Re: Finding it tough!
 

I expected problems and had been following forums for years before comming here and so knew there may be a problem with things, however I still think it is a bad lot.
I thought it would be a different sort of problem to not being able to see a doc for over four months when you think you may have cancer.
It has been about a year since I was able to post anything because I turned in on myself. Its not just isolation from the outside world or things like that.
Supremegermalene is doing the same as I did.
She has mentioned that she is keeping things from oh as he has enough to deal with at the moment. That is what I did and it nearly broke me.
We came out here and my oh was as happy as larry and I didnt want to burst his bubble. It led to big problems,in more ways than one.
What I am trying to say is..........

Supremegermalene
Please dont bottle it up,vent on here, send me a pm if necessary just keep talking. I didnt and it nearly cost everything.We isolate ourselves as women with our need to protect and nurture and put ourselves at the bottom of the list. Try not to or do what I do and go and have a bloody good cry.
Thinking of you

Re: Finding it tough!
 

That's what these forums are for, to give each other advice and support. You occasionally get the odd numb nut but they don't normally last long:thumbup:

Re: Finding it tough!
 

Hello to you in Madeira, I trust you do know a little of Portuguese history and the economica of the country prior to it joining the EU and subsequently. In many aspects of day to day life it would appear to be still emerging from the "Third world" as you put it, however there are leading edge developments going on Portugal with Photovoltaic generation of electricity with the first and largest panel farm in Europe being in the Alentejo. Portugal exports most of the Cork the WORLD uses and has been very forward thinking in how to use cork not only for the wine industry, which sadly is turning to plastic - the dreaded world pollutant - but now in clothing, umbrellas, luggage and so on. Don't forget that cork is natural and is grown with love and attention by the very people you infer are in the "third World". The off shore wave power generation happening along the western coast was the first to be installed in Europe using turbines and huge snake like pipes that were built in Scotland. The first conjoined twins were separated by a Lisbon sugeon many years ago. Sailing, navigation, fishing, textiles, shoe manufacture, car making are all industries that were world renowed before the EU started to govern Portugal. Yes we know the health service is not run in the same way as UK, but this is under tremendous pressure from old hospitals, old equipment, too few medics and doctors but they are all working hard to change things with new hospitals under way etc. One main problem is that of the growing population in Portugal. The population in the Algarve alone is mammoth compared to even 10 years ago and the hospital in Faro is imploding. However a new one is underway and should ease the load. Please try not to knock the Portuguese all the time, as they are adapting to change just as we all are, and some of it they don't want either just like us. If you visit UK for medical treatment I take it you are not a resident of Portugal. If you are then you should be using the Portuguese system. There are very good doctors around and to see them privately is not a massive amount and this again if you are a resident and submit tax returns you can get a lot of the costs back as a tax refund. Something you cannot do in UK !!!!!! try waiting 10 hours with repeated calls, for an ambulance as the out of hours call centre operator ( no medical training) deemed the case non urgent - needless to say the lady was very ill and is now in intensive care. Dial 999 is what people have to do to get anywhere near the service of old here in UK. here is wishing you well. By the way who ever needs special dog food try the animal hospital in Spain near Seville. happy days, smile, it is never as bad as you think.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

Joao,
Many thanks for the reply.
I am a resident in Portugal (Madeira Island since 1999) and my experience of Funchal Infirmary, (twice) led me to return to UK for kidney treatment. Where health is concerned, I'll go to wherever I think I will get the best treatment.
Don't get me wrong. I love PT, its history, its language and her people. And I admire the way PT is modernising itself and all its successes. Otherwise I wouldn't have stayed so long.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

Speak as you find...I suppose, however, I am fortunate enough to have been a resident of continental Portugal for a number of years, with all the ups and downs that one experiences...in this period, two of my family have required and promptly received major medical treatment, given the correct diagnosis (mis-diagnosed elsewhere..guess?) and we went for the resulting surgery in Portugal...yes, we had a choice.

Words are not enough to compliment all the paramedics, doctors, nurses, surgeons, tea ladies, cleaners, Joao Bloggs and his family in the next bed, the guys and girls in the cafes and shops, Portuguese colleagues, school friends, teachers...etc..the list is endless.

All bloody fantastic and so supportive!!

Portugal may be a little tatty around the edges but, my god, what a heart!

