Do you worry about your health?
Jan 14th 2007, 12:18 pm
#1
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Do you worry about your health?
Some 8 months before we moved here and I was talking to a guy In Stratford on Avon who had lived in Spain but returned some months before. When I told him we were moving he said "you don't want to be doing that .... Spains OK unless you are ill and then its a big problem".
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
Jan 14th 2007, 12:33 pm
#2
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Joined: Mar 2006
Location: el puerto, cadiz province
Posts: 312
Re: Do you worry about your health?
Some 8 months before we moved here and I was talking to a guy In Stratford on Avon who had lived in Spain but returned some months before. When I told him we were moving he said "you don't want to be doing that .... Spains OK unless you are ill and then its a big problem".
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
Compared to the UK health system, i would prefer spanish ANYTIME!!!!! Dont want to go into it but the uk system is Sh++. If it is only the language to cause problems then get a translator if you are sick. The UK may seem further advanced than here, but the NHS is in crisis. Very sadly I have had to deal with the NHS a great deal in the last 6 years. And it has let me down in ways you would not believe.
I had to fight to save the lifes of both of my children. They were not given the care you would think they have the right to.
I left England serving as the Chairman of the childrens Ambulatory Care unit in Maidstone hospital. What I saw behind the scenes is shocking. I took the position to try and make a difference, I couldn't.
look into other options for confidence, but in my experience the UK really sucks for health care.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Jan 14th 2007, 12:52 pm
#3
this is me
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Jerez
Posts: 832
Re: Do you worry about your health?
Dont worry,
I can only tell you about my experiences.
My mum and her friend came to stay with in a couple of months f us being here, Mums friend complained of a bad tummy, it was saturday afternoon, and not knowing too much about the clinic in the village we headed to the local hospital. At the time my spanish was limited, but well I had a go, we went to the desk and explained using a bit of sign language and the spanish I had, She was asked for her E111 which she handed over, we were asked to wait in a waiting area, with in mins she was called to see the Doctor I went in with her to help with any language problems MMMMM any way the Doctor spoke perfect english, I have to add we dont live in an expat community we are very rural and only a handful of Brits live in the area. The Doctor examined her, she was taken to give both a water and a urine sample and was xrayed, with in 30 mins she had seen the Doctor 2 examined and diagnosed with in 45 mins of arriving we were leaving with medication ( and no car park charge LOL).
I can not praise the service enough and neither could my mum and her friend.
I have had to visit the hospital and the medical centre quite a few time since not for us but taking a spanish friend, at all times she has had first class service no waiting in busy waiting rooms, she has been called in with in mins of arriving and the Doctors have been fantastic She wanted me to see the kind of service they have.
The elderly lady who lives behind our house went to have her opp in Allicanti a long way from where we live I couldnt understand why and then at Christmas it became clear Her daughter lives in Allicanti so she was taken there for her operation so her daughter could look after her.
I can only say that the guy in Stratford, found problems and pherhaps as in the Uk the Hospitals are not all the same, then again my mum and her friend were puzzled as they have friends that live in Spain and come home to the Uk for any treatment, My only explanation to them was pherhaps they dont live here permantly and are not on the pardon. Because they said that they would have had to wait for hours and not had the same sort of treatment in there local Hospital.
I can only tell you about my experiences.
My mum and her friend came to stay with in a couple of months f us being here, Mums friend complained of a bad tummy, it was saturday afternoon, and not knowing too much about the clinic in the village we headed to the local hospital. At the time my spanish was limited, but well I had a go, we went to the desk and explained using a bit of sign language and the spanish I had, She was asked for her E111 which she handed over, we were asked to wait in a waiting area, with in mins she was called to see the Doctor I went in with her to help with any language problems MMMMM any way the Doctor spoke perfect english, I have to add we dont live in an expat community we are very rural and only a handful of Brits live in the area. The Doctor examined her, she was taken to give both a water and a urine sample and was xrayed, with in 30 mins she had seen the Doctor 2 examined and diagnosed with in 45 mins of arriving we were leaving with medication ( and no car park charge LOL).
I can not praise the service enough and neither could my mum and her friend.
I have had to visit the hospital and the medical centre quite a few time since not for us but taking a spanish friend, at all times she has had first class service no waiting in busy waiting rooms, she has been called in with in mins of arriving and the Doctors have been fantastic She wanted me to see the kind of service they have.
The elderly lady who lives behind our house went to have her opp in Allicanti a long way from where we live I couldnt understand why and then at Christmas it became clear Her daughter lives in Allicanti so she was taken there for her operation so her daughter could look after her.
