London Medical - Knightsbridge Doctors

[pdcvcc 0]

I've got my medical tomorrow. Will give you all my review tomorrow or the following day. Feeling a bit nervous but I have my Rusty here with me to look after me now. We're having a look round London for the rest of the day aswell, so that will be awesome! Wish me luck peeps!

Good luck. Too bad we will miss you. Will be down in London next Monday. Coming down from Manchester. Have a great day.

[pdcvcc 0]

Hi guys!! Great review, mine is tomorrow! Eeek! Can I just ask, when they asked you to have the MMR, did you 'have' to have it or not? I just ask cos when I visited my nurse at my doctors and she gave me my vaccine history, even though I've had the MMR when I was a baby she said I may need it again. Is this true? Will I have to pay for it again?

Many thanks,

Rachel & Russ

According to Craigy, he didn't have to. I got the idea that you may need it later in the process (meaning after you get married and we move on to the next phase) but once he gets here, I will put him under my insurance and we will go from there. Anyone else have any thoughts?

[FrostyMist 1]

Hi guys!! Great review, mine is tomorrow! Eeek! Can I just ask, when they asked you to have the MMR, did you 'have' to have it or not? I just ask cos when I visited my nurse at my doctors and she gave me my vaccine history, even though I've had the MMR when I was a baby she said I may need it again. Is this true? Will I have to pay for it again?

For the K1 process, you do not have to have any of the vaccinations. However, you do need to have them for adjustment of status (after you get married).

The reason why it's a good idea to get the vaccinations sorted out and taken care of now is:

1) You can get a lot of the vaccines free on NHS. You might have to pay more if you wait until you're in the US.

2) You will need a civil surgen (someone approved by immigration authoraties) in order to complete the form necessary to say you've had the vaccinations if you wait until you're in the US. I've read a lot of posts on VJ about people having massive problems finding nearby civil surgen, or being charged massive amounts (100's of dollars) in order for the civil surgen to sign a simple form. Knightsbridge doctors will take care of the form without any additional costs - it's all part of the medical.

When I had my medical, they told me that I needed a teatenus booster. I'd been intending to get any necessary vaccinations done when I was there, if told I needed them. But the nurse was very insistent that it was not going to be an inconveniance to me if I did them during AoS, so in the end I declined having any done at the medical.

I was very fortunate: there's a civil surgen VERY close to my fiance, and they'll charge about $30 to complete the form for me when I get over there. I think they quoted about $90 if I want the vaccine done at the same time (so the $30 is the cost I'll pay if I can get the vaccine done here on the NHS and then just take them the proof). Knightsbridge wanted £25 to give me the teatenus booster-so I guess in the end, I will have ended up saving a bit of money - though not that much!-but they would have completed all the necessary paperwork there and then with no extra cost (it's all part of the medical costs)

It would have been much better if my doctor had picked up on the fact my vaccines were out of date when I asked her-but she said they were fine.

Edited December 21, 2009 by FrostyMist

[yorkshirerose22 4]

Hi

Iv to have 2 vaccinations ( MMR n HPV ), i decided to have the MMR done here in the uk by my doctor cause i can get it for free on the NHS, but he wont give me the HPV cause he said i wasnt in the age group (im 23). Me and my fiance decided for me to get HPV in the US but now im regretting it and thinking i should of just got the embasy to do it for £120.

If i get the vaccination here by my doctor or a clinic how do i prove iv had them done?? Like when i adjust my status iv to show proof iv had them done.

[Ricky+Vanessa 43]

Hi

Iv to have 2 vaccinations ( MMR n HPV ), i decided to have the MMR done here in the uk by my doctor cause i can get it for free on the NHS, but he wont give me the HPV cause he said i wasnt in the age group (im 23). Me and my fiance decided for me to get HPV in the US but now im regretting it and thinking i should of just got the embasy to do it for £120.

If i get the vaccination here by my doctor or a clinic how do i prove iv had them done?? Like when i adjust my status iv to show proof iv had them done.

Hi Yorkshirerose,

Sorry, not an answer to your question really. my daughter is 13 and in the age range for the HPV (they have just started doing them at schools now for 12-13 year olds). She will get hers done by school before we go. However, the school nurse told me that HPV was given to them in three stages..I'm just wondering how comes Knightsbridge are only giving one shot (I'm assuming they'll only give you one.

