Job Discussion Forums

[JRJohn]

I have already had this done before, but it was a few years ago. I am considering a return to China. I am considering teaching in a university because I enjoyed it and saved money.

My problem is the cost of the medical check. My local doctor said it could not be done on the NHS. It has to be private. The last time I had this done, 2010, I went to a place called MASTA travel clinic in Edinburgh. They were very efficient and I got all the tests done. It cost 350 pounds. I called them recently and the receptionist said it might cost 500 pounds. Yes, I can pay this but I feel it is rather too much. Does anyone know if I can get it done more cheaply?

[Denim-Maniac]

I would explore a way to avoid it. Chances are whatever you do in the UK will be disregarded in China, and it will need to be re-done at a Chinese hospital or clinic again.

Speak to your prospective employer and see if there is any way round it, it might not hurt to mention it will cost around 5000 RMB so they can understand your concern. My UK GP said she could perform a health check which would cover most of the points on the Chinese medical for around �80. Something similar might be an alternative for you?

My employer asked me to complete a health check in the UK in 2011, prior to issuing Z visa invitation. I did tell him that it was too expensive and asked him to look at a work-around.

I did have a HIV check at a sexual health clinic ... thats free (tell them you have a colourful sex life if needs be), and sent my employer a copy of my HIV negative status and said I could ask my doctor to just write a letter saying I was in good general health. I got my Z visa invitation just fine in the end. I took a health check in China on their coin not long after arriving.

Im in the UK now, and returning to the same employer in April. They are arranging my Z visa invite now and havent mentioned health check at all. Im not 100% sure its a pre-requisite for a Z visa invite to be issued TBH. If the employer you are talking to now insists, Id try and talk to someone else. I wouldnt be prepared to pay �500 for a check that will be disregarded upon arrival in China anyway

[doogsville]

Don't go to a private clinic, it's not necessary. I had mine done by my GP in Edinburgh two years ago. It's still costs money since it's not covered by the NHS, but I paid about seventy quid if memory serves me well. Forget about the X-Ray and all that expensive bullshit, they'll give you and X-ray this end when you arrive anyway. Ask the doctor to put 'not necessary' or something similar on the form. The main thing is the blood tests, so they know you're not HIV positive basically. Take it to your GP, explain why you need it and have them take a look at it, which is free, and then they'll give you a price, which should certainly be less than a hundred. The school just wants to see the doctors stamp, or other proof that it was a doctor that filled in the form, and a signature. Don't forget you have to take the 'real' medical on arrival anyway.