Arriving in the UK

[Larakhaz]

Hi my name is Lara and I am a new mother, my baby is a week old.

I'm currently living in California, but I will travel to live in the UK to join my husband in May.

I have never lived in the UK before, my husband though is British.

I know the health system in the UK is quite different from the system here in the USA.

Do the members of this forum have any ideas, tips, experiences, or just general advice to get us started in the UK health system?

Any general pieces of advice about arriving in the UK with a one month old child?

thanks

It is not really that difficult, if you have all your paperwork in order, you only need to go the same "Surgery" (practice) where your husband is registered, normally the nearest one to your home.

They will ask you to make an appointment with a practice nurse (Sister), to start your file. And to bring any prescription medicines to the meeting so the nurse can note them in your file. It does help to bring your medical file from the US (If you have one), in case you have other problems originated in past ailments/conditions.

You may find it somewhat frustrating at the beginning, no paediatrician available unless your child has a chronic condition or sever problem, there is not much of preventive medicine apart of vaccines, and most children ailments are cured with Calpol (paracetamol) and fresh air. I can say that I went through hissing fits about this, but now I am a true believer that this is the correct approach

... But one thing I can tell you, if you have a serious problem, the NHS will be there for you ALL the way for you for as long as it is needed.

When you go to see the sister take your baby's vaccination record with you. They will work out what you need to fit in to the UK schedule.

thanks all

with such a young baby once you join a practice you may well have the health visitor ask to have a chat with you. They kind of do the cross between social care and medical care. they are the ones who will probably do any developmental checks on your baby.

Check out the Border Agency website, they give you all kinds of bureaucratic advise, not just regarding healthcare, but other stuff as well!

Ask you Doctor for your Health Visitors details, they have weekly clinics where you can go and have your baby weighed and talk through any problems, you will also meet other Mums with babies the same age. They may even be some post-natal groups going on that would be good to join.