relax, pause, scream

It's been a tiring time over the past couple of weeks, and it's all been due to the medicals that we (or more specifically, I) have had to take at the behest of Immigration New Zealand (NZIS). My wife and girls all sailed through their respective medicals, but there were two very small sticking points raised on mine.

I was assured that there was nothing seriously wrong with me, and that all I needed was some clinical proof to confirm that this was the case. After speaking to my GP (and indeed all of the GPs at our practice who have - without fail - been completely helpful and supportive of us when we've needed help and quickly) he set the wheels in motion and threw his full medical weight behind us.

It was only the next day that I realised that the NHS at large would not be quite so accomodating. The NHS is a wonderful thing, and I've not resented one penny out of the thousands upon thousands I have contributed through my National Insurance. But - and there's always a "but" - it can't really help when you need expediency above all else.

I am still due to start work in Christchuch some time in the first week of September. The fact that I could lose the job is of no concern if the appointment to see the consultant is due to take place a good month after this. That's not their fault, but I was left with only one option - to go private.

The amount of money we have spent on applying for NZ residency has become a bit of a black hole, and private consultancy fees were just another necessity on the tedious and twisting road to emigrating. This took us to over £3,000, and I'm hopeful that the financial demands will ease off for some time.

So, I got seen the next day, got signed off immediately and finally - finally! - managed to get the Invitation to Apply in the post a mere month after it joyously plopped through our front door.

That's not to mention the last-minute blip re job references (which, considering I'd already gotten a job, I didn't think were necessary) that NZIS insisted upon. The fact that my current employer was literally on his way out of the door for a 2 week break when I just about accosted him for a written and signed reference, is yet another comedy of errors for another time...