TraceyW

We live in the Midlands and one of the closest panel doctors to us is in Birmingham. He does the medicals and the x-rays on site, so it all sounds very good...but

A friend of mine went to him yesterday and she was quite shocked at the level of examinations that went on. She had a full breast and abdomen examination, her hubby had his testicals examined and so did her THREE year old son! Is this normal?

I'm not suggesting that there is something dodgy going on there but after reading a lot of posts on this forum regarding medical exainations, so many of you didn't have breast exams or the old cough and drop for hubby!

He also questioned her about her post natal depression which happened over 2 years ago, he wants a letter from her doctor to say she hasn't got a problem with depression. He questioned her husbands scars on his legs( he was badly injured in a fire years ago) and wants a referal letter from his GP too. The list seemed to go on. He had them doing a partial aerobics workout in his office, toe touching, jumping, running around, tip-toeing...it went on and on!

Surely not all doctors are this thorough?

We, as a family, don't have anything to hide. But I now know, if we go to this doctor I'm going to have to fork out for a referal letter from my docs because I too had post natal depression. I'm also very wary about anybody examining my 4 year old son's genitals when it's not needed in my eyes. And I for one would not have a stranger groping me boobs either...well...then again maybe I would!!

So, anybody know of a doctor in the centre of England who isn't quite so picky??

cheers

bazfer

Hi
I am not sure if Mr Bazfer had to have his testicles checked, but certainly both my sons did. they were 4 and 2 weeks old at time of medical. i think this is very standard. testicular problems are not uncommon, not all being serious.
I did not have my breats checked , but this may have been because i had just given birth. we all had to touch our toes, to check for spine alignment.
I am surprised that they need more info about pnd, but i am sure it won't be a problem. I have a heart prob (minor) but didn't have to get specialist reports. Mr Bazfer has a genetic condition, which causes some probs and is relatively rare, but again we didn't need specialist reports.
sounds as if this Dr is being super thorough, but sorry i don't know of any others to recommend, we are down in somerset.

HiddenPaw

I had my breasts thoroughly checked by the doc for my medical. My hsuband was in the room at the time which made me feel a bit better but I did think it a tad unnecessary - but then again it was a medical so I didn't really think too much of it!!

Good luck!

sj oldfield

My friend definately had her boobies `squeezed`and the males had their testicles checked. My 16 year old is looking forward to this bit, but only if the doctor is female and young. He is such a perv!!!

neal

Hi Tracey.
We went to The Riverside medical Practice in Shrewsbury...hubby is just looking through our bits of paperwork for a doctors name....I didn't have to get undressed at all-no breast exam or anything else potentially dodgy:scared: .
Five year old duaghter barely even knew she was being examined as he just called her over from the toys every so often to check reflexes casually,as you do.
Here we are...Dr Maurice(we THINK)was his name-he was from Mauritious(spelt wrong??!!)if that helps!!!
He was very nice and it was not at all traumatic.
On the subject of post-natal dep.-I declared mine(and subsequent anxiety)AND he found a heart mumur( )but didn't request any further info.I had a long-standing physical health problem and major surgery planned aswell so obtained GP and Specialist letters prior to the meds just to be sure.
Phew...anything else???Hope this helps.Mrs.Neal

Pollyana

Didn't even have the breast exam (this was the Brighton doctor), and nothing approaching aerobics - thank goodness or I'd have failed!! We spent more time discussing the Expats site I think.

joninoxford

The panel doctor near Heathrow is friendly, and he didn't examine my balls so to speak!

sj oldfield

Sh.t, my son is really looking forward to this bit, having his balls felt. Think he needs to find himself a girlfriend!!!

TraceyW

Thanks so much for all of the replies, I shall deffinately call this Riverside Medical ctr tomorrow, I've got the list of panel docts and it's not too far for us....nice day out!!


Like I said before, we're not trying to dodge anything really, neither of us has any horrible illnessess...I would just we all keep our kit on if poss!

Oh, forgot to mention that this doctor in Birmingham also wants your last smear results too!!!! Talk about over eager!!

ANA123

Are you by any chance talking about the Handsworth practice?
If so, we had ours done there and I cant recomend them highly enough. Yes, it involved a breast exam and cough and drop for hubby but I assure you it wasnt a grope! As far as the referal letters go, they advised us to get one about something minor too but only because they said in their experience its the type of thing that holds applications up at later stages.
I know a number of the doctors there in a professional capacity and can honestly say I have more confidence in them than in most in the area.
Hope this reassures you a bit!
Michaela

jensteve

Anyone know what the Wrexham docs like, they do xrays on the same premises, debating on using them, would like a doc that gives you no agro really, I'm upright and walking does that count?
Jenny

tiredwithtwins

hi !!
I wouldnt worry too much about the doctor being thorough - its in your best interest too!!! At least you know that if, 6 months/years down the line, you/hubby/kids found a lump somewhere you have some sort of time scale of how long its been there. Wee boys need their testicles checking...it soooo important, cos undescended testes cause all sorts of problems!! As do the 'big' boys in the family...testicular cancer is treatable if detected early enough, and you know what blokes are like - their hands are down there every waking moment, but its usually the missus who finds the lump.

sorry, I know I sound negative...god, someone shoot me....but these are basic examinations which can save your life. And the doctor aint a perv, he does it so many times a day he probably does it at dinner parties without thinking!!!!

so chin up....get that thorough medical done....just make sure he warms his hands first!!!!!!!!!!!!

sue

Grayling

Sorry Guys
You really cannot expect to have a medical where the Doctor does not examine you

That is his/ Her job.
If you went to your GP you would be worried if he/she did not do a thorough examination. Why expect the Panel doctors to be any different?
It could be a lot more tough I can assure you.I am surprised they do not do Liver function tests /blood counts/internal examinations etc.
I thought our medical was very basic and we are in our 50s.

If you have a real problem ANY doctor will find it so you may as well go to your nearest.
If you fail to declare any condition the Doctor may not find it but if it shows up later you risk having your visa cancelled.
There is no easy way. Just accept it as part of the process.

good luck

G

rumbletum

Hi Tracey

I live in Sutton Coldfield and my family attended a practice in Handsworth Wood in Birmingham. I did have a full breast examination which was not a problem.. in fact it was reassuring that the doctor did it and to know that there were no unusual lumps. My husband didnt have testes checked though.
The doctor was really nice, very good with the children (both girls). My 11 year old needed a CXR and the radiology staff were fantastic as she was quite nervous.
I couldnt fault them and was glad that they were thorough - after all we were paying for this 'MOT'
I think the doctors name was Simon, cant remember, but he was quite young and very professional.
Try not to worry about it, it will be all over before you know it.
The only thing I had to get further info about was some stuff on an old knee injury, but my GP didnt have notes anyway as it was years before, so they didnt bother about it. Signed the forms and my husband collected it all sealed about 10 days later so that we could post them out to Adelaide with our application form.
Regards

arlene

tracey


we went to the same practice, its not as scary as it seems, look on the bright side if you have any problems they pick it up there and then. I found this practice to most professional

as for groping your boobs well he certaibly dosnt do that but you have a full breast exam with a nurse present, all the abdo exam is for is to check for any hernias

all done within a few hours

arlene