Experience public health care
Nov 21st 2019, 3:10 pm
#16
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Re: Experience public health care
I live in the Axarquia region of Andalucia, and your statement in no way matches my experience. In May, having experienced severe pain in his side over a weekend, my husband went online to book an appointment with his GP at 9.00 am on a Monday morning. He got an appointment at 11.50 the same morning, and after examining him the doctor gave him a note to take to Urgencias at our local hospital. We took a taxi there and arrived at 12.10pm. He was booked in immediately (nobody waiting at Reception) and directed to Triage, where we waited for 5 minutes before being seen. After being triaged we went through to the main waiting room (which was very busy) and waited for 20 minutes before his number came up on screen. Went in to see the doctor who examined him and ordered blood tests, an ECG and a chest X-ray. As we left the doctor's office his name was called for all of those tests, so he had the blood taken and ECG done right away then was accompanied to the X-ray department by a nurse. After waiting for 10 minutes in X-ray that was done, we then returned to the main waiting room where we waited for a further 25 minutes. He was then called in to see the doctor again, who by this time had the all the results on screen, including the blood test results. He prescribed medication and told my husband to go back to see his GP for a check-up in a week's time, after he had finished the course. After leaving the doctor's office a nurse removed the cannula put in for the blood to be taken, and we then left the hospital and took a taxi home, arriving back at 2.30 pm so the whole thing including the GP consultation and the journey to and from the hospital had taken less than 2 and a half hours.
Previously I had accompanied a friend and her young daughter to the same Urgencias Department when the child had a fall and broke her arm. She was triaged immediately, subsequently seen by the doctor, sent for X-rays then had the arm put in a cast and X-rayed again to check the alignment, which all took under 2 hours.
Previously I had accompanied a friend and her young daughter to the same Urgencias Department when the child had a fall and broke her arm. She was triaged immediately, subsequently seen by the doctor, sent for X-rays then had the arm put in a cast and X-rayed again to check the alignment, which all took under 2 hours.
You had this excellent experience in Andalucia. As you know in Spain the are autonomous regions. We lived in the north of Castellon and that is the autonomous region of Valencia. Where we lived it was terrible. Every week you can read the stories in the newspaper. In Spain it really depends on where you live. And at 4 km from where we lived, the health care is excellent. But that is Catalunya and you have no rights to go there. You need to take the health care in the autonomous region where you live.
In Portugal the health care in one region can be better than on another one, but you have the right to go 400 km further for health care if you want.
Last edited by Rosemary; Nov 21st 2019 at 4:30 pm. Reason: corrected quote
Nov 21st 2019, 4:10 pm
#17
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Re: Experience public health care
You had this excellent experience in Andalucia. As you know in Spain the are autonomous regions. We lived in the north of Castellon and that is the autonomous region of Valencia. Where we lived it was terrible. Every week you can read the stories in the newspaper. In Spain it really depends on where you live. And at 4 km from where we lived, the health care is excellent. But that is Catalunya and you have no rights to go there. You need to take the health care in the autonomous region where you live.
.
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And I do not think the health care in Portugal is universally good. In June my sister was killed in a small town about an hour and a half North of Lisbon when she was knocked down by a vehicle whilst crossing the road on a zebra crossing. She had to be treated in a not very well equipped Bombeiros ambulance (totally inadequate for dealing with major trauma) for an hour until a "proper" ambulance arrived at the scene. She was then taken to a small regional hospital in Caldas da Rainha before being airlifted by helicopter to the main trauma hospital in Lisbon. Had she been transported there directly from the scene she may have stood a better chance, we will never know.
Last edited by Rosemary; Nov 21st 2019 at 4:32 pm. Reason: carrected quote
Nov 21st 2019, 4:39 pm
#18
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Re: Experience public health care
I don't dispute that. But your original statement "that would not happen in Spain or France, where you would wait for 6 or 8 hours", is just not true, is it, as it gives the impression that services are that bad everywhere, which they certainly are not - as your latest post makes clear.
And I do not think the health care in Portugal is universally good. In June my sister was killed in a small town about an hour and a half North of Lisbon when she was knocked down by a vehicle whilst crossing the road on a zebra crossing. She had to be treated in a not very well equipped Bombeiros ambulance (totally inadequate for dealing with major trauma) for an hour until a "proper" ambulance arrived at the scene. She was then taken to a small regional hospital in Caldas da Rainha before being airlifted by helicopter to the main trauma hospital in Lisbon. Had she been transported there directly from the scene she may have stood a better chance, we will never know.
