Healthcare
 

Hi all,

1st post on here and as new arrivals we are looking for local knowledge/advice.

Has anyone had experiences of healthcare locally and can recommend a local English speaking doctor in the first instance and can advise on local hospitals.

Does anyone feel the need to have private cover?

steve

Re: Healthcare
 

The medical service is excellent, one of the best in the world according the World Health Organization.
In the medical center in Ayamonte, there are a few doctors who speak English, I recommend you to ask for Magdalena as a GP.
I use to go to the hospitals in Huelva and Seville, and the service is excellent.

Re: Healthcare
 

Funnily enough in the last few days Ive had a conversation with a friend - who has some special and specific medical needs here. As a result he has 'tested' the service a lot.

He's what he wrote:

Re: Doctor in International Medical Centre in Vila Real de San Antonio - the doctor is Dutch, her name is Christa Ringers and she's there Tuesday and Thursday mornings only, we think their times are 9am to 1pm - Portugal time. She is one of the loveliest doctors you could meet, very patient and thorough and very pleasant person. They are really good there, very calm and quiet place, beautifully clean, well laid out, pleasant and helpful staff and you dont have to wait too long to be seen, and can make appointments. The Dutch doctor speaks english as do most of the reception staff. We have made a few enquiries with them and they have a doctor who will do house calls at 50 euros in the day, bit more in the night,....... I asked about private health insurance and there are a few companies that cover all treatments there and in any of their clinics and hospitals which are located along the Algarve, and it doesnt matter that we live in Spain. We can even get 'delivered' there by a Spanish ambulance if necessary. Far better than anywhere we've been in Spain, much more efficient. Funny isnt it, we're at 'that' age where such things have become important to us!! Bits of us failing and falling off!! haha!

And heres my reply to him:

Thanks for the info re doctors, its great for us both as she speaks both Dutch and English for us both. I have to guess that she also has a private surgery elsewhere during the week. I will ask if I need her, but if you are seeing her it might be worth a check? Looks like she also works in Albuferia https://www.grupohpa.com/en/staff/doctor/dr-christa-ringers/

This link will also introduce you to the HPA group. We think she works a couple of days in each...

Good luck

Jon
PS The medical centre is in the sports complex. Drive past LIDL to the end roundabout. Turn Left and after the garage left into the parking

Re: Healthcare
 

Any thanks to both of you for excellent replies

Re: Healthcare
 

that medical centre in Portugal is there for donkey years, back in the 90s i did some IT for Hospital Particular do Algarve - Alvor