Supporting children through relocation, Assistant Dean of Overseas Admissions at ACS International Schools, Anastasia Cotton, shares her favourite storybook titles on transition and change.
Travelling half-way around the world for international relocation is a huge change for even the most well-adjusted adult to manage – so how can we support children experiencing the move, whilst juggling the tricky business of growing up?
As with so many transitional stages of childhood and adolescence, support and discussion initiated with a story – or picture book for younger children – can be a gentle way to approach any worries.
“It’s easier for children to process things they hear ‘third-hand’ during reading-time cuddles,” explained clinical psychologist Wayne Fleisig to The Washington Post.
“Books can be a good and non-threatening platform in which to discuss difficult subjects. There are pictures to distract them if things get overwhelming and they do not have to approach the subject head on, but instead can take in a small amount at a time.”
For children who might be experiencing a range of feelings – loss, sadness, uncertainty, anxiety, anger, and even excitement – it can be helpful to select a number of titles to choose from in both the run up to moving day, and in the first months of re-settlement.
Parents might find that children identify with a particular character or series of books, and revisiting these stories can provide an additional comfort in unfamiliar surroundings, as well as acting as useful tools for conversation. For little ones who are unsure how to articulate their emotional reactions, it can help give them the words and phrases they need to ask for support in a meaningful way.
“How do you think Alexander was feeling as his parents packed up his house in this story? Can you think of anything that would have made Sammy the Snail feel better? Let’s do the same as this story and unpack our toys first, and then cook our favourite meal! We’re changing country, language and culture, but this is what we’re not going to change.”
Supporting activities such as scrapbooking, story-writing, journaling and writing to pen-pals can also be both calming and encouraging for a lot of children. In one of my recommended titles, B at Home, the main character is given a booklet to document her adventure, and it becomes an important keepsake of a life-changing move.
Very often, one of the most daunting elements of moving countries is the prospect of facing a new school and all the associated challenges, from adapting to new teaching styles to making friends during recess or in class.
“Relocated adolescents often face a double stress of adapting to an alien environment, a new school, and building new friendships and social networks, while simultaneously coping with the fundamental biological and developmental transitions that their peers also experience,” says British researcher, Roger Webb, for the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
Here at ACS, our school environment is built around helping students manage these transitional stages, easing children and teens gently – and quickly – into life in the UK.
Our new families have a readymade community on hand to share their experiences, knowledge and to help them settle into their new homes. Each school has a fully trained pastoral care team and counsellors alongside programmes including the Welcome Team; a group of parents and staff on hand to help families adjust.
The extended community here welcomes new families and fosters long-lasting and supportive friendships not only within school, but via weekend BBQs and breakfasts, matching relocated families for email exchange, international fairs, student-buddy programmes, our popular annual High Tea and, of course, regular book clubs.
Alongside all these wonderful methods of support offered by schools, friends and family, it is our experience that starting with a story is a great first step in helping children adjust during times of transition. Stories have the power to help readers handle not only their own feelings but other people’s too, which goes full circle in our ACS family as children experienced in relocation help their new peers navigate the change happily and successfully.
Live Like A Local While You Choose Where To Settle Permanently
American by origin, Merilee Karr is an adopted Brit, having lived in London for the last 18 years, always in the southwest in Fulham and Putney. She founded her short-term lettings company back in 2014 and has built everything to deliver the vision of providing responsible home letting solutions in and around London ever since. Passionate about providing guests with a ‘home from home’ experience and not leaving homes empty when their owners are away, when others could enjoy them, meant that her company UnderTheDoormat was born.
Coming to the UK from America is a big step which takes a huge amount of planning and organisation. It’s not just a case of buying all new appliances or knowing the difference between pants and trousers (which can be very valuable to know in certain situations!), but finding a whole new community and moving your family away from everything they know takes a bit of getting used to. The concept of ‘moving to London’ is exciting but in reality ‘London’ is huge, and it is always difficult to choose which part of London is most suited to you and your family’s needs.
