Lucas_Dad

Ok, so here's the deal. I'll be getting a permanent residency visa as my wife is Aussie, my 7 month old son has dual nationality, and we're leaving UK on 4th Sept. During my visa medical a few weeks ago the physician spotted that I have an inguinal hernia (groin). No pain or discomfort, but recommended I get it fixed. Where though?

I found time to see my GP this week, who informed me that NHS treatment will be too slow - initial consultant appointment would be after I leave... I have private medical cover through work, but that kicks in only after the initial consultation. So I have a private consultation booked at a private hospital on 31st July (cost £210!!). Treatment should be keyhole therefore quick recovery, but I doubt I'll be allowed to lift & carry right during the time when we're packing up and running around (on top of the usual 7 month old baby duties which involved a lot of lifting and carrying!).

I could wait until we reach Oz, but I don't know what medical cover I will be able to get when I reach Oz. ADVICE?

I know about the reciprocal Medicare thing, but I don't think that will cover my hernia? To complicate things a little, I will actually be arriving on a visitors visa (so unable to work) until I get my PR visa about 6 weeks later. (Yes yes I know, bad way of doing things, but case officer at immi is aware and has advised me accordingly).

Will I still be able to get a medical insurance policy in Oz? I know these companies do not like to treat "existing conditions" which this hernia technically is, so I might be lumbered with this hernia permanently (bad idea) or have a huge bill to fix it?

All advice & comments gratefully received!

eddie007

Its a pre existing condition... So your new insurance company here probably wont cover it .... For at least a year....

"Reciprocal" is for emergency treatment.... Not routine surgery

May take a while to get it seen to in the health service here until it becomes problematic for you....


Will surgery in the uk effect your departure date/ability to fly?

Ozrible

You are in a bit of a quandry, aren't you? Seems you are running out of time to have the op in UK. Too much lifting etc. after the op. could put you in for another.
If it isn't bothering you too much, you could try a truss- bloody uncomfortable, but they help- to get you to Oz. You could then take out private health insurance and wait for the stipulated period before getting anything done. I know this sounds a bit shonky, but technically you do not have a pre existing condition as far as this country is concerned.
One thing wrong with this approach, is that if the bloody thing ruptures in the mean time, you are in big trouble, but you are considering that risk any way, by travelling with a hernia.
Wish I could be of more help, but the time factor is really against you isn't it?
Wish you all the best.

sormesher

Well the week before I left the uk I was admitted to uk hospital stayed a week in there and then was told I will have to go on the list for an op. I had cysts on cysts one burst. I had the same quandary. Decided to come and wait on oz list. I came as perm res, hubby is Ozzie. I went straight to gp, I paid for the consultation, then I waited. We got her beginning of November I had my op the following march, I was on the severe list but still had a long wait. That was 2009 - 2010 . I have just had another op this year. Was put on the list as high last October and was seen last month. This is royal women's in Brisbane. Whereever you are you will have to wait, 6 weeks wait to get in the system isn't that long a wait really. You have always got the emergency dept if something happens.

Lucas_Dad

I think flying will be ok. The heaving around of four 23kg cases will probably require a little care!

Lucas_Dad

Many thanks. To be honest, the hernia isn't bothering me at all - I had no clue it was even there! But now I know I have it, I am being more careful. It is frustrating that I have to wait until the 31st July for my consultant appointment, even going private, but the GP recommended a guy who is currently on holiday!

Pennines49

Had 3 groin hernias surgery (once)in W.A. hospital public system- no complaints.

Lucas_Dad

Forgive my lack of knowledge... when you say public system, is this Medicare? Good to hear your care was good. What were waiting times like?

eddie007

Look.. Your specialist will be the best person to advise you... Not ramdom internet peeps.... And yhe advice you are given will depend in the size and location of the hernia.....

The options and risks of wait watch and see versus surgery for an asymptomatic hernia will be given to you and you have to weigh up these and make your decision...

Its not JUST the "not being able to carry things" .... Its whether a wait watch and see approach is advisable too...

Without a physical exam and a medical history that isnt possible on a tinternet site

Dorothy

Yes, Medicare.

OxOz

This is a medical decision and you have to take doctors advice

If you have to have it now do you have a friend or relative with a free month who could help you pack and unpack and you could pay their flight ? Or do you have people to help pack this end and Aussie relatives to help unpack other end?

Bazza Boy

Buddy, I've been in your situation. The lifting things is irrelevant, because if you do that with your hernia, you'll not do it any good, and if you do it after surgery you're risking popping it again.

So look at a contingency for lumping heavy stuff around regardless of your timing of surgery.

I personally would have the op in Blighty. Why? Not because the care here is that bad (well Perth isn't from my experience of a double hernia op last year), but because you're privately covered there, and should get good treatment. You'll avoid the risk of having any trouble getting it done privately here (mine was done privately, Joondalup, - can't speak for the public system).

Getting it done sooner rather than later will also give you peace of mind. It will be behind you by the time you travel. Whilst very unlikely, you don't want a hernia strangulating at 35,000 ft.

One final point. If you are getting the hernia repaired keyhole (laprascopically), make sure your surgeon is experienced in this op (has done at least 500 ops), and get a guarantee it will be him/her operating - and not a registrar.

Good luck.

Big Baz

LittleButton

Can't advise on the hernia, but I do have experience of being treated privately here in Oz for a pre-existing condition, within a couple of months of arriving.

I'd had private medical cover in the UK (through work). My private health provider here in Oz said that because of my previous UK cover, I could apply for a waiver of waiting times for pre-existing conditions, also that they have this type of arrangement with most of the major health insurance providers. All I had to do was get a certificate from my UK company proving the dates and level of cover I'd had, and supply it to the Oz provider for them to evaluate. I also had private dental cover in the UK, and my waiting times were waived for that too.

It might be worth investigating.

Lucas_Dad

Thanks for all the replies. Appreciate everyone's input.

Cheers