Truthfully, I am humbled by the people of this country.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

João: Portugal has the lowest birth rate in the EU. Actually last year the number of deaths was bigger than the new borns, so the population decreased. Last year some 900 primary scholls closed due to lack of children, and the governement as recently anounced that this year about 500 scholls will close. A tragedy I think, no big future for a country with this outlook, have to say. People can not afford children anymore. Yes, a catholic catholic country were the pill is the contraceptive more used of all...

Re: Finding it tough!
 

We have had this discussion before and I think it was Ged that brought it up, if you are a resident of Portugal or any other country you are not entitled to go back to the UK for NHS treatment.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

I have a residence in the UK.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

don´t know if it is the same for madeira, but if you spend more than 6 months in Portugal you are automatically a resident, regardless if you apply for residency.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

I've just read your post and i must say that i am disgusted with your attitude.
You say you been here for 18 month. That makes you a guest in Portugal.
You left Brown's nanny state to live here in Portugal to face reality, good, bad or otherwise. Being British or anything else does not put you on top of any list. If you were that scared, you would have got your cheque book out a long time ago. After all, had your car packed up, you would have had it fixed and paid for it. But healthcare has to be free, at all cost, even if it kills you. Yes quite. But then, in your own words, you don't give a shit about anything or anybody but yourself. Drugs are readily available. The place you get them from is called a PHARMACIA and VETENARIO for your dog. And if everything fails, there are cheap return flights available to countries that are absolutely perfect.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

Whilst I may not have put it in the same way as the previous poster there is a minority of the Expat population who want all the benefits of Portugal with the best of the UK and cannot understand that it is not possible.

A very large percentage of expats have the advatage of getting back on a 3 hour flight to the UK and the welcoming arms of the NHS which the inhanitants of Portugal cannot.

Expats should not critisize that which they have not contributed towards.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

I probably didnt voice what I wanted to say in a very eloquent way.
I know I am a guest here, But my reply was to the origonal thread set up by someone who is feeling wobbly and meant to confirm that it is a scary place to be. I am not rich English. I also wanted to embrace every thing about Portugal including doing the whole health thing locally. I waited the desired length of time for the appointments etc and did everything their way. One day you wake up and realise that four months have gone past and you might be in trouble.
I couldnt afford to go back at the time and had to save for another two months to go private.
My feelings about if that situation arose in Uk is that I would be horrified if anyone felt as scared as I did, and I stand by that.
I am always on a learning curve here and listen to info given to me. I know what a pharmacy and a vet is.
I have no political views about what is right or wrong aboout here or anywhere else for that matter and that is why I can only go on each situation as it happens.
Im sorry you feel I dont give a shit about anyone else as that is actually far from it. My view was bourne out of frustration not spite although rereading my post does make it look like the latter i agree.
I gave many years working in the care industry and trying to make a difference for other people.
But perhaps you are right.
I am not welcome here.

Re: Finding it tough!
 

Many thanks .

Re: Finding it tough!
 

================================================== ========

Must apply the other way too i.e. if you are more than 6 months in the UK then you are automaticaly resident? Is that not how it works.

Like João, he must have been back in the UK more than 6 months now so
will have changed his Pt residency to a British one.??

regards

Re: Finding it tough!
 

I thought these Forums were supposed to be a way of interacting with other expats and sharing experiences be they good or bad, then I read your post above and felt the need to take issue with it.
Any citizen of the EU has a legal right to reside in any other EU Country, therefore they cannot be a guest, they are there by right.
Where in Theantikid's post do they ask for prefferential treatment for the British?
Where in her post (I assume they are female by the mention of a third boob) does it say that she is not paying into the Portuguese Social Security for healthcare? (It ain't cheap by any means & I was accustomed to paying £350 a month for UK National Insurance which paid for my right to use the NHS when I was residing there.)
I read it a she didn't give a s##t about her doctor's personal problems which I can understand if she had a health scare and was not given the opportunity to see another doctor. Surely if someone makes an appointment with a doctor it is because they need healthcare and an alternative doctor should have been made available.
If you read her post you would have seen that she does know where the Vetenario is as it was her vet who gave her this information.
I read her post as one written in commiseration to the original poster, and supporting that poster by outlining her own experiences she is trying to let the original poster know that they are not alone in experiencing worries and fears.
So try getting off your sactimonious high horse and then others won't be as disgusted with your attitude like you were with hers!

Theantikid,
Re your last post about not being welcome here, please don't let the rantings of one person drive you away, you yourself told the original poster not to withdraw into themselves. Sagalaut is but one of thousands of people on this site, don't let them bully you off.