Let’s get physical…

Yesterday was medical day, and considering so many applicants seem to get worried about it, I thought I would give an overview of how it went for me in case anybody stumbles upon this blog!

US immigration nominate the Knightsbridge Doctors as the only people who can carry out the visa medical, which means a trip to their rather plush location in Bentick Mansions, Knightsbridge. There’s a buzzer to get in, and the practice itself has beautiful high ceilings and period fireplaces throughout. It is a bit different to my local (but lovely) GP.

Upon entering they asked for all my documents at reception: my medical form, letter from the embassy, passport photos, photo ID and vaccination record. I also had a letter from my doctor about a previous medical condition. There is another form to fill in (apparently this one gets sent to the embassy), and then some waiting around in the waiting room with around 7-8 other people.

There are three main stages to the medical: the chest x-ray, the physical, and the vaccination check. Mine were in that order, and I was called through to the x-ray room first. In only a couple of minutes I had taken my top off, stood against the x-ray plate, held a lead skirt up and had the x-ray taken, before getting dressed and going back to the waiting room. Easy.

I was then called through for the physical, by a very friendly and non-threatening doctor. She ran down the medical form first, checking with me that I didn’t have any heart conditions etc, and then I showed her the letter from my doctors which was fine. Off came my shoes for weighing and height measuring, then sitting on the bed for an eye test, plus a look in my ears and eyes.

After the curtain was pulled it was down to my boxers on the bed for the rest of the physical. A check for moles, of my neck and joints, reflexes and movement was all fine. The blood test was probably the quickest I have ever had, which I was very grateful for, and she had a quick check ‘down below’ which was thankfully all fine too.

She was very talkative the whole way through, asking me about previous injuries and so on but in a very relaxed way. She explained that I had the all clear pending the chest x-ray and blood test (for syphilis), so if I didn’t hear from her by the end of the week everything was fine.

After another brief wait it was time to head to another small room for the vaccination check. I had all my records from my doctors, and was up to date with everything except for flu (which I will have when I get there) and my second MMR booster which is happening in a few days time. Technically I don’t need to have all of my vaccinations up to date for a K1 visa, but I have to when I change my status in the USA, so it is easier to get them sorted now. Back to the waiting room, then to the reception window, and £250 later I was heading back to the underground.

Everybody there was very friendly yet incredibly efficient and professional. They must deal with so many people everyday they have a system that gets you in and out as soon as possible; having all of the required documents checked and ready to go on arrival certainly makes things much easier.

So pending a suprise outbreak of syphilis, or something untoward on my xray, I am ready to go. I have already notified the embassy that the medical was booked, and they should get the results soon. The next step will be the interview, and hopefully getting the all important piece of paper.

The medical is valid for 6 months, which means the timer is now ticking – I will have to be moved by the time it expires!