Diabetes - Referred to Medical Assessor

[jamie7121]

This is part of an email i got from my case officer, is it par for the course or should i be worried.
"I have had an opportunity to examine your application and while everything is in order I will have to refer your medical certificate to our medical assessor on account of your diabetes. I hope to have a response back from them within the next few weeks. I will let you know if they require any more reports."
I should add that my diabetes results were very good as was my cholesterol etc,no ketones or protein in tests, red cell counts were a wee bit down due to slight anaemia. Has anyone came across this? Should i be worried at all?

[Dave in NZ]

Hi Jamie,
I would say you have no worries at all really.
I have been an insulin dependent Diabetic since 1970 and I also have Osteoporosis and I was accepted by the NZIS after a medical review. As in the case of everyone with a potentialy serious medical condition that does not tick all their boxes, they will refer it to the medical assessor.This is standard practice and although worrying,it is very rare for you to get turned down.
What they need to be happy with is that you are not going to be a drain on their health service in the forseeable future.All your medical results are reasonable so I cannot see a problem. Diabetes which is out of control can lead to very serious conditions such as Kidney failure. This is not the case where you are concerned and I am sure they will pass you.It is still nervewracking I know but if I can be passed,so can you.

Kindest regards

Dave and Caroline

[jamie7121]

Thanks very much for the soothing reply, it has set my mind more at ease. Im glad its kinda routine though i will take nothing for granted.

[annie abercrombie]

Don't worry at all. I have been type I for years and my medical assessment was referred as well. My HBA1C's are generally good and although I also have thyroid and chloresterol problems + anaemia - I was accepted without issue.

Have faith!

[jamie7121]

Thanks Annie, just what i wanted to hear. My HBA1C was 6.7, one of my best ever and my cholesterol was 3.7 which was definitely my best levels ever so i had felt very good with those results and was disappointed to being referred till i got your replies above which has shown me that its routine to get referred. It has certainly eased my mind, thanks to you both.

[Gilly1973]

Hi, I am in a similar position to yourselves. I am in the process of applying for PR. My wife suffers with type 1 diabetes and from what I understand is well controlled with good H1Cs and no related problems. My application was referred to the medical board and they requested some further information from the consultant treating my wife. This was submitted and we are currently awaiting the result. It does appear to take some time and unfortunatly for me I missed my job offer which I was due to start in April. I appreciate the positive responses you have received and I just hope we get approved as I have secured another position in October.

The problem I have is my case worker is unhelpful and unwilling to reply to any emails or messages left. I just hope you have a better case worker than me.

Good luck and I will let you know when we get our response.

[jamie7121]

Hi, I am in a similar position to yourselves. I am in the process of applying for PR. My wife suffers with type 1 diabetes and from what I understand is well controlled with good H1Cs and no related problems. My application was referred to the medical board and they requested some further information from the consultant treating my wife. This was submitted and we are currently awaiting the result. It does appear to take some time and unfortunatly for me I missed my job offer which I was due to start in April. I appreciate the positive responses you have received and I just hope we get approved as I have secured another position in October.

The problem I have is my case worker is unhelpful and unwilling to reply to any emails or messages left. I just hope you have a better case worker than me.

Good luck and I will let you know when we get our response.

Hi Gilly, sorry to hear about the delays you have had to face and i hope everything will be ok for you before October. how long was it after you were referred to the medical board before they asked you for further info from your wife's consultant? And how long has it been since you sent on the further info? I'm trying to get some idea of the time-scale though my CO has said he hopes to hear within a few weeks. I hope that's the end of it and that they don't want further reports but i will just have to get on with it if they do. When i went for my medical at the panel doctors i had already told her of my diabetes beforehand and she told me to go see my gp and get a report on how i was managing my diabetes and what my blood results were so they have all that already, hope its enough. All the best and i hope your CO gets their finger out, mine has kept me informed and im happy with that so far.

[Kim39]

Yes nothing to worry about at all. OH submitted her application for WTR a few months ago and was referred to Medical review board for her diabetes, and she is only type 2. Think its just the policy they have in place and just want to clarify their position.


Kim

[jamie7121]

Yes nothing to worry about at all. OH submitted her application for WTR a few months ago and was referred to Medical review board for her diabetes, and she is only type 2. Think its just the policy they have in place and just want to clarify their position.


Kim

Thanks Kim, thats reassuring. I am type 2 as well.

[annie abercrombie]

It is described in the media as an "epidemic" because the percentage getting type II is increasing at an alarming rate.

The good news for all diabetes coming here is the health service is generally really good. I have had better care here than I did in the UK and I thought the UK was great. Eye, foot and blood checks regularly + appointments with specialist diabetes nurses and doctors. I get one appointment at my GP/specialist nurse free a year and one I have to pay for. My great GP tries to work in other things that would cost/take time - so I can end up having a smear test, general fitness and diabetes check all in one go. Blood tests are very efficient too - often the results are back within a few hours. A far cry from the 2 weeks before appointments I had to do. Specialist hospital appointments are free for the diabetes clinic.

I have to pay $15 for 3 months supply of each medicine. If you switch to whatever the supported blood test machine is - you can get 3 months of the strips for about $5 max.

So - when you get here (which I am sure you will!) - all will be fine.