Medical review/rant - Dr Cheema in Surrey

[broppy 204]

I've been lurking on this forum since February 2015 when we started the IR1 process. So far, all the existing information has been extremely helpful and I've never felt the need to actually register and post. But today's experience is so frustrating that I finally caved.

Good news. Case complete some time last month, called NVC and got interview date Jan 5. P4 email arrived last week. Booked the medical with Dr Cheema by email and got a date/time that actually worked for me - I'm in Calgary, so late enough in the day that I could fly in and out same day.

And even better, flights were on time. Got a cab from the airport and spent an hour at Timmies on 72 Ave just around the corner from his building, then wandered over the road and walked in about 30 mins early.

Paperwork was easy. I had P4 letter, email confirmation that I'd done the Canada Post registration, passport, driver's license, vaccination records (flu shot record from Shopper's and an AHS immunisation record for MMR and DTaP), and verbal confirmation that I'd had chicken pox as a kid.

The medical itself was a joke. Height, weight, very basic eyesight check (with specs on). Dr Cheema then asked about my medical history (a whole bunch of nos), took blood pressure, kinda waved a stethoscope at my chest, and proded my abdomen. That was it! Then back to the reception desk to collect forms for blood and x-ray tests. I didn't even get the spiel about the labs being 12 blocks away and how to get there.

I walked, and 30 mins later, got to the labs (8425 Scott Rd/120 St). Did the x-ray first (ground floor, unit 104). Just walked in, presented the paperwork from Dr Cheema at the desk, and was finished within 15 mins.

Then upstairs to unit 201 for bloodwork. Just take a ticket from the machine when you walk in, then sit and wait (30 mins for me around noon - you might be able to go upstairs, get a ticket, get the x-ray, then go back upstairs - if your number's already gone, take another ticket). If you're not from BC and don't have a CareCard, they'll want to see photo ID (which you already have, right?).

That's it. Done. Finished. Taxi back to the airport and home.

Now the rant. That cost me the best part of $1000 (flights, medical fees, taxis, courier, airport parking). And a day off work. For what? The bloodwork only tests for syphilis and the x-ray is for TB - both of which are virtually unheard of here. At least NVC lets you scan documents and email them. Why can't I do that with vaccination records too?

[kdc0224 7]

To continue this ranting, yes, it was annoying to shell out $300 just for Dr. Mascarenhas to spend 5 minutes with me confirming that I don't have any physical or mental illness, addictions, etc. He didn't even perform any checks for me, just asked if I was healthy and if I had any illnesses to report. It's kind of ridiculous they ask this from Canada, as if our health care was so bad, but I guess they can't start filtering countries and civil surgeons. It's just good to be done with it.

Good luck with the interview!

[NikLR 13,231]

Yup I figured out it was just as expensive for me to go to Montreal for a week as it was to travel to Vancouver (either by car or by plane) for the overnight medical. I chose to stay in Montreal for a week. (I was going from central Alberta BTW, so flying out of Calgary or Edmonton, it didn't matter on the prices; and my car wasn't an economy vehicle doing 40mpg... more like 25-30 tops on the highway.)

In the end I could have flown back and forth from Montreal twice for the cost but it was a nice little vacation.

Edited December 12, 2015 by NLR

[MASH 172]

I was lucky I lived in Vancouver so I only paid $20 for gas an i agree over $300 for a simple check up is crazy , they need medical office in each province like Ontario has millions of them and BC only has one and some places have none it's crazy

Edited December 17, 2015 by MASH