Having been an expat herself, here Merilee gives her top tips for relocating to London and how it can definitely be one of the best decisions you will ever make;
• Make plenty of trips before the big move: Take advantage of the relocation package before you arrive. Visit London a couple of times and check out everything from potential areas to live, social clubs, schools etc. Finding an area that you feel comfortable in and can feel a part of the community will make all the difference
• Make contact with others in the same situation: Social media is great for this. There are so many groups, for example ‘Americans in London’ on Facebook, that you can connect with and get into the nitty gritty of living in London
• Get comfortable that things take longer than you think they should: From setting up Wifi to getting your furniture in your new home, the instantaneous approach you are used to in the States doesn’t always happen here, so being comfortable with extra patience will make your transition smoother
• The very first thing to do is to open a local bank account: Having a UK bank account will help you get a mobile phone, sign a rental contract and everything else you might need. Having a letter from your employer will help you do this, and you may want to enquire with your bank in the US so you can set up with the same or an associated bank here
• Choose a frequent flyer programme: For Americans who know they will be going back and forth to the US a few times a year, I highly recommend that you pick one airline and stick with it. Membership has its privileges and the occasional upgrade on the overnight flight is always a bonus.
Finding a new home is undoubtedly one of the toughest challenges when relocating. Even though the job opportunity is likely to be in central London there is no reason why you should have to live right next door – you might decide on a completely different spot and it is very normal for commute times to be anything up to an hour in London. London has superb transport links and thinking about direct transport links rather than distance is an important perspective.
It’s a good idea to try short-term rental options whilst you figure out the right area for you. Our own company is proud to offer over 200 homes across London where guests can stay for short periods to really get a feel for the location. St Pauls is very different to Wandsworth and Waterloo to Notting Hill. Our ethos is to enable guests to ‘live like locals’ – so what better way to research an area or try 3 in your visits so you can
find the one which is right for you.
If you can find an option which gives you the
chance to stay in a home until you can move into your permanent accommodation, then this will certainly make life and your move a bit easier. Most companies will pay for 1-3 months of temporary accommodation when you arrive, and it means you have a wonderful home to live in until you own things arrive and you can move into your long-term home in London.
Once you are all settled, it’s also a great service to use for friends and family who come to visit. London homes often don’t have as much space as you are used to in the States, so having people stay at your own home isn’t as easy as your friends and relatives might think.
Being American herself, Merilee’s team has been handpicked to help people with a personal service and they can explain everything from the difference in king size beds in London vs. the US, to what to look for in a bathroom - the cute little separate taps in bathroom sinks for hot and cold water can get annoying when you are used to a single faucet. So, fun for a few days but something to avoid when you plan to live there for a few years! We look forward to welcoming you to London as you begin your move so you can make your transition to London as smooth as possible.
With the tax deadlines looming closer and closer, we thought we would introduce you to some of the companies we have worked with over the years, who will be able to help you with any tax issues you are currently experiencing or need to address. We are delighted to offer a list of companies including Satis Asset Management Limited, US Tax & Financial Services, Expat Tax Professionals, BDO LLP and H&R Block:
1. SATIS Asset Management
SATIS Asset Management provide a wealth management service to discerning individuals and their families who are concerned about protecting their wealth.
We are also one of the few firms to be able to provide specialist wealth management, tax planning advice and US/UK tax return preparation to Americans living in the UK.
We offer a family office fee-based approach that combines wealth management and specialist tax advice so that you can be sure you are making the most of your global financial position and reporting correct returns in the US and in the UK.
US Tax & Financial Services provides tax advice, planning, and compliance services (US tax returns, UK tax returns and forms preparation) for individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts and estates, subject to the US tax system, wherever they may live or operate in the world. Established for more than 30 years, our multilingual teams of US and UK tax accountants and US attorneys, with offices in London, Zurich and Geneva, have clients in over 40 countries.
The international aspects of the US tax system are complex and changeable; with laws, regulations, court cases, and rulings presenting a challenge to US-based firms that do not face the international aspects of the US tax system on a day to day basis. Not only are the basic tax returns more complex, but additional informational returns relating to many aspects of an expat’s international lifestyle carry stiff penalties if not filed correctly. Whether a US expat living abroad, an American investing offshore, or an international investor planning to invest in the United States, our specialist teams of cross-border advisors can help.
Extended International Reach: We are members of Geneva Group International, a leading global alliance of independent professional firms. GGI unites international, independent audit, accounting, law and consulting firms which can find the right solution to resolve any financial, legal and tax issues which may arise.
When you live and work overseas, the last thing you need to worry about is the IRS. US tax law is complex, always changing, and probably the furthest thing from your mind.
Expat Tax Professionals is an award-winning firm founded by international tax experts with extensive American tax code experience.
We don’t outsource anything to contractors - we only have our own seasoned, licensed CPAs and tax attorneys preparing and reviewing every tax return. With Expat Tax Professionals, you have the convenience of being able to handle your taxes completely online or working directly with a seasoned CPA for more complex tax needs.
