State healthcare system.
Dec 28th 2017, 4:00 pm
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2012
Location: Viana do Castelo
Posts: 1,385
State healthcare system.
Went to my state family doctor today to test the system for the first time. I still have private medical but I wanted to see how efficient it works.
All I needed was some BP medication so I showed reception the box and she typed out a note for me that looked like a receipt for a €2,50 payment and said I must return next Friday for the script.
Now what happens if I was feeling ill? Would I still have to wait a week?
All I needed was some BP medication so I showed reception the box and she typed out a note for me that looked like a receipt for a €2,50 payment and said I must return next Friday for the script.
Now what happens if I was feeling ill? Would I still have to wait a week?
Dec 28th 2017, 4:35 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,031
Re: State healthcare system.
Did she mean next Friday, or tomorrow Friday?
A common error by non-native speakers of English is that "next Friday" must be the next one to arrive, unaware that the phrase is [probably] a shortened form of "next week Friday".
I've caught it a few times.
A common error by non-native speakers of English is that "next Friday" must be the next one to arrive, unaware that the phrase is [probably] a shortened form of "next week Friday".
I've caught it a few times.
Dec 28th 2017, 6:45 pm
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 970
Re: State healthcare system.
It will be there tomorrow.
The 2.50 you paid is for a prescription without seeing the doctor, as in a repeat prescription. Normally donw within 24 hours and if you doc is on holiday, then another doc will do it.
4.50 is seeing the doctor for a problem.
Although in saying that, I used to have to "see" the doc, to get my prescription. but now they know me here, no worries.
The 2.50 you paid is for a prescription without seeing the doctor, as in a repeat prescription. Normally donw within 24 hours and if you doc is on holiday, then another doc will do it.
4.50 is seeing the doctor for a problem.
Although in saying that, I used to have to "see" the doc, to get my prescription. but now they know me here, no worries.
Dec 28th 2017, 7:06 pm
#4
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,724
Re: State healthcare system.
Tomorrow is THIS Friday, the 5th Jan is NEXT Friday.
better to check the date rather than the day.
Dec 28th 2017, 8:42 pm
#5
Polished expat
Joined: Jul 2014
Location: Arcos de Valdevez "Onde Portugal se fez"
Posts: 16,820
Dec 29th 2017, 5:23 am
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: central Portugal
Posts: 4,111
Re: State healthcare system.
FWIW, My Centro de Saude now has a system where I can email my Doctor for a repeat prescription which is emailed & SMSd to me (usually) within a day or two at no cost so it might be worth asking if they have the same service?
I am diabetic though so get free prescriptions (for diabetic meds) anyway.
I am diabetic though so get free prescriptions (for diabetic meds) anyway.
Dec 29th 2017, 3:01 pm
#7
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2012
Location: Viana do Castelo
Posts: 1,385
Re: State healthcare system.
I think you guys are correct about the "next Friday" and "next week Friday".
I doubt the email/sms method is used here because they never asked for my cell number or my email address. How would I be able to pay the €2,50?
I doubt the email/sms method is used here because they never asked for my cell number or my email address. How would I be able to pay the €2,50?
Dec 30th 2017, 7:19 am
#8
Polished expat
Joined: Jul 2014
Location: Arcos de Valdevez "Onde Portugal se fez"
Posts: 16,820
Re: State healthcare system.
SMS is certainly used round here - you go to the health centre to request and pay but you don't have to return to collect the prescription itself.
Dec 30th 2017, 3:45 pm
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 657
Re: State healthcare system.
I learned the way the Portuguese cope with repeat prescriptions - they get the first one from the Doctor - take it to be filled out then ask the Pharmacist to give it back to them - saying they will be needing it again.
Not saying all Pharmacies will allow it, but I have tried this myself and it worked fine
Not saying all Pharmacies will allow it, but I have tried this myself and it worked fine
Dec 30th 2017, 4:14 pm
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 970
Re: State healthcare system.
Most repeat prescriptions are valid for 6 months. Also, if you ask for a tres vias, then you'll get three prescriptions in one. All the pharmacist will do is write on the form how many you have left.
Unless it's different in different parts of Portugal, that's how it works here.
Unless it's different in different parts of Portugal, that's how it works here.
Dec 30th 2017, 5:10 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: central Portugal
Posts: 4,111
Re: State healthcare system.
In my case I don't pay because I'm diabetic but I believe that all SMS or email ones are free....... Could be wrong on that though.
Dec 30th 2017, 5:42 pm
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,031
Re: State healthcare system.
Most repeat prescriptions are valid for 6 months. Also, if you ask for a tres vias, then you'll get three prescriptions in one. All the pharmacist will do is write on the form how many you have left.
Unless it's different in different parts of Portugal, that's how it works here.
Unless it's different in different parts of Portugal, that's how it works here.
My pharmacist tells me that she can repeat most prescriptions for her patients without any further paperwork, as a registered pharmacist; this excludes anything narcotic, which is on a stricter regime.
However, when she does that we don't benefit from the state subsidy on medicines. Sometimes that's significant, sometimes it's not.
