If you’re getting ready to foster, one of the first things you’ll come across is the fostering medical form, officially known as Form AH (Adult Health Report). It’s the document your GP or medical adviser uses to build a full picture of your health, and it forms the basis of your fostering medical report. It can feel like a lot to take in at first, so here’s exactly what it is, who fills in what, and how to approach it. For more on the wider checks involved, The Fostering Network's guide to foster carer medicals is a useful starting point.
What Is Form AH?
Form AH is the standard health report used across fostering and adoption assessments. It asks about your current health, past illnesses, any medications you take, your family’s medical history, whether you smoke, how much you drink, and your level of exercise, among other things. It can feel intrusive, but every question is there to help your GP or medical adviser build an accurate, complete picture of your health and functional ability. It's the same standard report referenced in CoramBAAF's guidance for GPs on completing fostering and adoption medical reports.
Who Fills In Each Section?
The form has two parts. You complete the applicant section yourself, covering your own account of your health and lifestyle. The GP section is then completed by a doctor, either your own GP practice or, if that’s not possible, an independent medical provider experienced in fostering medicals.
If your own GP practice is able to complete the GP section, you won’t need to request your medical records separately. If you’re using an independent provider instead, getting hold of your GP records becomes one of the most important things you can do early on. GP practices can take up to a month to provide records, so it’s worth requesting them as soon as you know you’ll need them. You can ask for them in any format, but an electronic copy tends to make the process smoother for everyone.
Being Honest on the Form
The most common mistake applicants make is leaving things out because they’re worried a health issue will count against them. It almost always backfires. If you’ve managed a health condition well for years, say so. If something’s on medication and working, say that too. The people reviewing your form aren’t looking for reasons to say no, they’re trying to understand your situation properly so they can give the panel accurate information to work with.
It’s also worth remembering to include the positive parts of your health and lifestyle, not just any problems. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, good sleep, and a strong support network all form part of the picture, and they matter just as much as any conditions you’re managing.
What If My GP Can’t Complete the Form?
Sometimes a GP practice is unable or unwilling to complete the form, or the wait is too long for your agency’s timescale. If that happens, there are alternative routes available, including independent medical providers who specialise in fostering and adoption medicals and can complete your assessment without going through your own GP practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fostering Medical Form
What is Form AH?
Form AH, also called the Adult Health Report, is the standard form used in fostering and adoption medical assessments. It covers your health history, medications, family medical history, and lifestyle, and is completed partly by you and partly by a GP.
Who completes the fostering medical form?
You complete your own section covering your personal health history. A GP, either your own or an independent provider, completes the clinical section based on your medical records and an assessment.
Do I need to get my own GP records?
Only if your own GP practice isn't completing the GP section of the form. If you're using an independent medical provider, you'll usually need to request your GP records yourself, and this can take up to a month, so it's worth starting early.
Will being honest about a health condition on the form count against me?
No. Being open about a health condition, especially one that's well managed, gives a more accurate picture and helps avoid delays later. Leaving things out is far more likely to cause problems than disclosing them.
What happens if my GP can't complete my fostering medical form?
If your own GP practice can't complete the form in time, or isn't able to take it on, independent medical providers who specialise in fostering and adoption medicals can complete your assessment instead.