Think of our service as the best of all worlds — CPA Expertise. Online Convenience.
4.BDO LLP
BDO are ideally placed to help clients navigate and manage the often-complex tax compliance interactions between US and the UK tax systems, including:
US and UK income tax returns for US citizens in the UK or expats living in US
Non-resident US income tax returns (form 1040NR) for non-US persons
Foreign bank and foreign asset reporting for US persons
Delinquent US tax filers and assisting under the streamlined filing procedure
We are also able to assist non-US persons requiring to file US returns that may be ineligible for a US social security number by helping them acquire (or renew) an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer’s Identification Number) via their London based Certified Acceptance Agent.
Our US tax advisory team, based in London and the US, are able to advise clients with US connections, wherever they are based and on all US tax related matters including US estate tax planning and filing obligations associated with non-US companies, partnerships and trusts. Please contact any of Mark Walters or Ian Feaviour who’d be delighted to help.
Whether a new or seasoned expat, filing a US tax return may seem overwhelming, but luckily H&R Block Expat Tax Services can help! Their advisors specialise in taxes for US expats, relieving the stress of tax season and helping you meet your US tax filing obligations. Their virtual process is fast, easy, and secure.
H&R Block’s team of highly specialised CPAs, tax attorneys, and Enrolled Agents are trained to understand your unique tax situation. From simple returns to the more complex, your taxes will be completed with accuracy — in fact, it’s guaranteed!
H&R Expat Tax Services makes it easy for you to file taxes from anywhere. A dedicated tax advisor will be with you from start to finish, acting as an advocate throughout the filing process — all within a secure, virtual portal!
There are two types of Americans in our world. One is dubbed an ‘Accidental American’. He is born in the US and automatically a citizen, whether he has a passport or not. The other has lived a large part of his life in the United States, your average American, for want of a better word. At this time, both have been living in the UK but want to return to the US to live. So, what should they watch out for from an immigration and tax perspective?
Americans who want to relocate back to the US need to be aware that it may not be as simple as buying a plane ticket and finding somewhere to live - even if you have a great job offer in the US.
If an American has married a foreign citizen, he needs to keep in mind that his spouse will have no status in the US and will need to be sponsored by his/her partner or through employment. The sponsorship process can take time and it is critical that Americans living abroad plan relocations well in advance, to the extent that this is possible. Our motto is always plan ahead – it wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
Today we are focusing on those relocating to the US – not those already there – and the process involved, which is called adjustment of status. These cases are split as follows:
• Consular processing cases
• Direct filing cases abroad.
Consular Processing Cases
In situations where the US citizen already lives in the US but his family is located abroad, the Consular Processing procedure must be followed. The first stage involves filing an immigrant petition (Form I-130) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the US. These cases currently take approximately 10-12 months to process. Once approved, the immigrant petition is then sent directly to the National Visa Center (NVC) in New Hampshire, where the document collection stage is completed. The NVC typically takes about 2-3 months to complete this step. Finally, everything is sent to the nearest US Embassy or Consulate overseas, where an interview is scheduled for the relative to attend. So, to avoid these lengthy processing times, it’s actually sensible to file directly with US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) overseas (see below) before being reassigned by your employer. The advice again is to plan ahead and not assume that a green card for a spouse can be obtained quickly. If the US citizen is suddenly asked to move back
to the US for work purposes, this could create huge problems for the family. The family can expect a prolonged separation while waiting for the process to conclude, actively putting the US citizen at a commercial and personal disadvantage over a non-US citizen eligible for a non-immigrant visa (work permit). Ironically, work permit applications for non-US citizens can be much faster and it is not uncommon for an entire family to be able to move to the US within a few weeks of starting the visa process.
Direct Filing Cases Abroad
When both the US citizen and the foreign relative live abroad, the I-130 can be filed at a local USCIS office (located at a US Embassy). This is based on the presumption that the US citizen has a non- temporary immigration status in the country of application, (e.g., if he is in the UK he has a UK work visa, a British spouse or Indefinite Leave to Remain. Alternatively, for your Accidental American, a British passport also works!).
There are 28 USCIS sub-offices scattered across the globe in 24 countries, including six in Europe: Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia and the UK. There are many benefits to filing at an overseas office: the whole process is typically much quicker and sending documents to the NVC is completely eliminated. The USCIS and the Embassy are often quite accessible. In many locations, they will respond to email, and sometimes, even phone calls. Anyone who has tried to receive information from USCIS in the US about their particular application knows it can be difficult and is only possible after wading through a tedious 1-800 menu.
