests for 12 hours and don't drink or eat anything other than water.

[Familyofmonkeys]

This has got me worried. Is it standard practice to fast for several hours before a medical here in UK? There is no way I can do without food for more than a couple of hours due to all day long morning sickness.

[Trigirl]

no its ok. i had pizza and a glass of wine only a couple of hours before mine. you only need to do the fasting blood tests here if you are over the weight limits.

[pinkpiggy]

Hi, there is no need to fast before your blood test unless there is a reason. I have spoken to the panel doctor, as I know I will be over the BMI, and will require additional bloods (cholesterol and glucose/diabetes) to be taken and so I will be fasting BUT there is no need for OH to fast. I would however agree with the suggestion to eat right and drink plenty of water in the 2/3 weeks running up to the medical thereby making sure you have done all you can to prepare yourself.

[gil]

Not the norm as far as I'm aware Fom! The bloods are not fasting ones, or at least weren't when we did it!
In our experience, the meds were one of the nicest bits! See link below: http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3719&highlight=Million

Gil

[dangermouse]

Thanks for all that good advice... We have our medicals tomorrow... Ahh!!

Alison, John & the kids... Much Poorer by tomorrow!!