Alex Clark

Hi Scarlett,

Checked out the www.sss.gov website and although I will need to register, I
suspect I'd never be affected by the drafting process anyway. I'll be 25 in
May (and may not even have my GC by then depending on how long AOS takes),
and aliens need to be resident at least one year before qualifying for
drafting (which puts me at almost 26, i.e. outside the normal age range).
If things are bad enough that they need to draft an old fogie like 26 year
old me, then it might be the wisest choice to fight for the country anyway
;-)


> Ever fancied seeing Iraq......

>>Google is a wonderful thing

Indeed it is - in fact I checked out Iraq using Google Earth and decided
that's the closest I want to get to it thanks! :-)


Kind Regards,
Alex

Lansbury

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 14:27:47 GMT, "Alex Clark" <> wrote:

>I'll soon be booking an appointment at the London medical practice to have
>my medical interview. I have to admit that I really don't enjoy setting
>foot in a doctor's office, particularly if I don't know what to expect. Can
>anyone offer some recent experiences so that I can have some idea as to what
>to expect? I'm told it's changed some in the past few years (i.e. different
>immunisations, more tests) so the more recent the better. Is it just a
>quick blood test and X-Ray or should I be preparing to bend over and get the
>latex glove treatment? How long are you in there for, and just how thorough
>is a "thorough examination" in this case when you're a 24yr old male?

Had my medical end of September.

Arrived 9.40. Spent about 10 minutes filling out a form.

Was x-rayed took about 5 minutes (if that), chest only

Sat down for a few minutes and was then called to see the nurse.

She explained the vaccination requirements, and what I already had and would
need. If fact it was only tetanus I needed. (The requirement does vary by
age). She said I could have it done free at my GP and take the form to the
Embassy when I had my interview, but I decided to get it done there so all my
medical records went from them complete to the Embassy. Quite painless.

Came out and sat down for about 5 minutes and then went into the doctor. A
very nice South African lady. Stripped to under pants and laid on couch. usual
listening to chest and examination of all parts took only a few minutes. She
then took a blood sample. Got dressed sat down while she labeled up the blood
sample,checked it was mine and that was it. Never got off the couch and no
bending over, she did a very brief groin examination.

Went back to reception to pay. The most painful part of the whole experience.

Out the door on way home by 10.30

Lansbury

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:13:47 GMT, "Alex Clark" <> wrote:

>From
>reading past experiences the medical appointment always seemed to be on the
>same day as the interview, yet this is implying I'll need to make two
>separate trips to London - one for the medical, then another later on for
>the visa interview. :-(


The medical examination and interview are now on different days. Unless you
can schedule the medical on the same day, you have arrange the medical
yourself. However if you do that they will not be able to issue the visa
until they receive the medical results.

Alex Clark

Thanks Lansbury, that's what I assumed it meant but it's nice to have some
clarification from someone with experience :-)

"Lansbury" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:13:47 GMT, "Alex Clark" <> wrote:
>
>>From
>>reading past experiences the medical appointment always seemed to be on
>>the
>>same day as the interview, yet this is implying I'll need to make two
>>separate trips to London - one for the medical, then another later on for
>>the visa interview. :-(
>
>
> The medical examination and interview are now on different days. Unless
> you
> can schedule the medical on the same day, you have arrange the medical
> yourself. However if you do that they will not be able to issue the visa
> until they receive the medical results.
> --
> Lansbury
> www.uk-air.net
> FAQs for the alt.travel.uk.air newsgroup

Alex Clark

Hi Lansbury,

Thanks for your summary of what you experienced. It's a bit of a pain that
I have to make two separate trips down to London, but obviously I'll do
what's necessary.


> She explained the vaccination requirements, and what I already had and
> would
> need. If fact it was only tetanus I needed. (The requirement does vary by
> age).

That is interesting... I'm up to date on tetanus, diptheria, polio, typhoid
and the Hib-Influenza and pneumococcal. Did she mention to you about having
to have varicella, Hep-B etc once entering the US in order to get your green
card?


> Came out and sat down for about 5 minutes and then went into the doctor. A
> very nice South African lady. Stripped to under pants and laid on couch.

I'll be sure to wear my "Chef from Southpark" underwear to lighten the mood
then ;-)

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Kind Regards,
Alex

Lansbury

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 23:54:31 GMT, "Alex Clark" <> wrote:

>> She explained the vaccination requirements, and what I already had and
>> would
>> need. If fact it was only tetanus I needed. (The requirement does vary by
>> age).
>
>That is interesting... I'm up to date on tetanus, diptheria, polio, typhoid
>and the Hib-Influenza and pneumococcal. Did she mention to you about having
>to have varicella, Hep-B etc once entering the US in order to get your green
>card?
>

I already had Hep-B, a job related precaution, sometime ago. Varicella is not
available in the UK and for IR-1, which mine is, visa the nurse marks the
exemption column on the vaccination form. If you will have to adjust status
once in the US, I understand you will have to have any vaccinations not
available in the UK then. As I get an unconditional 10 year green card I am
spared anymore jabs. (I think)

>
>> Came out and sat down for about 5 minutes and then went into the doctor. A
>> very nice South African lady. Stripped to under pants and laid on couch.
>
>I'll be sure to wear my "Chef from Southpark" underwear to lighten the mood
>then ;-)

It all very brief, pardon the pun, and quite matter of fact. In fact the whole
thing is done in a down to earth, friendly manner and every one I meet was
very pleasant.

The map they supply is quite good and you shouldn't have any problems finding
the place.