Medical Exam at Woking Clinic Vancouver Experience!

[BlueBonnet 84]

I have a Vancouver Medical review done up in my time line if youre interested aswell.

[kaibosh 3]

I have a Vancouver Medical review done up in my time line if youre interested aswell.

Thanks, I'll take a look, hope to meet a few other VJ's during my medical

[Jess&Tim 0]

Thanks for the review, my medical in Van is on the 20th of July, At what point did you pay? Did they need 2 copies or did you just bring 2 in case you lost one?

I paid after the physical. I just brought two copies because I was paranoid about losing/ruining one. You do need 3 passport photos though.

[kaibosh 3]

Just a quick review of the Woking Medical Services.

I had my medical today, so thought I would let other people who are heading there soon how it went. My friend and I got there just after 530am, and there were 5 people ahead of us. They let us in at 6:10am, and there were quite a few people by then (around 20). We went up the elevators since we had a stroller, but you could take the stairs as well to the second floor. Then we got our numbers for the day from the office in the back right corner of the room. Some people managed to budge a bit while getting their numbers, so I ended up getting the 8th number.

After they explained the procedure for the day, we filled out two forms. These forms are very easy to do, and shouldn't take too much time. Then it was off to the bloodwork lab down the hallway. I think they open at 7:15am or so, so there is a bit of a wait. They called us in by numbers, which worked well since most people were not done yet. I am a bit of a chicken when it comes to needles, but they were very friendly and calming there.

Then it was off to the x-ray. This was called by our names, so I am not sure what the order was, it was not alphabetical. But I have a feeling they called from the last to come, since physicals were happening at the same time, and that was going by your number. This was a little strange since you are required to undress from the waist up, and put on a paper/fabric gown on top. I was with a another lady at the same time, so I felt fine, but if you have mixed genders at the same time, it might be a little awkward. The x-ray itself was super quick and painless.

Then we waited for the physical. Dr. Langley did mine, and it was very quick and not intrusive. She was very nice and easy to feel comfortable around. She checked eye, throat, ears, thyroid, spine, blood pressure, heartbeat, general posture etc. She also did a breast exam, but I think if you are under a certain age they do not. I am not sure of that age though, since one nurse I wouldn't need to, but then she did anyways. After that, a nurse checks your vision, weight, and height.

All in all, I was done around 8:30am, and had to come back between 1:15-1:30 to get results. Everything was ready then. Oh, and the x-rays are now on a disc which is pretty neat, I was expecting to carry around a tube for the rest of the day.

Everything who worked there was very nice and patient I felt. As long as you bring what they ask for, it will all be good!

Just a question, did you try and get the medical covered by insurance at all? I have sun life threw my work and just gave them a call, they said to ask for a copy of what was done at the lab, they dont need the results but to mail it in and at the very least they would cover the blood tests being done, do you know if you can get a record of what was done from them or not?

[Jess&Tim 0]

Just a question, did you try and get the medical covered by insurance at all? I have sun life threw my work and just gave them a call, they said to ask for a copy of what was done at the lab, they dont need the results but to mail it in and at the very least they would cover the blood tests being done, do you know if you can get a record of what was done from them or not?

No I didn't try to get it covered by my insurance. I knew it wasn't covered. You get a record of your vaccinations, and I think I got a receipt for the payment, that was all.

[lambtoast 0]

Has anyone else been thoroughly confused re the surgery and hospitalizations re the Woking medical website? It says on there

Bring physician's letters regarding any C H R O N I C illness, MAJOR surgeries or any hospitalizations.

If your information is incomplete, YOUR CASE WILL BE DEFERRED.

Major surgery usually involves an overnight stay and/or anesthesia. Your records should include the reason for surgery, the outcome

and prognosis. Please note that C-section birth, tonsilectomy, appendectomy, arthroscopic knee surgery, breast implants or wisdom teeth removal are

not considered major surgery.

If you have a Chronic Illness EITHER PAST OR PRESENT, bring information about your diagnosis, treatment and current status of your condition.

Ensure you bring enough information to clearly outline your history and current condition or your case will be deferred until the proper information is received.

Patients who have previously tested positive for TB & HIV must bring good documentation regarding the current status and treatment records.

MAJOR surgeries OR hospitalizations!??? MAKE UP YOUR MIND... where else are you having minor surgery? In a van??? And without anesthesia?? I don't have one family Dr.. so I am unable to get all my records. I am starting to freak out now. My medical is Wednesday and I fly to Montreal Sunday...

