Ukkram

At least they could have cleaned and dressed the wound and sent us off with a script for antibiotics and pain pills.
The inflammation is worse today and we may need to go back tomorrow again.

Ukkram

I had no problem with that and I even mentioned that he was a very pleasant person. I just expected the higher educated people to be well travelled and at least have a basic knowledge of English as is my experience here.

EMR

Move south and you will not have that problem.
Maybe it woukd gave been better at the public hospital.

GeniB

Hmmn The story isn't getting any better is it

I must admit I would have expected the doc(or nurse )to clean an open wound and dress it especially as the arm was so swollen..Was your wife in real pain? or would a couple of paracetemols have worked just as well? Not at all keen on the giving of Antibiotics..and neither should you be..i was going to start a post on the fact that Germany has warned all it's docs that they will be heavily fined for misuse of Antibiotics in the future and could be struck off.I see it's the headlines in the Daily Dirt today..The UK going down the same road.About time..

OnecalledBob

I'm sorry, but I really don't know where you get your information from. I have had the misfortune to attend both Portimao and Faro hospitals on a regular basis, as well as a couple of private hospitals in the Algarve and can assure you that there are plenty of doctors who do not (or will not) speak a word of English. I'm interested to learn of your personal experience in attending these hospitals, rather than just heresay.

EMR

We have a very close friend who is recovering from throat cancer.
After attending faro he was sent to a specialist in lisbon where the operation , chemo and lengthy recovery process were done.
He and his family have only the highest praise for the medical service in Portugal.
Such a complex treatment coukd not havd been carried out without the doctors involved being able to explain in ENGLISH every step.
Coincidentally there son had oreviously broken his arm at school abd again no comunication problems at the Albuferia centre and then at faro hospital.
Their daughter also underwent surgery at the Alvor private clinic after initial consultations at Faro.

RichardHenshall

I thought that too. I wonder if they didn't realise that you had insurance. When insurance is involved it's usually more common to have too many tests and be over-treated ...

OnecalledBob

As I thought, heresay not personal experience, as with so many of your posts.

Ukkram

I did state in my post about her Allianz Card miraculously appeared at each reception without us taking it there.

EMR

Typical response of the type of expat who expects everyone he comes into contact with to speak english and treat him as someone special.
I have news for you, you are not special, if you want to make yourself understood learn some Portuguese even if it only for tbe various ailments you suffer from.
It would help those treating you.

OnecalledBob

I have news for you with your patronising comments, I speak Portuguese, I didn't say that I didn't, nor that I expected anyone to speak English. I merely stated MY experience of the doctors that I have come across in the Algarve hospitals.
You are quite right about one thing though, I am a fully fledged expat who pays taxes here and does everything by the book, I don't just come here on holiday as you do and think I know everything there is to know about the country. I bet you still keep your house and no doubt your tax bill in the UK, but still you have the gall to criticise anyone who has made the move here and dares to express an opinion of some aspect of living here that they do not like, or consider that can be improved. You need to take off the tinted spectacles and get real. Why you childishly feel it necessary to make mention of 'my ailments' is beyond me and really does just highlight your mentality.

Ukkram

EMR. We all try our best to learn the language but it is a known fact that the older the person is, the more difficult it becomes.

I am fluent in 3 languages as I learned them as a youngster. I will never be able to learn Portuguese enough to converse in it in my lifetime.

I learn all the basic stuff and it sticks but "converse" will never happen.

EMR

I am in the same boat, for every few words I learn on one visit I forget half if them the next.
However if I was a regular visitor for treatment I would want to know something of the Portuguese for my problems and the likely treatment. If nothing else because I hate hospitals.
We have visited people in the new albufeira hospital and all the conversation with english patients were carried out in English.

Ingles

Well one things for sure EMR :-
Judging by the bitterness & spite & lack off quality in a lot off your post ,which includes the terrible spelling , which seems to get worse as the day progress, one trend's to think that one off the phrase in PT you have off pat includes "gin e tonic por favour"

OnecalledBob

In your dream world, everything in the Algarve is just perfect isn't it? If you ever make the move here, which I doubt you will, I'd put money on you viewing some things a little differently.