London Medical - Knightsbridge Doctors

[Brit Abroad 166]

Correct on the I-693a, it's now defunct and the DS-3025 is transcribed by the Civil Surgeon, onto another I-693.

I was really lucky to discover the Straub Clinic in Honolulu. They will do the vaccination signoff onto the I-693 for $24.05 without needing the full medical again.

The specialist nurse I spoke to (Elisa) was extremely knowledgeable and went through the completed 693 with me. It turns out that your AoS application ONLY requires the following criteria to be met:-

Tuberculin Skin Test(TST)

Typhoid and Diptheria (Td, Tdap, DTP, DT, DTaP) - optional Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Everything else is age appropriate (check the CDC website for age specific vaccinations) and goes under the blanket waiver request by the Civil Surgeon.

With multi-part vaccinations, provided you have had the first and the subsequent vaccinations are not due at the time of CS appointment, then they will sign it off and it should be acceptable to USCIS.

Major thing to remember is that the signed off I-693 from the Civil Surgeon must be sealed and signed OVER the seal. It should be addressed to USCIS and marked DO NOT OPEN.

Apologies, I would've updated my original post but was not offered an Edit option.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Tuberculin Skin Test(TST)

Typhoid and Diptheria (Td, Tdap, DTP, DT, DTaP) - optional Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Everything else is age appropriate (check the CDC website for age specific vaccinations) and goes under the blanket waiver request by the Civil Surgeon.

But the problem is, that as far as everyone is aware, the CS won't transcribe the TST results onto the I-693. If your CS in Honalulu does, then please post his/her addy right here!

[JeremyR 8]

This is a very retrospective report but I figured one more review couldn't hurt

I had my medical at the Bentnick St office in Feb '08. Turned up in plenty of time thinking that it didn't hurt to be a bit early. Like my subsequent interview, I turned up in a shirt and smart trousers to find that it wasn't really necessary. My mother commented before I left that it would probably be the most expensive doctor's appointment I'd ever keep and she was probably right. They took my 180 quid before the exam, which I thought was a bit off but didn't knew better than to question them. I also handed over my passport and photos, completed medical form, etc. I had checked with them on the phone beforehand and they told me a British size photo was just fine so don't worry about wasting an expensive US one. Phone and ask to be sure, it was a while ago.

I don't know why they bother asking you to fill in the questionnaire beforehand, they give you another one with exactly the same questions on it when you arrive. Maybe they're looking for discrepancies, and inconsistencies, who knows .

There was lots of waiting but I guess as visa applicants, we're good at that. I had the sense to bring a book with me . There were a couple of other people there but they weren't exactly busy. After about 20 minutes, I was called to have my x-ray which was easy enough although that plate sure was cold! Then it was back to waiting some more. There was a lady in the second waiting room and we 'chatted visa' for a bit. She was going to Chicago if I remember rightly.

The doctor was a South African lady who was fairly nice and friendly. She wanted to know about the depression I mentioned on the form. I told her that a lot of it stemmed from my difficult childhood but that I was past that and that my current symptoms were down to the fact that I was living 4026.4 miles from my fiancée (come on, we all measure it on Google Earth, don't we? ). She seemed satisfied that I wasn't dangerous or anything and tipex'd out the 'yes' on the form and ticked 'no' on my behalf. She said she would write to my GP to get his confirmation of what I'd told her but I checked and they never did contact him...

Vaccinations I had prepared for and had done at my regular GP who couldn't decide whether it was a travel vaccination or not and in the end decided to charge me a token five quid for each of the two MMR shots. They couldn't seem to understand why I wanted an MMR to go to the USA - I used the printout of the vaccination chart on the London Embassy website to show them I really did need it. I got a DTP for free also from my regular doctor because I was overdue a tetanus jab anyway.

The medical part of the exam was over in a few minutes, eyesight, height, weight (I was a little concerned that I'm quite underweight but she wasn't bothered), listen to heart, drop your pants, turn-your-head-and-cough and that was it. She took blood from my arm while I was still lying on the bed because I forewarned her that I was liable to faint ( ) if she did it with me sitting.

And that was that, 10 minutes at most and I was out. I'd scheduled the medical in plenty of time (a month or more) from my interview so. I was told that the doctors would only contact me again if there was cause for concern with the x-ray or blood test and that pending those results, I was passed.

I suppose the thing I most worried about was that I have Asperger's. I ummed and ahhed for a very long time whether or not I should declare it in the delightfully titled 'mental defect' section. In the end, I decided not to, deciding that they were only looking for conditions that make a person dangerous or a drain on the state (of which I am neither ) so I left it off. I'd recommend that others in my shoes do the same, it's not the kind of thing they're looking for but if you want to be sure, talk it over with the doctor but if you choose that route, make sure you take a signed letter from your regular GP stating that you're not dangerous or a liable drain on society.

I had my interview in late March, flew to the USA in May and married my in July

[Laura+Tom 2]

Looks like the embassy has just added this information about the medical to it's website.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/...V018a_Oct08.pdf

You get to it via this link http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/medexam.html and clicking on the middle link in the 'More' box on the right hand side of the screen.