It is not uncommon for families to complete the process and move to the US in as little as 4-6 months, with a green card waiting for them on the other end, as opposed to the 12-15 months it takes on average for US citizens within the US trying to sponsor relatives living abroad.
It is important that you file as soon as you can when you know you are relocating to the US. If you don’t file at least six months before your planned relocation date, you are likely to have to leave without the rest of the family. Be very careful around the summer time too. Children starting school in the US will not be grounds to expedite the petition.
US citizens, must provide the Embassy with their last tax return and their tax information relating to the last three years as part of the process of sponsoring their dependents for a
green card. Those who have never filed a US tax return will need to deal with this quickly and concurrently with the US immigration filing.
Tax Considerations
For The Accidental
American
Most countries with income tax regimes impose income tax on worldwide income on their residents. The US is unique in that it imposes income tax on worldwide income of both a US resident and a US citizen, regardless of where in the world the latter lives. An accidental American often does not realise the general requirement (with limited exceptions) to file a US income tax return reporting their worldwide income and a foreign bank account report (FBAR) declaring non-US accounts in which he has a beneficial ownership interest, or over which he has signatory authority annually.
The US income tax return is due no later than June 15 (or the next business day) of the year following the calendar year. There is an automatic extension to October 15 (or the next business day). The FBAR, for years after 2015, is due on October 15 of the year following the calendar year.
Although the FBAR is filed with the US Department of the Treasury, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has jurisdiction to enforce the filing of accurate FBARs. A wilful failure to file an accurate FBAR can be subject to a high civil penalty (up to $100,000 or 50 percent of the balance of the non-US account, whichever is greater) and criminal penalties. As a result, while an accidental American may be focused on their US income tax liabilities from their income tax returns, wilful failure to file accurate FBARs could lead to much more significant financial loss.
Once an accidental American is made aware of the requirement to file a US income tax return and the FBAR, he should engage in deliberate action to become compliant. This does not only mean timely filing of US income tax returns and FBARs on an ongoing basis. It also means taking corrective action for prior years for which he did not file US income tax returns or FBARs. Moreover, as mentioned, evidence for the last three years of US income tax returns is also needed when an accidental American sponsors his spouse for a green card. As a result, an accidental American’s US immigration concerns can be delayed by the US tax and FBAR corrective work, which makes it critical that his US immigration and US tax advisers coordinate.
Fortunately, the IRS has issued procedures for such corrective action, known as the “Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures," to the extent that such accidental American’s failure to file timely US income tax returns and FBARs was “non-wilful.” Non-wilful means that the failure to file was the result of negligence, inadvertence, or mistake, or was the result of a good faith misunderstanding of the requirements of the law. In short, this means that, to be deemed non-wilful, an accidental American did not know, and had no reason to know, of filing obligations, or reasonably relied on a tax professional who provided incorrect advice. An accidental American whose failure to file is deemed non-wilful can instead convert his non-wilful conduct into wilful conduct, and thus lose the ability to correct under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, by engaging in undue delay in correction. An obvious example of this is an accidental American who, learned of the requirement to file US income tax returns and FBARs on 1 January 2015, but waited until 1 January 2019, to engage in corrective action.
In addition to being deemed to be non- wilful to use the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, an accidental American, in any one or more of the most recent three years for which the US income tax return due date has lapsed must not have a US home and must have been physically outside the US for at least 330 full days. Finally, the accidental American, in order to use the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, must not be under a civil examination or criminal investigation by the IRS.
An accidental American’s qualification to use the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures means he will not be subject to failure to file and failure to pay penalties or accuracy related penalties with respect to amounts reported on previously unfiled US income tax returns, or to information return penalties or FBAR penalties. If an accidental American does not qualify to use the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, he will have to apply to the IRS to correct the failure to file prior US income tax returns and FBARs under the Voluntary Disclosure Program from 20 November 2018. Unlike the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Program, penalties, such as the civil fraud penalty on US income tax returns and the wilful failure to file penalty for FBARs, are not abated.
Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures – Procedure and Tax
Liability
The very first step for an accidental American under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures is to obtain a US Social Security Number (SSN). An accidental American
can contact the Federal Benefits Unit of a US embassy or consulate for assistance in obtaining an SSN.
