British Expatriate Network

Hi everyone,

Can anyone tell me how stringent the Medical examination is? 4 years ago I slipped a disc and was Medically discharged from the forces. With time my back has become a whole lot better but on some days does ache, is this going to fail me on the medical, exactly how thorough is it?

Any idea, pointers would be great!

Thanks in advance

Jasper!

I got the impression they were looking for communicable diseases more than anything.

It seemed to be fairly comprehensive though as I recall. I was particularly uncooperative when it came time for the doctor to grab my liver!

Don't think the back thing should cause you any problems. As Pilgrim says they're looking for communicable diseases. The blood test is very comprehensive, Hiv virus, TB, stuff like that. Mind when you fill in the form and they ask you dumb questions, have you ever harboured ideas of assinating the president, blowing up an airoplane, don't be sarcy, they don't get it.
In fact this is the only country I know where on job forms some dimwits actually say yes to illegal drug use.

Shouldn't be a problem for the entry medical. Doubt they'd notice. Our medicals were pathetic in their completeness.

Might cause you a little grief with health insurance, though.

All the above, a job or two and a chest x-ray which you will be required to bring with you in your hand luggage in case immigration want to see it when you land. They won't. Don't worry, just formalities unless you have some horrible disease.

Thanks to everyone you've nearly put my mind at rest! One more thing, my wife miscarried 7 times as you can imagine this was hard. The seventh was carried and lost at 28 weeks this nearly led to me having a breakdown and I spent a good year on Anti depressents, I came off of them also 4 years back. It was a culmination of back injury and the losses of our babies that lead to this.

I'm thinking that depression is a form of mental illness, so how do I stand now? oops

Thanks again guys.

Jasper

I certainly wouldn't worry about the depression. It certainly doesn't have the stigma associated with it here that it has in the UK.
You are almost abnormal if you haven't had help for some kind of mental health issue here.

Thank you Wendl! :grin:

Jasper

she's right, you know......

You'll be OK. One thing that I found a nuisance with my medical on this side of the pond though Like most others from the U.K., I've had a TB innoculation, but couldn't find the certificate. They do a test for this over here, and if you've had the innoculation, the test will turn up positive. I then had to pay for a chest X-ray to prove I was clear. So don't forget your certificate.

Thanks everyone for replying!

I don't know what I'd have done if I hadn't come across this board, probably chewing my finger nails.

Jasper grin

Thanks everyone for replying!

I don't know what I'd have done if I hadn't come across this board, probably chewing my finger nails.

Jasper grin

Anyone want to buy my chest x ray?

I think the quacks over here are more interested in diseases that you can give to people.

/you can't catch schizophrenia so you should be good

Unless the disease is catching immigration aren't interested. Now the Insurance companies are another matter. Deny everything, they won't cover for pre-existing conditions. You weren't depressed, you were a bit miserable. You didn't slip a disc, you put your back out lifting something too heavy. Just spend a lot of time looking surprised and saying how modern American medicine is, and it is, you'll fit right in.