I can only say that the guy in Stratford, found problems and pherhaps as in the Uk the Hospitals are not all the same, then again my mum and her friend were puzzled as they have friends that live in Spain and come home to the Uk for any treatment, My only explanation to them was pherhaps they dont live here permantly and are not on the pardon. Because they said that they would have had to wait for hours and not had the same sort of treatment in there local Hospital.
Jan 14th 2007, 1:35 pm
#4
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,359
Re: Do you worry about your health?
Health care is something that we worry about, but not to the extent that we would go home. We have joined one of the many private clinics and for a family membership of only 12 euros a month (thats for the family no matter if it's only one person or eight). We get to see a family doctor straight away with out an appointment, have our blood pressure checked as many time as we want and we get discount on any treatment we have. In England I suffered from High Blood Pressure for 16 years, (That's what comes of working in the NHS) the family doctor would not prescribe my medication for me he said I had to see a cardiologist. Got to see him the next day!! I had ECG, heart scan, full blood tests. In England my BP was not just high it was through the roof the DR here was shocked and with in 6 months it was down to normal and it has stayed there with good after care. The cost was not bad really less than 100Euros over 6 months, we are on a very tight fixed income but even we managed to cope with that. The one draw back with our clinic is only one lady speaks English and we have to wait for her to be with us when we see the doctor. All so it was picked up that I had high cholesterol and they wanted to put me on medication straight away, but as I worked with Lipid specialists in England I knew I could managed that on diet for the time being.
I have to agree through we tend not to go to the Dr with every ache and pain, we do however use the Farmacia more, maybe if people in England did that for coughs and colds, splinters in the finger, bee stings it would free up the NHS a little bit more.
I have to agree through we tend not to go to the Dr with every ache and pain, we do however use the Farmacia more, maybe if people in England did that for coughs and colds, splinters in the finger, bee stings it would free up the NHS a little bit more.
Jan 14th 2007, 1:39 pm
#5
has got a huge member
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Jerez de la Frontera
Posts: 1,656
Re: Do you worry about your health?
Some 8 months before we moved here and I was talking to a guy In Stratford on Avon who had lived in Spain but returned some months before. When I told him we were moving he said "you don't want to be doing that .... Spains OK unless you are ill and then its a big problem".
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
Hi Mitzy
There will always be individual cases and exceptions to the rule, but the Spanish health systems is generally regarded as much better than in the UK.
I have two experiences of the Spanish version of NHS emergency care and couldn´t fault either occasion. I am also a member of a private clinic which we tend to go to for more routine stuff and all I can say is Wow! It´s like a 5 star hotel treatment, and only costs me 60 euros a month.
Admittedly an inability to communicate with the doctors could be a problem if you can´t speak spanish, but as mentioned elsewhere if you don´t want to learn, just take a translator with you.
Jan 14th 2007, 1:42 pm
#6
has got a huge member
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Jerez de la Frontera
Posts: 1,656
Re: Do you worry about your health?
I just spotted your post after submitting mine. Is 12 euros a month for membership of a clinic, or is is private health insurance? If it is the latter, which company as it sounds really cheap? I thought my 60 euros a month was cheap for insurance, but 12?????
Jan 14th 2007, 2:09 pm
#7
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,359
Re: Do you worry about your health?
Compared to the UK health system, i would prefer spanish ANYTIME!!!!! Dont want to go into it but the uk system is Sh++. If it is only the language to cause problems then get a translator if you are sick. The UK may seem further advanced than here, but the NHS is in crisis. Very sadly I have had to deal with the NHS a great deal in the last 6 years. And it has let me down in ways you would not believe.
I had to fight to save the lifes of both of my children. They were not given the care you would think they have the right to.
I left England serving as the Chairman of the childrens Ambulatory Care unit in Maidstone hospital. What I saw behind the scenes is shocking. I took the position to try and make a difference, I couldn't.
look into other options for confidence, but in my experience the UK really sucks for health care.
xxxxxxxxxxx
I had to fight to save the lifes of both of my children. They were not given the care you would think they have the right to.
I left England serving as the Chairman of the childrens Ambulatory Care unit in Maidstone hospital. What I saw behind the scenes is shocking. I took the position to try and make a difference, I couldn't.
look into other options for confidence, but in my experience the UK really sucks for health care.
xxxxxxxxxxx
It so sad that a once much prized NHS (admired by the rest of the world) has reach the state that it is now, I will not go into the where and what fores but it is correct to say that it has it problems and they sadly have been much published in the papers of late. Your experience must have been horrific for you and I truly sympathize with you and I do hope things have turned out for you and your family health wise.
