Phil.n.Wendy

Hi Guys,

Been on here for a while now.. and loving the site, its very useful. I haven't even submitted the EOI yet as we are little hung up over my wife's medical condition as she had cervical cancer 5yrs ago the application states that you need to notify them if you partner has any condition that requires ongoing treatment or medication.. would this be a 'No' as she is not on any ongoing treatments or medications because the cancer was removed 5yrs ago and there has been no re-occurence since.

We have been in touch with a couple of Immigration companies and they all seem to think that we will be passed on to the MA... would this still be the case, even though she will not be a burden on the state.

Some help would be appreciated as we are not too sure which way to go!! .

Phil & Wend

chippy64

I would say only give them the info they ask for. If you do not have to declare your wife's previous medical condition then don't!
I have posted threads on here about my family's involvement with the MA - specialists and x-rays for my son's growing pains (Osgood Schlatters) which cost a small fortune.
So, don't lie but don't reveal anything more than you have to IMO.

Paula2007

From memory - when I filled in my medical questionnaire - there is a section that asks if you have had any operations, dates, reason for operation etc., If your wife had some medical procedure for her cervical cancer then this is where she would have to put the information. No point in concealing it, you have to be honest - it will probably be referred to the MA - but then she can give all her evidence, letter from her Consultant "To whom it may concern" - giving the prognosis that you have just mentioned.

I was referred to the MA on two medical conditions and had to get extra evidence before I was granted PR. Good luck.

JohnThePom

Both of the previous posters are right. Don't disclose anything that you don't have to, but don't hide anything either. The medical screening can be quite picky and they play it by the letter and by the book. This doesn't, however mean that this history is going to be a problem. It often means that they do go for second opinions and involve their own specialists in reviewing the reports. If anything does prove to be an issue there is always the route of a medical waiver.

From what you've said, I doubt that there would be a problem, but don't be surprised if you have to jump through some hoops before they admit it.

WP

sophiedb

hi Phil & Wendy,

I very rarely drop by this forum, but might be able to "help" a little - and apologies in advance because I might make this all sound a bit depressing.

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in late 2007, was given the all-clear almost exactly 1 year later and my only treatment now is relpacement thyroxine (since my thyroid was surgically removed and the remnants blasted with radiation!). My husband and daughter are NZ citizens.

I applied for residence via partnership in December 2009 and have been referred to the MA 3 times so far. Hopefully I will hear the latest response very soon, but tbh I'm starting to gear up for a medical waiver application. This is only my guess based on my consultant's replies to the MA and what it says in the NZIS Operations Manual about cancers though, and of course varies from one case to another.

I have rather pedantically (sorry!) described my fun and games with NZ House here on the ENZ forum.

The most detailed questions the MA asked that could be applied to any history of cancer are:

• percentage risk of local recurrence
• typical time course and potential treatments required
• typical median survival
• comment on risks of distant recurrence and treatment required
• outline the follow-up schedule re frequency and type of tests.

The main thing they seem to look for is whether a consultant is willing to state that the patient has a <10% chance of recurrence, and whether they will cost the NZ health service over NZ$25,000 in the first 4 years of residence. Personally I seem to fall close to those two definitions, so am not sure where I'll fall.

Hope this helps a little - maybe worth talking to your wife's consultant, as s/he should be able to give you a fairly good idea.

Soph x

BEVS

Hi Phi & Wendy. Welcome to BE

Have you seen THIS OTHER THREAD which you might find useful or helpful reading.

Sophiedb - you might also find it particularly interesting given your application.

There is a list of medical conditions in the NZIS operations manual which are deemed to pose possible significant costs to NZ. Cancer is one of them. However, there are exceptions to this.

I'd suggest that there would be a medical referral so best start getting your medical and consultant reports together to show you are all clear for 5 years now and unlikely to cost 'em a cent.

Teeym is the man on this subject as you will see from the thread I have pointed you to.

BEVS

I'll also add that where a case might prove difficult it can be worthwhile seeking a licensed specialist immigration consultant to help present the case.

sophiedb

hi BEVS,

I have already sent in most of my medical records with my application (courtesy of a nice £50 fee to the hospital) and so far the MA hasn't taken any notice of them, it would seem. I also showed my consultant the Ops Manual text before going to the panel doctor, and he wrote a letter (with reports included) to say that he felt confident that I was satisfactorily cured to their definition. And yet I'm still waiting *sigh*

The questions that have come back from the MA are so specific and pedantic that my consultant is starting to get a bit miffed that someone is questioning his professional opinion! They have been specific enough that some of the percentages he's replied with are no longer within the 90% cured that NZIS want to see though, despite his attempts to say that recurrence is unlikely. But then that's why I need annual blood tests.

I have read Teeym's thread too, now - lucky fella I want a big blue sticker as well!

BEVS

Nightmare ! Sounds like you got the pickiest of the few MA's there are.

Have you considered professional help with this?

Jan & Neil used Lane Neave with great results.

sophiedb

Not really - we're waiting for the next decision, and if it's a no I'll go for a waiver, but based on their policy regarding spouses of Kiwis (i.e. let 'em in unless at death's door or undergoing pricey treatment - which I'm not) I reckon we'll be ok.

BEVS

Good. Tell 'em to get a move on then.

By the way. I'm Bournemouth born and bred.

sophiedb

Heyhey, me too! Just shuttled next door in adult life, after some gallivanting about