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Medical Problems

Medical Problems

Old Oct 29th 2004, 10:51 am
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Default Medical Problems

Hi,
We are currently in the process of applying for our skilled independent VISA, we've been called for our medicals which are in december. However, a couple of weeks ago my wife had a sever asthma attack and ended up being resusitated in hospital and then in intensive care. She's fine and home now and on new medication which should prevent this from happening again. Obviuosly we are very worried about failing our medicals. Does anyone know whether we should just go for our medicals regardless, postpone them or anaything else we should do.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Steve2000
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Old Oct 29th 2004, 11:57 am
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Default Re: Medical Problems

Originally Posted by steve2000
Hi,
We are currently in the process of applying for our skilled independent VISA, we've been called for our medicals which are in december. However, a couple of weeks ago my wife had a sever asthma attack and ended up being resusitated in hospital and then in intensive care. She's fine and home now and on new medication which should prevent this from happening again. Obviuosly we are very worried about failing our medicals. Does anyone know whether we should just go for our medicals regardless, postpone them or anaything else we should do.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Steve2000
Hi Steve,

When I went for my medical I obviously told the dr I had asthma (last hospitalised in 1993 and only in for a weekend) but he still suggested I see a chest consultant. Whether her asthma is well controlled or chronic they still like a report from a chest physician. The Dr who does your medicals doesn't make the final decision as to whether your fit for the visa, thats down to the medical board at DIMIA. Just make sure you go to the medical with as much info from your wifes consultant as possible, it'll save them having to request a report which takes ages. Ask the consultant monday for the medical report (its normally free from the NHS), to be sent to you which you can then give to the dr at your medical. DIMIA like evidence for everything, if you have a problem with your toe, they want a specialist report of your toe!!! They have to cover everything, best wishes
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Old Oct 29th 2004, 12:26 pm
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Default Re: Medical Problems

Me again, with my usual epic spiel on medicals.

Firstly, has your wife suffered from asthma for some time, or did this come out of the blue? If it's never happened before and she has been referred for follow-up, then I'd advise you to wait until you have a consultant's report and test results etc.

Asthma shouldn't cause any problems for your medical. I have asthma and hypothyroidism, so I've done a bit of research. Any applicant who is on medication or receiving ongoing treatment, or has a lifelong condition such as asthma will be placed in Category B on the medical. All this usually means is a slight delay in processing as the forms have to be passed to a Commonwealth Medical Officer by DIMIA for approval. Seems to take about 3 weeks if it's straightforward.

Anyone with a condition currently requiring medication or treatment should, according to the wording on the meds form, take along a letter from your GP or consultant stating

when the condition was diagnosed
what the treatment entails (eg medication and dosage)
the current situation
prognosis

It is also a good idea to take along copies of any consultant reports from the hospital and copies of the results of any tests. You can ask for these from your GP - there is usually a charge for the photocopying (PM me if you want more details on how to do this). Take it all along to the medical and you should save yourself and expensive trip to a private specialist.

Main thing is, don't panic about it. Get all the info you can via the NHS and then get the medical. It's very unlikely to damage your application. At worst, it may (rarely) mean signing a health undertaking which means that you only have 6 months to get to Oz rather than a year and you have to register with a hospital there.

I hope your wife gets better - as a fellow asthmatic, I sympathise. Does she swim? It's the only thing that sorts mine out.

Shout if you want more info - I've got loads!
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Old Oct 29th 2004, 12:32 pm
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Default Re: Medical Problems

Thanks very much - i'll let her know which will hopefully put her mind at rest as panicking about the medical is the last thing she needs at the mo. She's seeing a chest specialist before the medical so we'll get a report from him. She's always had asthma but this is the first major problem - it looks like its been mismanaged by gp really so hopefully the specialist will be able to say that with the right medication the outlook will be ok
Thanks again
steve
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Old Oct 29th 2004, 12:33 pm
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Default Re: Medical Problems

This link might help put her mind at ease too.....the offical stuff from DIMIA

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...se#post1030743
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