Do they ask you for your consent to access medical records on your forms at the medical?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You can be hospitalized for reasons other than surgery .

What surgeries have you had? List them and decide if they are major or minor. If you had day surgery even with anaesthesia and you didn't stay overnight, that doesn't count. If you had to stay overnight in a hospital because of surgery or because of an illness, they want to have to know the reason to make sure it isn't related to one of the conditions that make you ineligible for a visa. There aren't very many of those, especially for Canadians, so it shouldn't cause you any problems.

The Medical exam - which is probably the least comprehensive medical I have ever had in my life - is to decide if you a) have a medical condition that puts American's at risk from exposure to you and/or b) you have a class B condition that might make you a liability on the US taxpayer if you don't have health insurance coverage. I suspect they have had many people show up with incomplete medical histories and so are requesting documentation beforehand to make sure they are able to get a complete medical history.

If you stayed overnight in hospital and you don't have a doctor, you can get a statement from the hospital about the circumstances, treatment and results. If you have a chronic condition like I do (diabetes) you would probably already have a doctor of some sort treating you since there is an ongoing treatment protocol. If you need to take any prescription medicine on a regular basis, they wish to know about it and why. The treating doctor would provide that in a letter and you could bring in a copy of your prescription.

If you do not have any of the above concerns, then you should be fine. All of my surgeries have been done as an out-patient and were not a problem. I had two extended hospital stays due to other conditions and they were not a problem either. They just want to make sure they have a good overall picture of your health so they can make the proper decision.

You should be fine. Relax

(for clarification purposes, I didn't have my medical at this particular facility, but the medical requirements are standard for all Panel Physicians).

Edited November 15, 2011 by Kathryn41

[lambtoast 0]

Well I had my wisdom teeth out - then had a bleed as complication that had to be cauterized and then got a bacterial infection from hospital which I am on antibiotics for.. yes.. NIGHTMARE... So not really sure.... taking my medical records for this event - hopefully that's enough. Do they ask you to sign for permission to access your medical files?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

No signature requesting access to medical records. They don't go looking for them. If they require any, you have to get them, they won't . Your wisdom teeth situation doesn't count as major surgery. You can make reference to the fact that you had your wisdom teeth out, developed an infection and required antibiotics. If you have your records, bring them but I really doubt they will require them If you are still on antibiotics when you have the exam, bring them with you to show to the doctor. Again, it should not be a problem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

moderator hat on:

I noticed there were two separate threads on medical experiences at the same Vancouver clinic so I have merged them together into one to make the information more accessible.

Edited November 15, 2011 by Kathryn41

[lambtoast 0]

Thank you! Greatly appreciated. You know how things tend to seem VERY overwhelming when you are down to final stages.... plus I am JUST coming out of this month long medical nightmare now.

[dukeandduchess 141]

They don't care about surgeries unless you stayed overnight. I believe it even says wisdom teeth are exempt from the list. I had exploratory surgery (Lap) on my abdomen but was released the same day. I asked the nurse if that needed to be listed and she said no. I did *not* bring records with me. I have a weird pain condition that has no diagnoses but is controlled through medication. I never mentioned it because my specialist said it's not a "condition" and told me I didn't need a letter. If you ramble on and on like me it's best to just say nothing instead of opening a can of worms.

That said, don't lie either.

[dukeandduchess 141]

BTW this medical is a joke. I've had more thorough exams for a cold. If you're worried though bring your records and ask them how you should write it down.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thank you! Greatly appreciated. You know how things tend to seem VERY overwhelming when you are down to final stages.... plus I am JUST coming out of this month long medical nightmare now.

Absolutely . If it didn't mean so much you would be taking it all in much easier stride. Oh yes, we've all 'been there, done that'. In many ways, the visa process is the hardest of all of the immigration steps because you are apart while going through it and you worry about every little thing that might contrive to keep you apart.

As dukeandduchess mentioned, the medical really isn't that big of a deal. I honestly felt it was the easiest earned money the doctor has ever made because there was such a minimal amount of 'examination' done. There are x-rays and blood work and a very, very , very basic physical (yep, she's breathing, yep, she's a she) and then the medical history and vaccination history. It sounds like the situation with your wisdom teeth was a nightmare. I'm glad its behind you now.

Good luck and don't worry about the medical. You'll be fine.

[lambtoast 0]

thanks guys - I really appreciate you putting my mind at ease! oxo