And I do not think the health care in Portugal is universally good. In June my sister was killed in a small town about an hour and a half North of Lisbon when she was knocked down by a vehicle whilst crossing the road on a zebra crossing. She had to be treated in a not very well equipped Bombeiros ambulance (totally inadequate for dealing with major trauma) for an hour until a "proper" ambulance arrived at the scene. She was then taken to a small regional hospital in Caldas da Rainha before being airlifted by helicopter to the main trauma hospital in Lisbon. Had she been transported there directly from the scene she may have stood a better chance, we will never know.
Nov 21st 2019, 6:45 pm
#20
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Re: Experience public health care
What a very sad story and it must be hard coming to terms with it even now.
Nov 22nd 2019, 8:06 am
#21
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Re: Experience public health care
Thank you, yes it is, and even more so for her husband (who was with her at the time of the accident) and sons who flew over from England immediately they were told about it, could only get a flight to Faro not Lisbon at such short notice, so had to drive through the night to get to the hospital, got there just too late and were not even allowed to see her to say goodbye by the hospital staff (for legal reasons, they were told).
Nov 22nd 2019, 8:58 am
#22
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Re: Experience public health care
Lynn, I have followed this distressing story, also with sadness, and let me add my own voice of sympathy to those who have posted here, and to the thoughts of many others who will have read this and who read rather than submit posts.
Your experience of the family being denied access at the last seems very cruel. Whilst, I suppose, there might be some over-riding regulation which prevented your access, I suspect this to be a bureaurocratic invention by a local official. It seems to be a peculiarly Portuguese disorder, as illustrated by the differing interpretations of regulations by different officials even within the same C mara.
Your experience of the family being denied access at the last seems very cruel. Whilst, I suppose, there might be some over-riding regulation which prevented your access, I suspect this to be a bureaurocratic invention by a local official. It seems to be a peculiarly Portuguese disorder, as illustrated by the differing interpretations of regulations by different officials even within the same C mara.
Nov 22nd 2019, 9:07 am
#23
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Re: Experience public health care
Lynn, I have followed this distressing story, also with sadness, and let me add my own voice of sympathy to those who have posted here, and to the thoughts of many others who will have read this and who read rather than submit posts.
Your experience of the family being denied access at the last seems very cruel. Whilst, I suppose, there might be some over-riding regulation which prevented your access, I suspect this to be a bureaurocratic invention by a local official. It seems to be a peculiarly Portuguese disorder, as illustrated by the differing interpretations of regulations by different officials even within the same C mara.
Your experience of the family being denied access at the last seems very cruel. Whilst, I suppose, there might be some over-riding regulation which prevented your access, I suspect this to be a bureaurocratic invention by a local official. It seems to be a peculiarly Portuguese disorder, as illustrated by the differing interpretations of regulations by different officials even within the same C mara.
Nov 22nd 2019, 10:11 am
#24
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Location: Porches, Algarve
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Re: Experience public health care
A quick update... So attended the Centro de Saude in Lagoa yesterday for a check up, clean and dressing change. Took a ticket, waited 10 minutes, went to the desk and presented the letter I'd be given from the hospital. Appointment with nurse made for 2 hours later.
Went for lunch and returned later, checked in, waited 10 minutes. Nurse didn't speak much English, but between her English, my Portuguese and Google Translate we got by. She was pleasant, took time to explain what she was doing and why. Checked (healing nicely), cleaned, redressed and a tetanus shot (no bruising, didn't even bleed) for good measure, out the door again 10 minutes later with an appointment for next week to have stitches removed.
Again, absolutely nothing to complain about. Last time I tried to book an appointment with a nurse in the UK it was 3 weeks, not 2 hours... And then she bloody hurt me trying to take blood, stabbing away merrily trying to find a vein with the needle at 90° to my arm!
Went for lunch and returned later, checked in, waited 10 minutes. Nurse didn't speak much English, but between her English, my Portuguese and Google Translate we got by. She was pleasant, took time to explain what she was doing and why. Checked (healing nicely), cleaned, redressed and a tetanus shot (no bruising, didn't even bleed) for good measure, out the door again 10 minutes later with an appointment for next week to have stitches removed.
Again, absolutely nothing to complain about. Last time I tried to book an appointment with a nurse in the UK it was 3 weeks, not 2 hours... And then she bloody hurt me trying to take blood, stabbing away merrily trying to find a vein with the needle at 90° to my arm!
