Sugarlugs

Last night we had an emergency and had to go to Torrevieja hospital we arrived at 8.15pm and didnt get seen until 3 am and eventually left at 4.30 am after all the paperwork was finished, which I think is absolutely horrendous, and the drive to the hospital is 45 mins from where we live, so we didnt get home until 5.15.
We have decided not to go there again and I know it is a good hospital but does anyone know if there are any other hospitals that are nearer to our area,
We have heard there is one in Elda, Guardamar and Novelda which would all be nearer for us but I cant find any info can anyone help.

GrapeEater

Yeah Elda is nearer (only just though - bout 35 mins) - an old hospital undergoing renovation. Little English being spoken there too.

There's health centres in Aspe, Novelda and Albatera but not tried them. There's a private Doctor in Frailes - who mostly refers people to private Alicante Hospitals (35 mins again). Used the MediMar Hospital there and thought it was brilliant (but private so expensive).

Hav eyou joined the Red Cross (Cruz Roja) for you emergency ambulance services - about €40 per year - otherwise you'll pay for that too !! The nearest Cruz Roja is in Aspe - a bugger to find though.

Solarwhizz

Elche University Hospital
Cami Almassera 11
03203 Elx / Elche, Spain
966 679 000

Hospital General de Elda
Carretera Elda a Sax s/n
Elda
Spain
03600

34-96-698-9000
Community hospital/medical center/clinic

Other hospitals near
Hospital Vega Baja (Orihuela): Telephone (00 34 96 677 61 66)
Health Center of Torrevieja I (La Loma): Telephone (00 34 96 670 30 11)
Health Center of Torrevieja II (El Acequión): Telephone (00 34 96 670 20 53)
Hospital General Universitario de Alicante: Telephone (00 34 96 590 83 00)
Hospital of Elche (Elx): Telephone (00 34 96 667 90 00

I have had a relative in Hospital in Elda on two occasions, both serious, both emergency, the route for quick and efficient access was through the local health centre in Pinoso. who carried out immediate aid and then arranged everything as required. treatment was very good, state of hospital was excdellent, ( in fact i thought it was new or recently built??) although limited english generally both consultants spoke good english,,

I am surpised that there is not a medical centre in Aspe, that would carry out the same 24 hour function for emergency. But I am sure in a city the size of Elda there will be an emergency centre with 24 hour access for emergency treatment. (I would forget about ambulance services, that last time i knew of one being calledto a neighbour took over 4 hours to arrive!!)

tim hortons man

Hospitals and doctors are easy to find but the real question is, how easy is it to find free health care in English? I would image most people are like me and speak very little Spanish, maybe enough to order a beer or two but not enough to deal with Spanish speaking doctors.

edit, just noticed your answer, limited English depending on the doctor, ofcourse the more spanish you know the easier it is. I will say not speaking the language really keeps you out of the doctors office, I've only been to the clinic once in two years and that was for bad back pain, didn't help much, gave me a shot and sent me on my way.

Sugarlugs

Thank you to the both of you for your replies even though Elda is 35 mins away it may be a better option a it really boiled down to the waiting time which was 7 hours and when you are in pain it is far too long so we just wanted to find one that didnt cover such a large area with such a long waiting time.

twyntub

Can definately vouch for Elda hospital, Urgencias is like a second home Fast and efficient (< 10 minutes wait) every time we've been there - whether as a walk-in or with a referral. Head up the A31 from Novelda - it's well signposted from there. Parking is no trouble - you just abandon the car on the road outside, the Spanish way

Aspe is a fine medical centre. They obviously can't do the bigger stuff - so if you need a specialist or X-ray / scan / etc - then they normally refer to either Elda or Alicante. But once again they see you quickly and efficiently there. During the day, don't go through Aspe (traffic lights in the centre) but take the Novelda sign at the N325 and take a right at the next roundabout (Cepsa garage) - then left (go parallel to river), right (cross river) and right again. There is a car park (usually spaces) near where you cross the river just up from the centre. Or, if you are in a real hurry, just park in the 'no parking, ambulances only, police with guns' bit out front. The police won't stop you if you've got blood pouring out!

Agree with Solarwhizz... the general consensus here is avoid ambulances and just get in the car. If it's obviously 'serious' - then most people will head to Elda rather than the more local Aspe. We did a recce of the local hospitals when we moved over, and very handy that we did too!