child's post-leukemia follow up care

Hi there,
Our 7 year old son completed 3 1/2 years of treatment for leukemia a few months ago and now has to go once a month for labs.  Next year, he'll go every other month, the following year, every 3 months and so on.  He'll eventually get to a yearly check up.

We're still in CA and are doing our best to move our family to England for a few years.  Would we have any trouble obtaining these services through the health care system?  We're just starting this adventure so we're still a little ignorant, despite spending HOURS on this site reading as much as possible!

Thanks in advance!

I have no idea about the moving to England part.

I just wanted to say hi and welcome. I was a nanny for a family whose son was diagnosed with ALL at the age of 2 1/2. He is now 8, done with chemo (except for the labs every once in a while) and doing great! His family has two other children (ages 6 and 4) and there were weeks during chemo when I would be at their home more than my own.

Good luck with the move!

We wish your son and your family well.

Is one of you a British Citizen? what is your back ground will you becoming through employment or through studie or spousal visa ect? this may make a difference as if its a spousal visa your son and your family will be entitled to NHS Treatment, but I am unsure if you might need private medical cover for anything else and then you will need to be refered to a specialist which can take a while in the UK, I would also find out if private medical insurance will cover for anything your son may require whilst over here.

If you are private health it is I am told good and you would get in quickly but again you will need to ask if your son will be covered.

Good luck and I hope you can get more info.

Indy

As long as you've established UK residency, i.e. not a visitor, you're entitled to NHS. Doesn't matter if you're here to work, or study, etc.  I think you'll be able to get all that and more with the NHS.  They're a bit on the slow side for getting labs done and everything, so make sure you register with a GP right away and explain the whole situation. They should be able to get you sorted out and tell you what you need. I imagine that if you can bring copies of your medical records with you, that will be a big help. NHS, while very slow, is pretty decent too, and its nice that anyone,regardless of age, health condition, income, race, gender, etc, can get treated. 

I really don't know how to answer this question without more info, like the others stated, but I just wanted to say hello and welcome to UKY.  My cousin was diagnosed with leukemia on her 3rd birthday, and she has been in remission now for nearly 20 years... 
I hope you get all the treatment for your son that you need! 

Thanks for the replies.  No, neither of us are UK citizens    We're hoping to get over there on work visas but we have to work hard to get job offers first!

Our son was in remission 5 days after he started treatment and his prognosis has always been excellent so the only treatment he need (and hopefully will continue to need) are labs just to keep an eye on things.

Thanks again!
Kelly

Thanks for the replies.  No, neither of us are UK citizens    We're hoping to get over there on work visas but we have to work hard to get job offers first!

Well you are entitled to NHS on work permits.  Good luck with your journey to the UK. This is the best place for information.  And best wishes to your son!