Nov 22nd 2019, 10:15 am
#25
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Re: Experience public health care
What a terrible experience that you and your family are still going through. An accident like that is bad enough, but having it drag on like this is so inconsiderate for you all. Thanks for your input here, which is certainly food for thought for all of us.
Nov 22nd 2019, 5:45 pm
#26
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Re: Experience public health care
Our doctor often rides the air ambulance; they fly directly to road accidents, put down on the roadway, and he reassembles people when he can. He said the copter he flies in is wonderfully equipped, and that means he's able to save lives [he gets high from that].
This is a public service in Portugal, but obviously resources are very limited; how does the dispatcher decide when to send the helicopter?
I assume they have to respond to whatever information is received in the emergency call, it will also depend on whether an aircraft is available to reach that place at that time.
Rural areas everywhere have longer response time for emergency services, Portugal might have it worse than countries with better budgets but I think they do ok when it comes to emergency response.
So sorry what happened to your sister, and to others who didn't get the hep they need in time.
This is a public service in Portugal, but obviously resources are very limited; how does the dispatcher decide when to send the helicopter?
I assume they have to respond to whatever information is received in the emergency call, it will also depend on whether an aircraft is available to reach that place at that time.
Rural areas everywhere have longer response time for emergency services, Portugal might have it worse than countries with better budgets but I think they do ok when it comes to emergency response.
So sorry what happened to your sister, and to others who didn't get the hep they need in time.
Nov 26th 2019, 8:39 am
#27
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Re: Experience public health care
Nov 26th 2019, 8:49 am
#28
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Re: Experience public health care
I think the public health system here and be an absolute hit or a miss! Geographical lottery even! My wife had both our children in a public hospital, she's been operated twice in the same hospital and found the treatment excellent. However I've had the complete opposite on various occasions at 2 different hospitals, worst was being told after 6 hours in A&E being told to go home and "drink water" when I actually just headed to a private hospital only be rushed straight into intensive care with inflammation of the heart!
In general considering how bad Portugal's finances are, the public system is not bad. The main problem with it and why an insurance is a nice luxury to have is due to the waiting times to see a specialist. It was recently on TV saying in Lisbon people are waiting up to 2 years to see a cardiologist, in a private that would be within a couple of days at most so could be life saving!
In general considering how bad Portugal's finances are, the public system is not bad. The main problem with it and why an insurance is a nice luxury to have is due to the waiting times to see a specialist. It was recently on TV saying in Lisbon people are waiting up to 2 years to see a cardiologist, in a private that would be within a couple of days at most so could be life saving!
Nov 26th 2019, 2:58 pm
#29
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Re: Experience public health care
And then there's private health all bells ringing UK based international health plans that cost eye-watering amounts per month...........
or there are Portuguese private health policies through places like EDP, Credito Agricola Bank, and many many more, much cheaper than above - but I dont know how good they are.............( any comments welcome !)
then finally the schemes where you just get a discount to use a private hospital or service, like through AFPOP membership. I am totally confused.
or there are Portuguese private health policies through places like EDP, Credito Agricola Bank, and many many more, much cheaper than above - but I dont know how good they are.............( any comments welcome !)
then finally the schemes where you just get a discount to use a private hospital or service, like through AFPOP membership. I am totally confused.
Nov 26th 2019, 5:19 pm
#30
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Re: Experience public health care
And then there's private health all bells ringing UK based international health plans that cost eye-watering amounts per month...........
or there are Portuguese private health policies through places like EDP, Credito Agricola Bank, and many many more, much cheaper than above - but I dont know how good they are.............( any comments welcome !)
then finally the schemes where you just get a discount to use a private hospital or service, like through AFPOP membership. I am totally confused.
or there are Portuguese private health policies through places like EDP, Credito Agricola Bank, and many many more, much cheaper than above - but I dont know how good they are.............( any comments welcome !)
then finally the schemes where you just get a discount to use a private hospital or service, like through AFPOP membership. I am totally confused.
If you wan't a proper health insurance that's going to cover all eventualities and save you having to go to the public system then you should be looking at companies like Multicare(the best and what I sell!
) Medis, Allianz and MGEN (latter especially if you're over 70). Prices very much depend on the cover you go for and hugely depend on your age too. British to be honest are not big buyers of health insurance here, mainly I get Americans and South Africans. That said, recently and I think due to Brexit more for sure are inquiring about it.