We had our medical today - all went well. Just have to get my gp to send over confirmation that we are up to date with vaccines. I went to the gp on Friday and we got everything (my poor daughter had four shots and I had two) but they didn't charge us anything. We have to back - I need one more MMR and she needs one more Hep B... BUT the nurse would not print confirmation for us until we've had the second. The nurse at Knightsbridge was lovely about it and complete a letter that we give to our GP explaining exactly what we need and that we don't have to wait until we've had the second shots......

If i get the vaccination here by my doctor or a clinic how do i prove iv had them done?? Like when i adjust my status iv to show proof iv had them done.

If you do them at your gp they can print it out for you what you have had. Mine done my daugther's (prior to getting our new injections) and took a matter of minutes. But Knightsbridge probably note it somewhere... I guess. I'm sure one of the more knowledgable on here can answer lol

[yorkshirerose22 4]

Hi Yorkshirerose,

Sorry, not an answer to your question really. my daughter is 13 and in the age range for the HPV (they have just started doing them at schools now for 12-13 year olds). She will get hers done by school before we go. However, the school nurse told me that HPV was given to them in three stages..I'm just wondering how comes Knightsbridge are only giving one shot (I'm assuming they'll only give you one.

We had our medical today - all went well. Just have to get my gp to send over confirmation that we are up to date with vaccines. I went to the gp on Friday and we got everything (my poor daughter had four shots and I had two) but they didn't charge us anything. We have to back - I need one more MMR and she needs one more Hep B... BUT the nurse would not print confirmation for us until we've had the second. The nurse at Knightsbridge was lovely about it and complete a letter that we give to our GP explaining exactly what we need and that we don't have to wait until we've had the second shots......

If you do them at your gp they can print it out for you what you have had. Mine done my daugther's (prior to getting our new injections) and took a matter of minutes. But Knightsbridge probably note it somewhere... I guess. I'm sure one of the more knowledgable on here can answer lol

Im trying to find info on the HPV cause someone said i dont have to have the HPV one done, jus the MMR. apperently they rules changed this month. i made a new topic to findout if this is correct and what other people say. will save alot of money if it is right.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi guys, Craigy & Victoria! Thanks, thats a shame we'll miss you. Bet you can't wait to see each other. Only a few more hours... And you have your interview coming up soon aswell, I see. Let us know how it all goes. Im really nervous about my interview - I'll be going to mine alone

Ok so heres my review everyone, as promised. Nothing out of the ordinary. Bit of a stressful day for me though, but nothing to worry about after all the stressing... We were both really tired, Russ only flew into Birmingham the day before from Newark and hadn't slept for a day before that. We were up on the morning of the medical for 4.30am! We got the coach from Birmingham at 6.45am and arrived in London for about 10am. I felt really really nervous and anxious for some reason on the journey and had an awful time on the coach getting there. Thank god I had my baby to look after me

So eventually, and after some looking around, we made our way to Bond Street tube station. My medical was for 12.50 at Bentinck Mansions and we found it after some searching (all the streets look the same down there) As we were an hour early, once we'd found it, we trundled back down to Oxford Street to look around the shops some more... So the time came and we went back to the Knightsbridge Doctors and found their offices really easily (through the building, on the right). We went through and was met by a sharp sounding voice 'booth number two' she barked! Oh jeez! Immediately, I recognised that this was the crabby recpetionist I'd met with over the phone. Hmmm... She seemed abit peeved that we were early (yes we know, we just want to get it over with) and she directed us to a waiting room, where Russ enjoyed reading a few magazines whilst I filled out the form. I also handed in my passport, vaccine history, completed form and US sized passport photos (which she later cut down to UK size). I was then shortly called into my appointment, early (12.44pm). I went into the room with a friendly nurse who informed me that my MMR and tetanus vaccines were out of date and were required for AOS. She said I would be best to get them done at my local doctors surgery as they would be an additional £60 today. So I opted to get them done later. She made out like it was very easy to just get them done and then submit my proof of having them with my application for AOS (no talk of civil surgeons etc) I asked her if it was fairly straight forward process and whether the paperwork will all comply with US regulations? She said it would be fine, no problem. So I'm a bit unsure about all that now after reading all the info about it above...