Edited January 31, 2009 by Laura+Tom

[paul. 0]

I had my medical today at Bentinck Mansions. I had Dr. Syad, the Asian lady. Very professional, to the point, but a touch too critical of my lifestyle for my personal likings. I was told that I was obese because I have a high BMI. In actual fact, I have a small belly going, but I'm a 6'3" rugby prop forward, so most of it isn't fat...

Added to the minor issue of being obese, I had an extremely high blood pressure. I think it was mainly due to rushing to the appointment on foot from Great Portland street at Mach 2 as I tried to be on time and the fact that in my rush to leave the house this morning I took both lemsip flu pills for today, instead of just one as I've had a pretty nasty cold the last week. I can't believe I did that, it was an absolute accident, but all the medicine really turned up my BP and I got marked down for that too.

Finally, as I have an alcohol-related offense, I was made to feel like a complete alcoholic as I'd had 1 pint the day before the medical, as I told her that I do not drink to excess anymore as my job is a helicopter pilot and it isn't worth my career to be found under the influence of alcohol, so I basically don't drink. Well cue the fact I'd had one the night before with friends and again, I should have thought but I was nervous and she made me feel quite little about the fact that I had "lied" to her, stating that alcoholics mask there drinking habits and she had to consider that I might be masking it.

Nevertheless, I had to have bloods taken to ensure I'm not a raving alcoholic and I have to have my GP check my BP regularly until it is at an acceptable level. Luckily, I made this appointment about 2 months before a potential interview, so even if there is an issue, I have time to solve it.

Total cost:

180 for the medical

60 for vacs

40 for bloods

280 quid total cost!

Quite annoyed with the way it went. Mainly with myself for making some rather silly mistakes in my personal administration, but slightly at the Doctor for being quite rude about the way I live my life. Advice is one thing, but making you feel downright stupid is not on.

Top tips: don't drink for a week before the medical, don't rush to get there - give yourself plenty of time, ensure you budget more than the basic 180 or you could be in trouble.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

I cant understand why they charged you to take blood, that is part of the medical and is included in the £180. I had my blood taken, well we all do and I was not chared just paid the £180 as I had my jabs for free at my docs

Sorry you had a bad experience

[Big Papa Zone 93]

. I was told that I was obese because I have a high BMI. In actual fact, I have a small belly going, but I'm a 6'3" rugby prop forward, so most of it isn't fat...

Me too. I'm not a rugby player, but I am 6'3" with a small belly going on. And I'm not obsese either. Stupid cow.

Finally, as I have an alcohol-related offense, I was made to feel like a complete alcoholic

I'm feeling serious empathy here, Paul. You're a good lad.

she made me feel quite little about the fact that I had "lied" to her, stating that alcoholics mask there drinking habits and she had to consider that I might be masking it.

I get this sh!t all the time too, ffs. ###### do-gooders.

[Laura+Tom 2]

I cant understand why they charged you to take blood, that is part of the medical and is included in the £180. I had my blood taken, well we all do and I was not chared just paid the £180 as I had my jabs for free at my docs

Sorry you had a bad experience

They probably took extra blood for the alcohol reason as the normal blood they take is to test for HIV etc.

But being a private practice I'm sure they can charge what they want for 'extra services'.

[paul. 0]

Laura+Tom, exactly. They have to screen my kidneys, liver and blood for alcohol misuse signs. Bloody hell, I was in the Army for 11 years, I'm scared shitless!

The thing that bothered me, wasn't that she thought I was a possible alco, as she was just doing her job with that I guess, but the fact she thought that when I said I didn't think 6 pints in one night was a lot, she gave me a stern lecture about how British culture is f-ed up and disgusting and how she's never had that many units in a week, let alone a night...I just thought, "well you haven't lived, love". So it's a conflict of cultures, because her culture clearly isn't British and mine is British of the worst kind I guess, squaddie and all.

Now I've had a good sleep, I'm not feeling too awful about being an obese alco tho...I'm just craving a night out with a good donner kebab at the end of it!!

Edited February 13, 2009 by paul.

[Terri and Seb 0]

Ugh, sorry to hear you had such a tough time of it at the medical, Paul.

Sebastian never posted his experience in here- but they sure bruised his arm up when they drew blood! He had the Irish doctor at Knightsbridge.

[miss g 1]

hey i have just made the appointment for my medical for THIS THURSDAY

[silvermoondust 0]

Sebastian never posted his experience in here- but they sure bruised his arm up when they drew blood! He had the Irish doctor at Knightsbridge.

Funny about that, my dh had the irish doc too, and before his blood was drawn he was told that it could be a "bruiser." He didn't really get a big bruise on his arm.

[miss g 1]

how long does the medical tend to take

[Talyss 0]

I was there for about 30-40 minutes, that included all the waiting.

[miss g 1]

nice one . thanks!!!! thursday-here we come!!!