In the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures filing, an accidental American files past due FBARs for the immediately prior six years for which the FBAR filing deadline has passed. While an SSN is not required for an individual to file an FBAR, it is recommended that an accidental American obtains the SSN first before filing this package of six past due FBARs, in order to link the corrective FBAR filings with the corrective US income tax return filings. This corrective FBAR filing is performed before any other corrective filings under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures.
An accidental American must also file US income tax returns for the immediately prior three years for which the US income tax return filing deadline has passed under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures. An accidental American will be able to avail of such US income tax relief provisions as the foreign exclusions and the foreign tax credit. However, an accidental American who is tax resident in a country with higher income tax rates than the US could be paying higher-than-expected US income tax for two reasons. Firstly, income tax treaties to which the US is a party usually have savings clauses that severely restrict the ability of a US citizen to avail of treaty benefits. Secondly, the US has historically had regimes that penalise US tax residents for foreign income and investments, such as the regimes governing controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, and foreign trusts with US owners and US beneficiaries. It is this second reason where an accidental American can be tax punished due to the incongruence of the US income tax system with the tax system of the home country where an accidental American is tax resident.
Finally, under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, an accidental American must file the above-referenced last three years of US income tax returns using IRS Form 14653. On that Form, an accidental American explains the reasons why failure to file was due to non-wilful conduct, including the identification of any tax professionals who rendered incorrect advice and upon which advice he reasonably relied. An accidental American also certifies on Form 14653 that all required past due FBARs have been filed, and ensures that all income tax, including all late payment interest, has been paid fully.
All in all, a US citizen planning on bringing his foreign family to live in the US is advised to keep up to date on procedures and processing times and seek advice where necessary. It often takes considerably longer for a US national to bring his family to the US than it takes a foreign national to relocate under a non-immigrant visa. When accompanied by foreign family members, the route of the return should be set out well before the expected homecoming, with a concerted effort and lots of forward planning.
Charlotte Slocombe is a partner with Fragomen LLP and a powerhouse in US corporate immigration and consular services. Based in London, she has been practicing US immigration law
since 2005 and is responsible for establishing and managing Fragomen’s EMEA Consular and Documents Practice.
Charlotte specialises in US consular matters, including highly complex inadmissibility filings and SME new company set ups, as well as providing VIP services for large corporates or high net worth individuals. Her dedicated team handles consular filings into other jurisdictions and document authentication. Charlotte is also part of Fragomen’s wider Government Strategies and Compliance Group which is recognised as an influential voice in immigration regulations and policy worldwide.
Fragomen is a leading firm dedicated exclusively to the delivery of immigration services to companies around the world. The firm has more than 3,800 staff in more than 50 offices and provides services to many of the world’s leading corporations. It works with clients to facilitate the transfer of skilled employees into over 170 countries. Fragomen’s professionals are respected thought leaders in the immigration field providing evidence and expertise to governments across the world including the UK Parliament, the US Congress, the European Union and the United Nations.
Charlotte is a New York licensed attorney, a UK Solicitor of England and Wales, and a named thought leader in corporate immigration 2019 by Who’s Who Legal.
Clayton E. Cartwright, Jr., is the founding and managing member of The Cartwright Law Firm, LLC, in Columbus, Georgia, which specialises in the areas of international
taxation and employee benefits. A frequent speaker and author for immigration law seminars and practice guides, he advises businesses, financial institutions, attorneys, accountants, investment advisors, and individuals on matters including expatriate taxation, cross-border employee transfers, withholding and reporting requirements, and permanent establishments. He earned his undergraduate degree in accounting, Beta Gamma Sigma, from The College of William & Mary and his law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University.
In the UK we are fortunate to have access to NHS healthcare; free at the point of delivery, based on needs not ability to pay, and available to all who may require it. However, many people also access the private sector for healthcare and with that draw on the benefits of seeing a private GP, this may well be the case for patients unable to access the NHS.
Speed of Access
One advantage of seeing a private GP is that they are readily available at a time that is convenient to you and offer a shorter waiting time. Most private GPs offer same day appointments and you should expect to be seen within hours of requesting an appointment, not days. Most private GP’s will see their patients on time, and time spent in the waiting room is significantly shorter then when seeing an NHS GP.