Anyway, I was then called into the X ray room by a very friendly, pleasant and professional guy. He made some small talk and asked me to strip from the waist up and put on a gown (I wasnt naked much to Russ' delight lol) Russ later joked no wonder that guys so friendly he get to see boobs all day haha! But no, he didnt after all! Anyway, I did the weird chicken pose and then was asked to stay in the robe and go and wait with Russ in another small waiting room nearby. I was only waiting a few more minutes when I was called in by the doctor, into her office. I cant remember her name but I instantly recognised her as the bossy and direct Asian lady (who's talked about on here quite a bit). When she called me in she was searching for flight info to the US and complaining about how the snow has interferred with her plans to fly the following day. Hmmm... I looked around the room and she still continued to look at flights. 'Wow' I thought! Anyway, first question was... 'have you ever taken illegal drugs?' Taken aback, I said 'no!' Ok, few more general questions... blah blah blah. She then asked me to weigh myself and call the weight back to her as she sat on the computer (still looking at flights, I think) So I did. And then she asked to me to lie on the bed and she came into the little cubicle and she examined my breasts, stomach, fingernails, eyes, ears, throat, engagement ring (?!) etc... She really prodded and poked me, even my ring and made small talk about getting married., how did I meet my fiance (online), when did he propose (April), did he propose online? (er no, at the top of the Statue of Liberty). She seemed a little suprised at that. Why do people always seem shocked that you have 1) been together two years and not 5 mins and 2) that you've made 6 trips each to see each other during that time. Hmmm, but then the dreaded blood sample was taken. Stung a little bit but not half as bad as I imagined (hate blood tests!). And then she scalded me a little for not holding the cotton wool on tight enough but congratulated me on being one step closer to getting married! Yay!!!!! - All done and out the waiting room where I was charged £190 for the pleasure. It all took less than 30 mins.

We then wandered around London and went to Harrods. We also saw the big christmas tree in Trafalgar square. The snow started coming down quite badly and by the time we went to get our coach back to Birmingham at 7.30pm all coaches were delayed (some by 4 hours!) we didnt get home until 1am! Hopped into a taxi in Birmingham to get home (extra expense) and we enjoyed a great nights sleep. Ahhhh, 1 step closer!

Good luck to everyone else with their medical coming up! Hope this review helps someone, I know the others definitely did for me!

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

For the K1 process, you do not have to have any of the vaccinations. However, you do need to have them for adjustment of status (after you get married).

The reason why it's a good idea to get the vaccinations sorted out and taken care of now is:

1) You can get a lot of the vaccines free on NHS. You might have to pay more if you wait until you're in the US.

2) You will need a civil surgen (someone approved by immigration authoraties) in order to complete the form necessary to say you've had the vaccinations if you wait until you're in the US. I've read a lot of posts on VJ about people having massive problems finding nearby civil surgen, or being charged massive amounts (100's of dollars) in order for the civil surgen to sign a simple form. Knightsbridge doctors will take care of the form without any additional costs - it's all part of the medical.

When I had my medical, they told me that I needed a teatenus booster. I'd been intending to get any necessary vaccinations done when I was there, if told I needed them. But the nurse was very insistent that it was not going to be an inconveniance to me if I did them during AoS, so in the end I declined having any done at the medical.

I was very fortunate: there's a civil surgen VERY close to my fiance, and they'll charge about $30 to complete the form for me when I get over there. I think they quoted about $90 if I want the vaccine done at the same time (so the $30 is the cost I'll pay if I can get the vaccine done here on the NHS and then just take them the proof). Knightsbridge wanted £25 to give me the teatenus booster-so I guess in the end, I will have ended up saving a bit of money - though not that much!-but they would have completed all the necessary paperwork there and then with no extra cost (it's all part of the medical costs)

It would have been much better if my doctor had picked up on the fact my vaccines were out of date when I asked her-but she said they were fine.

I still don't understand. Who says exactly that you have to find a civil surgeon? I havent seen anything in the application for AOS at all, neither did the nurse or doctor in London mention anything about it either... Just that I would need to submit my proof of having the vaccine at my local doctors surgery with the application for AOS, to make all of the medical requirements complete.

Is this wrong? And if you believe you need the civil surgeon to complete paperwork, do you mean that is because you will have had the extra vaccines done in the UK (by your own doctor, not Knightsbridge) or is the civil surgeon needed only if you receive the vaccines in the US before applying for AOS??? Its all very unclear. Can anyone give us some good advice about where we stand...?