I retired from the NHS April 2005 and I keep in contact with my friends that still (for their sins work there) and I have been told that moral has finally reach rock bottom. One of the reason I left was due to the government new guidelines everyone had to be re-avail their job description. I worked with people that work shifts over a 24/7 period everyday of the year in pathology and all the thanks they have received for it is a cut in their salary, in my case if I had stayed by 2009 my salary would have been reduced by 1/4, and even with this the people behind the scenes are still working there for you it is not NHS but the government who have set such ridiculous guidelines.
Maryann please do not think I am belittling your experience I am, for from it; sadly in my job I saw this everyday and there was nothing I could do about except to be there for patients and ther family, and to be there for them if they needed to vent there feelings to me and not my staff.
God bless you Maryann and your family, you have a new life here in Spain and by the sounds of things a very strong marriage. Good Luck.
XX
Jan 14th 2007, 2:17 pm
#8
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,359
Re: Do you worry about your health?
It is one of the many medical clinics you see on every street corner, that fee also includes in case if an emergency as ambulance sent to you home with a doctor and nurse, they will treat you at home if they can. or take you to the clinic for treatment if that is what is needed. We were told by the director of the clinic that if we want after that we can be transferred to a Spanish Hospital were we won't have to pay!! We went with this as it means we don't have to sit for ages in the Social and be pushed pilar to post.. Our friends are spanish (lived many years in England) but they say they even find it a stressful thing to do, if you were not ill before you went you are by the time you leave. Their words not mine. Is that 60euros just for you is that for your partner as well?
Jan 14th 2007, 2:39 pm
#9
this is me
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Jerez
Posts: 832
Re: Do you worry about your health?
It is one of the many medical clinics you see on every street corner, that fee also includes in case if an emergency as ambulance sent to you home with a doctor and nurse, they will treat you at home if they can. or take you to the clinic for treatment if that is what is needed. We were told by the director of the clinic that if we want after that we can be transferred to a Spanish Hospital were we won't have to pay!! We went with this as it means we don't have to sit for ages in the Social and be pushed pilar to post.. Our friends are spanish (lived many years in England) but they say they even find it a stressful thing to do, if you were not ill before you went you are by the time you leave. Their words not mine. Is that 60euros just for you is that for your partner as well?
Jan 14th 2007, 2:49 pm
#10
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Re: Do you worry about your health?
Well thanks, this is all quite illuminating and interesting. I've decided that as its the one thing that concerns me I'd better address it.
I have, by the way, no doubts about the Spanish Health system in ability, I'm more concerned at the moment as a non Spanish speaker getting through the health centre and getting accurate prognosis
How did you find these private clinics, because I heeard they existed but haven't been able to find one (other than for osteopathy) around here.
So you can go to these clinics for medicals, general medicine etc and if there is anything more serious then you can be referred to a Spanish national system doctor? So it in effect replaces the health centre, is that right?
I have, by the way, no doubts about the Spanish Health system in ability, I'm more concerned at the moment as a non Spanish speaker getting through the health centre and getting accurate prognosis
How did you find these private clinics, because I heeard they existed but haven't been able to find one (other than for osteopathy) around here.
So you can go to these clinics for medicals, general medicine etc and if there is anything more serious then you can be referred to a Spanish national system doctor? So it in effect replaces the health centre, is that right?
Jan 14th 2007, 3:05 pm
#11
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Joined: Mar 2006
Location: el puerto, cadiz province
Posts: 312
Re: Do you worry about your health?
Hi Maryann
It so sad that a once much prized NHS (admired by the rest of the world) has reach the state that it is now, I will not go into the where and what fores but it is correct to say that it has it problems and they sadly have been much published in the papers of late. Your experience must have been horrific for you and I truly sympathize with you and I do hope things have turned out for you and your family health wise.
I retired from the NHS April 2005 and I keep in contact with my friends that still (for their sins work there) and I have been told that moral has finally reach rock bottom. One of the reason I left was due to the government new guidelines everyone had to be re-avail their job description. I worked with people that work shifts over a 24/7 period everyday of the year in pathology and all the thanks they have received for it is a cut in their salary, in my case if I had stayed by 2009 my salary would have been reduced by 1/4, and even with this the people behind the scenes are still working there for you it is not NHS but the government who have set such ridiculous guidelines.
