Arranging routine blood tests in Australia

Ningaloo

I am looking to travel to Australia for 3 months to tour and visit family. I have arthritis and my medication requires a routine blood test every month.

My questions are -
1. How do I arrange these blood tests in Australia? Who would i phone?
2. How much would it cost? or would the NHS have an arrangement out there for UK Citizens.
3. Has anyone else arranged this on a trip? How did you get on in making the arrangements, any hurdles I should look out for?

Thank you.
Any help appreciated.:)

Torry_Quine

Could your family ask their doctor if they would be able to do this. Also speak with your own GP

Ningaloo

My G.P was not very helpful. I will ask family but none of them have any ailments (thank goodness) so it will all be a bit new to them as well. Just hoping someone had ' been there and done it' so could offer advice.

callum9999

You're not covered for pre-existing conditions, so you'll need to make private GP appointments - a check-up was around £35 while I was there a couple of years ago, so I wouldn't be surprised if it comes to around £100 each session. Torry's suggestion of asking your family to check with their GP to see if they can do it and how much they charge is a good start (most (all?) GPs in Australia are private so they should be able to offer this).

It shouldn't matter if your family have no experience with this, they just need to call the reception of their GP and ask if they'll offer the test you need. Or if they don't have a GP then any local ones. If they don't offer it then I'm sure they'll know who does.

Torry_Quine

Ningaloo wrote: »

My G.P was not very helpful. I will ask family but none of them have any ailments (thank goodness) so it will all be a bit new to them as well. Just hoping someone had ' been there and done it' so could offer advice.

How about the arthritis association. They will possibly have come across this before.

richardw

Perhaps double check the tourist visa time limit and also the travel insurance premium for 3 months, these may impact on the trip duration and you may only need one blood test.

callum9999

richardw wrote: »

Perhaps double check the tourist visa time limit and also the travel insurance premium for 3 months, these may impact on the trip duration and you may only need one blood test.

The normal online visa lasts for 3 months and it's not remotely hard to get a 6 month visa if required.

mgdavid

callum9999 wrote: »

The normal online visa lasts for 3 months and it's not remotely hard to get a 6 month visa if required.

it's valid for 1 year, with up to 90 days of visits within that. Can be multiple visits.

duchy

Even if your family are in good health they will have access to a family practitioner so they will be able to find out for you .

Ningaloo

Thank you everyone. Some great advice here and I will mention it all to them when we speak in the next couple of days.

HappyMJ

I'm Australian myself...you just go to a GP make an appointment and get the GP to refer you to the hospital or a clinic for the blood test. You've got to pay for it but it's not really that expensive. Getting an appointment is much easier than the UK. You should just about always get one on the same day and if you don't then ring another GP.

You would then get the results from the GP in Australia and send them to your GP via email or fax who you would then then ring up in a few days and ask about them.