[FrostyMist 1]

I still don't understand. Who says exactly that you have to find a civil surgeon? I havent seen anything in the application for AOS at all, neither did the nurse or doctor in London mention anything about it either... Just that I would need to submit my proof of having the vaccine at my local doctors surgery with the application for AOS, to make all of the medical requirements complete.

Is this wrong? And if you believe you need the civil surgeon to complete paperwork, do you mean that is because you will have had the extra vaccines done in the UK (by your own doctor, not Knightsbridge) or is the civil surgeon needed only if you receive the vaccines in the US before applying for AOS??? Its all very unclear. Can anyone give us some good advice about where we stand...?

Well, to be honest, I'm not sure where exactly it says that you need to have it taken care of by a civil surgen. I've seen people posting about it at visajourney though, so kinda just assumed that they knew best. I'm sure someone here (that's actually been/is going through the AoS process) could clarify.

RUSSandRACHEL: I'm glad to hear that the medical went without any problems. Another step closer for you both! Sounds like an awfully long day though-I hope the weather isn't too bad when I go for my interview.

[Justine+David 218]

From what I've gathered, most people going through AOS have the medical done state-side or done done in the foreign country whereas for the K1, you have to show proof of the medical again for AOS and it's something really weird like the foreign country uses a different form than the AOS form so you need to have the vaccines on the AOS form and supposedly only a civil surgeon can do that but most of them make you do the entire medical exam over again...

[FrostyMist 1]

and supposedly only a civil surgeon can do that but most of them make you do the entire medical exam over again...

I've read something to that effect, yes.

Our medicals are valid for 12 months, so as long as we apply for (and complete, I assume) AoS before the medical expires, we do not have to have another one. Some civil surgens are apparently uninformed though, and will only agree to complete the vaccination form if the medical is also done by them at the same time.

Maybe this topic will help: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=230389 (I'd completely forgotten I posted that!)

Edited December 23, 2009 by FrostyMist

[Justine+David 218]

Okay, me with no life has spent the last 30 minutes calling the first 15 names at the top of the alphabet list for civil surgeons who don't charge an arm and a leg, lol. 2 found so far!

[obbynox 0]

When we applied for AOS in august this year i didn't bother with a civil surgeon (most people who DON'T have all their vaccines before arrival here usually need the civil surgeon to fill out a form to prove that they have had them since arrival)

I sent photocopies of the vaccinations i had at knightsbridge along with my records prior to that and my AOS is going through. My son needed extra Hep B vaccines stateside, but i just sent a copy of the form he needed for school (filled in by my husbands doc) as evidence with no problems!

Worst case scenario all you will get is an RFE until you get the proper info from the civil surgeon, that was a risk we were willing to take

No medical was needed as ours is good till Feb 2010 and as all your info in the big brown envelope (which we're not allowed to open..lol) is taken from you at POE i'm guessing all the mecidal stuff is there for USCIS to look at!

Selina

[obbynox 0]

When we applied for AOS in august this year i didn't bother with a civil surgeon (most people who DON'T have all their vaccines before arrival here usually need the civil surgeon to fill out a form to prove that they have had them since arrival)

I sent photocopies of the vaccinations i had at knightsbridge along with my records prior to that and my AOS is going through. My son needed extra Hep B vaccines stateside, but i just sent a copy of the form he needed for school (filled in by my husbands doc) as evidence with no problems!

Worst case scenario all you will get is an RFE until you get the proper info from the civil surgeon, that was a risk we were willing to take

No medical was needed as ours is good till Feb 2010 and as all your info in the big brown envelope (which we're not allowed to open..lol) is taken from you at POE i'm guessing all the mecidal stuff is there for USCIS to look at!

Selina

This is the UK A.O.S thread, has lots of much needed info

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=189022

[FrostyMist 1]

Okay, me with no life has spent the last 30 minutes calling the first 15 names at the top of the alphabet list for civil surgeons who don't charge an arm and a leg, lol. 2 found so far!

Have you tried this link: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=of...office_type=CIV

You can find a civil surgen close to where you'll be living in the US from that page.

obbynox: Thanks for the information. I am going to get the rest of my vaccines done before I leave on the K1, so hopefully it'll be as easy as yours was to sort out.