Maryann please do not think I am belittling your experience I am, for from it; sadly in my job I saw this everyday and there was nothing I could do about except to be there for patients and ther family, and to be there for them if they needed to vent there feelings to me and not my staff.
God bless you Maryann and your family, you have a new life here in Spain and by the sounds of things a very strong marriage. Good Luck.
XX
It so sad that a once much prized NHS (admired by the rest of the world) has reach the state that it is now, I will not go into the where and what fores but it is correct to say that it has it problems and they sadly have been much published in the papers of late. Your experience must have been horrific for you and I truly sympathize with you and I do hope things have turned out for you and your family health wise.
I retired from the NHS April 2005 and I keep in contact with my friends that still (for their sins work there) and I have been told that moral has finally reach rock bottom. One of the reason I left was due to the government new guidelines everyone had to be re-avail their job description. I worked with people that work shifts over a 24/7 period everyday of the year in pathology and all the thanks they have received for it is a cut in their salary, in my case if I had stayed by 2009 my salary would have been reduced by 1/4, and even with this the people behind the scenes are still working there for you it is not NHS but the government who have set such ridiculous guidelines.
Maryann please do not think I am belittling your experience I am, for from it; sadly in my job I saw this everyday and there was nothing I could do about except to be there for patients and ther family, and to be there for them if they needed to vent there feelings to me and not my staff.
God bless you Maryann and your family, you have a new life here in Spain and by the sounds of things a very strong marriage. Good Luck.
XX
Hey crispy
Just to clarify, it was exactly the reasons you have outlined that I wanted to be in position to help the front line staff like you. It was the admin and goverment guidelines we battled against.....even the managers didn't understand how to achieve things half the time. Your right , it is a very sad situation.
And to reassue you my babies are well and happy here in Spain. AS am I. I firmly believe if nothing changes....nothing changes....so we made a big change and everything changed!!
love
mary x x
Jan 14th 2007, 3:22 pm
#12
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Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,205
Re: Do you worry about your health?
Some 8 months before we moved here and I was talking to a guy In Stratford on Avon who had lived in Spain but returned some months before. When I told him we were moving he said "you don't want to be doing that .... Spains OK unless you are ill and then its a big problem".
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
He told me that his wife had become ill, and they were eventually defeated by the Spanish health system so came back. I guess they had no Spanish and couldn't cope with the health centres.
Although I registered with the Spanish health system, I've heard nightmare stories about visits to the health centres which have almost lead me to the point of taking out private care until I have enough Spanish to communicate.
So sometimes now every new pain or ache makes me worry in case its anything serious, whereas before if I was too worried I'd think nothing of popping to the doctor in the UK to put my mind of rest.
What are your experiences and thoughts on the subject?? I feel its the one thing I worry about more than anything else now.
Jan 14th 2007, 3:26 pm
#13
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: On the edge
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Re: Do you worry about your health?
I think its a local thing mate .... heard stories locally of long waits, people pushing in front, no organisation for the queueing, obviously no one understanding what you are saying ....
Jan 14th 2007, 4:05 pm
#14
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Chiclana
Posts: 3,327
Re: Do you worry about your health?
It is one of the many medical clinics you see on every street corner, that fee also includes in case if an emergency as ambulance sent to you home with a doctor and nurse, they will treat you at home if they can. or take you to the clinic for treatment if that is what is needed. We were told by the director of the clinic that if we want after that we can be transferred to a Spanish Hospital were we won't have to pay!! We went with this as it means we don't have to sit for ages in the Social and be pushed pilar to post.. Our friends are spanish (lived many years in England) but they say they even find it a stressful thing to do, if you were not ill before you went you are by the time you leave. Their words not mine. Is that 60euros just for you is that for your partner as well?
or you wouldn´t have to pay for say emergency treatment like breaking your leg. If the former then we don´t need to worry about health insurance but I just can´t see it for that amount of money per month.
Jan 14th 2007, 4:31 pm
#15
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Re: Do you worry about your health?
Is this Centro Medico? This bit about if you are transferred to a spanish hospital where we won´t have to pay is a bit ambiguous. Does this mean that if you had to have treatment for say a stroke you wouldn´t pay anything
or you wouldn´t have to pay for say emergency treatment like breaking your leg. If the former then we don´t need to worry about health insurance but I just can´t see it for that amount of money per month.
or you wouldn´t have to pay for say emergency treatment like breaking your leg. If the former then we don´t need to worry about health insurance but I just can´t see it for that amount of money per month.
I found a centro medico near us ... I'm assuming that this replaces the first line GP, and if you then need to go to a Spanish network hospital you can do so.