Longer Consultations
A private appointment means there is more time for your consultation. You can bring several symptoms or problems to the attention of your GP, rather than just the one problem as is often the case in NHS General Practice. Most private GPs will offer a consultation time of around 30 minutes or even an hour. In this time you are given plenty of time to discuss your concerns, be clinically examined, be investigated thoroughly and referred to a specialist if required. You can expect a full medical examination and a detailed discussion about your family as well as personal medical history in order to fully assess your condition or any risk factor. This is done in an organised, efficient and timely manner. Therefore, your condition will be treated much more quickly, effectively and appropriately.
Flexibility
There tends to be more flexibility in private general practices, offering extended appointment times to provide their patients with ease of access. This may include early morning, lunchtime, evening or even weekend appointments. The London General Practice offer a 24 hour service. With doctors on call covering every hour of the day including Christmas and Bank Holidays visiting you at home, place of work or hotel.
Personalised Bespoke
Treatment
There is normally greater choice in selecting a private GP with patients being able to choose who they wish to see. Patients may have the choice of GPs at a practice and can choose who they prefer to see. This may be for personal reasons or they may prefer a male or female doctor. Similarly, if desired, in the private sector you are more likely to be able to see the same Doctor each time you visit, enhancing the personal experience and quality of care.
Efficiency
Private GPs tend to have access to very best diagnostics, specialists and consultants. Referrals are fast and much quicker. The turnaround time for test results is also quick with blood tests being returned on the same day. For example, we aim to receive results of urgent diagnostic scans on the same day. This means that if you see a private GP in the morning you can expect to have a full examination and the answers to any blood tests or diagnostics by the afternoon, meaning that any concerns are rapidly addressed.
Visits
Private GPs provide house visits coming to you if required. A private GP can see you in your own surroundings and in the comfort of your own home, work or hotel at a time to suit you, for example, after work or at the weekend.
Private GPs also offer a one stop shop where patients can access additional services such as travel vaccinations, blood tests and health screens.
Private GPs offer extensive health screening including cardiovascular health screening, screening for cancer, well woman and well man screening.
Article by Dr Angela Rai. The London General Practice was founded by Dr Paul Ettlinger, one of London’s most respected and well established private doctors. The Practice is based on Harley Street, London and provides UK-based and international patients with a comprehensive range of excellent private healthcare. We pride ourselves on the flexible, personal care we provide to our patients, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Practice consults for many private families, leading insurers, the entertainment industry, numerous multinational companies and prestigious London hotels.
PRIVATE GP SERVICES
Building personal, meaningful relationships with all patients is of the utmost importance for the Practice, as is allowing adequate time for a comprehensive, thorough and accurate personal health assessment.
The London General Practice has consultation facilities on Harley Street, which is linked to an excellent range of diagnostic and analytical facilities, many of which are available in the same building.
In addition to our comprehensive private primary care service, our preventative healthcare service includes general health screening, and also well-woman and well-man health screening, to address gender specific health concerns.
The London General Practice
114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place)
Tel: +44 (0)207 935 1000 www.thelondongeneralpractice.com
Travelling half-way around the world for international relocation is a huge change for even the most well-adjusted adult to manage – so how can we support children experiencing the move, whilst juggling the tricky business of growing up?
American by origin, Merilee Karr is an adopted Brit, having lived in London for the last 18 years, always in the southwest in Fulham and Putney. She founded her short-term lettings company back in 2014 and has built everything to deliver the vision of providing responsible home letting solutions in and around London ever since. Passionate about providing guests with a ‘home from home’ experience and not leaving homes empty when their owners are away, when others could enjoy them, meant that her company UnderTheDoormat was born.
Being American herself, Merilee’s team has been handpicked to help people with a personal service and they can explain everything from the difference in king size beds in London vs. the US, to what to look for in a bathroom - the cute little separate taps in bathroom sinks for hot and cold water can get annoying when you are used to a single faucet. So, fun for a few days but something to avoid when you plan to live there for a few years! We look forward to welcoming you to London as you begin your move so you can make your transition to London as smooth as possible.
In the UK we are fortunate to have access to NHS healthcare; free at the point of delivery, based on needs not ability to pay, and available to all who may require it. However, many people also access the private sector for healthcare and with that draw on the benefits of seeing a private GP, this may well be the case for patients unable to access the NHS.
Article by Dr Angela Rai. The London General Practice was founded by Dr Paul Ettlinger, one of London’s most respected and well established private doctors. The Practice is based on Harley Street, London and provides UK-based and international patients with a comprehensive range of excellent private healthcare. We pride ourselves on the flexible, personal care we provide to our patients, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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