Dick Dasterdly

Anyone in the Valencian region have any concerns about the present situation regarding availability of medication and ongoing problems at the Pharmacias ?

I'm hearing a lot of scare stories, though I'm probably not fully aware of the true facts, however unless the various issues are sorted out I would have thought it would be of great concern to long term residents who will be totally reliant on the Valencian health service in months and years to come.

lynnxa

yes it's a worry - & I think there will be more strikes yet

during the last strike some farmacias were only processing the prescriptions of 'regular' customers - others were running out of some medications & only ordering them in for cash purchases

Joddle

Not had problems getting any medication here in Valencia but the Chemists have been on strike a few times so if I had needed something urgently it would not have been so easy to get. ASAICS no need to panic yet.

spainrico

Regarding the original point - no one seems to have mentioned referring to the UK in Spain site which does a pretty good job of explaining the new entitlement.

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...thcare-updates

I have in fact today applied (as an early retiree) for my SIP (the Valencia version) card to access Spanish healthcare and after producing the DWP letter, passport, residencia, social security number, padron and Spanish tax return I was accepted and have a temp SIP card with a perm one being issued in April.

Albi

Read through everything and am still confused. Somebody mentioned about having to be resident here before April 2012, does this mean you are not covered for health care until you reach state pensionable age? Also is it possible to buy into the Valencian Health Care System if you only become resident in 2013?

lynnxa

yes, that's exactly the situation unless you qualify for S1s having up to date NI payments in the UK - that would cover you for up to two years

when the new rules were announced they said at the time that there would be a facility to 'buy in' to the system - but I haven't heard any more about it

until about April 2012 the same system was in place in Valencia, but around that time they stopped new subscriptions

spainrico

For those who became residents after the 24th of April 2012, and who otherwise fall into the category of “personas sin recursos”, a new agreement is about to be published whereby they will be able to voluntarily contribute to the Spanish Social Security System on a monthly basis and thereby receive full sanitary assistance.

lynnxa

yes, that's what was announced back in August - any idea when this will be published?

spainrico

I will check my source and get back.

spainrico

Got an instant response:

"No, (dont know exactly when) but they said it will be very soon now."

Albi

Thanks for responses to my recent post, I will watch out for any developments.