At The Orchard Medical Centre we have a designated Medical Practitioner, Dr Flanagan, appointed by the Canadian High Commission to provide services for people hoping to emigrate to Canada, either temporarily or permanently.
The assessment will include a full medical history and examination performed by the doctor and a number of investigations as required by the Canadian High Commission.
The Canadian High Commission requires applicants to undergo specific screening tests prior to granting a visa. These are done routinely in each case so in requiring these tests of you, no specific problem is implied with your health. It is of course, your right to refuse any or all of these tests but the Commission's view on your application could be affected by such a decision.
Routine Tests (done as part of a Canadian Immigration Medical)
With your permission as outlined below, the results of the tests are notified, together with the report of your medical history and clinical examination, to the High Commission. A positive test, or tests, may not debar you from entry to Canada, but the Commission would take seriously any non-disclosure of relevant information.
The following routine screening tests are required:
1) Urine Sample
The urine sample is to check for albumin (protein), glucose (sugar) and blood. Sometimes, it is cultured and checked microscopically for signs of kidney disease or infection. Together, these tests can help to look for diabetes and kidney or bladder problems. For female clients, please ensure that your appointment does not fall for a couple of days either side of your expected period. This is important as it may affect the result of the urine test. If blood is detected in your urine, then this may result in you having to return to the surgery when your period is over to provide another sample.
2) Chest X-Ray
A Chest X-Ray looks for any fluid, cancers or growths in the lungs, for 'chronic bronchitis', other on-going lung disease and sometimes signs of heart disease. We particularly check for tuberculosis (TB). The Chest X-Ray will be performed at Cossham Hospital (directions will be given to you on the day of your appointment). You DO NOT need an appointment for this and you can go after your appointment here at the surgery. However, the hospital does close at 4.00pm so those who have booked medical appointments with us in the afternoon are welcome to go prior to their appointment. You will need to collect the specified form from us before going to the hospital.
3) Syphilis
Although syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, has been quite rare, its incidence has been rising in recent years. It is an infection that can cause increasingly serious health problems over decades if not diagnosed, but it is fully treatable if diagnosed at an early stage. The test performed will indicate if you have ever had this infection.
4) HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that can, in a proportion of people after an average of 8 to 10 years, progress to cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Here the body's defence system is damaged so that it cannot fight certain infections or other diseases. HIV is transmitted in the following ways:
- direct blood to blood contact
- sharing needles or syringes
- sexual contact: anal sex (very high risk), vaginal sex (high risk),
ioral sex (low risk)
- infected mother to child during pregnancy, at birth or via breast milk
- recipient of blood or blood products prior to Sept 1985 in the UK
When a person becomes infected with HIV, they produce antibodies to the virus. The test looks for these antibodies in the blood. However, it can take 3 months from the time of infection for antibodies to show up in the blood test. If your blood test is positive, it cannot predict when or whether a person will go on to develop AIDS. Treatments which can delay the onset of AIDS and which may slow the progress of HIV infection are available.
Normal practice is to inform you of all HIV test results, whether positive or negative. The results of tests are sent to the Canadian High Commission as soon as they are all received if they are all negative. If you wish us to take a different course of action, please let us know when you come for the assessment.
If any of the results are positive, we will arrange an opportunity to discuss this with you. A minor anomaly could be discussed by phone with no additional charge, but a positive result with serious implications for your health would require a consultation and a further cost to you.
In particular, anyone with a positive HIV test will be offered:
- time to ask questions and discuss issues that now arised
- information regarding referral to specialist medical care with doctors
who are experienced in treating people with HIV infection
- the offer of support in raising the subject with the family doctor
'local to you
- exploring options for personal care close to your home
Points to consider before having any screening tests:
- give some thought to how you would cope if you had a
positive result
- only tell people that you are having the test if you are
prepared to tell them the result
- some of the above diseases can still carry a stigma and
iknowing you have a serious or potentially life-threatening
illness can be very stressful
- some of the above diseases may have repercussions on
'future opportunities e.g. insurance, mortgages, risk premiums,
'emigration, personal relationships
- knowing whether or not you have certain diseases may help
'you to make important decisions about your future
The above information is to help you to consider the issues prior to your appointment. It is not aimed to raise anxiety and we trust that in the great majority of cases this will be quite reassuring. It is important, however, that you have the opportunity to think about the issues concerned and Dr Flanagan will be happy to address questions that you might have at the time of your medical assessment.
Charges
The charges for medicals are as follows:
Adults/Children over 15 years old '£216.00
Children 11-14 years old '£82.00
Children 5 - 10 years old £74.00
Children under 5 years £52.00
In addition you should attend Cossham Hospital for your Chest X-Ray. We understand that there is a charge of £40.00, which should be paid to the hospital directly.
You will need to bring at least FOUR passport-sized photographs and photographic identification such as passport or driving licence with you.
To book an appointment
Please dial the main surgery number on 0117 980 5100
