Diseases in Migrants

**DebsX** · 18-05-2007, 10:46 AM

I'm a little confused here.
Can someone please tell me if this is the case, why do we have to have medicals in the first place.
I thought the whole idea was to screen immigrants for medical issues that would be a drain on the Australian health system.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...4-2702,00.html

**austibeach** · 18-05-2007, 11:41 AM

It's certainly a shocking article. I am very surprised that so many people suffering with Tuberculosis are slipping through the net, I'm even surprised that there are that many applying for visas.

Eric.

**minlady** · 18-05-2007, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by DebsX

I'm a little confused here.
Can someone please tell me if this is the case, why do we have to have medicals in the first place.
I thought the whole idea was to screen immigrants for medical issues that would be a drain on the Australian health system.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...4-2702,00.html

Good point....

When we had our Meds the panel doctor was quite anti the medicals saying that really the screening should be carried out depending on the country involved. At the moment all the meds to get into Oz are the same regardless of country of origin of the person applying... when really different issues/illnesses are more prevelent in some countries than others and really the meds should reflect this... but as usual it is all down to cost etc and in the long run it is easier to have the same meds for everyone.....

We were 'lucky ' i suppose... as our doctor was very generalised but some others on this forum have had a real nightmare with theirs... and this must be the same in other countries as well...different panel doctors interpretating what they feel is required for these meds....I can't see how it can ever be policed properly

Money spinner in the end...!!!

min x

**sholmes115** · 18-05-2007, 12:06 PM

Hi, Does anyone know whether the medical for a 457 visa is the same as for a skilled independent visa. By reading that article it seems to indicate that some visas require the applicant to simply complete a form!???

**simon and jenean** · 18-05-2007, 01:40 PM

Hi
We had meds for 457 and you still need to go and see a doctor/have x-ray and fill in forms etc. We are applying for 136 now and don't think are existing medicals can still be used, even though they were the same forms at the time. Told by immi call centre that they were temporary medicals so will probably need permanent ones! Completely ridiculous when will get same info.
Jenean

**sholmes115** · 18-05-2007, 01:47 PM

In a nutshell what do the meds involve? I don't think I've got any health problems but I hate having to give blood. Last time the doctor took blood I blacked out and woke up on my back on the floor with the doctor holding my legs in the air!!

**kimdownie** · 18-05-2007, 01:57 PM

Hahaha, that would of been a funny sight.

Adults going for medicals will have to have x-rays blood tests and a full medical, in which you will be expected to strip down to your undies!!!!

depending on when you had your last blood test, things are very different. Until recently I hated blood tests but they are so quick and painless now that they dont bother me.

They dont use a large syringe and needle any more it is so much simpler.....dont worry

Debs
Thanks for the link it made very interesting reading

**sholmes115** · 18-05-2007, 02:03 PM

The last one I had was about 3 years ago. I didn't mind the needle part, it was just when I looked down and saw a little container being filled with my blood that I got a bit freaked out and that was the last thing I remember. My new girlfriend was with me at the time, when I woke she was looking down at me, presumably wondering what on earth she was getting herself into.

**DebsX** · 18-05-2007, 03:18 PM

Well from what I've read on this forum about meds, they do seem to vary from doctor to doctor. I was very fortunate. We had blood pressure checked, height and weight check and urine sample to check for sugar. We had a very quick blood sample.
I didn't have to undergo a breast exam, which it seems a lot of the girlies on here had to go through.

I'm a doctor/hospital phobic, and out of everything the meds were the one thing that stressed me out the most.

Me and hubby and 3 kids were in and out in an hour.. Was very quick and painless.

I would recommend this doctor to anyone

**EM&M** · 18-05-2007, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by sholmes115

Hi, Does anyone know whether the medical for a 457 visa is the same as for a skilled independent visa. By reading that article it seems to indicate that some visas require the applicant to simply complete a form!???

Hi Ya,

You dont need meds for the 457 only xrays, if you have any children they do have to have meds as they are entering a classroom environment. Unless you are going to work in a classroom or hospital environment you wont need them. We went yesterday to Newcastle clinic for Xrays and Denton Medical Centre for girls meds, was total rip off £100 each for girls 2&7mths £0 courier, he looked in their eyes, ears, mouth, height, weight, felt tummy. We were in and out in 10 minutes flat.

Em x