i have several conditions..ie diabetis, asthma osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy and need my conditions translated alongside the names of my drug treatment into spanish??? for my move to spain..
did anyone else do this and how did you find a translator.

carole

Some needed to others didn`t, but its always best to I reckon.
Look in the free beer thread for a translator.

you can look up most drugs on the internet - to get the common name

what you could do (which I did, took my Spanish teacher) was take a translator when you initially go to the doc/hosp so they can explain your conditions etc

Our experience was that the doctor had a big book with names of brands and generic medicines in. She just looked up the name on the stuff we had and wrote out a prescription. For some reason our doctor does not keep notes.

Or you could try the Estudio De La Lengua Englesa in Galicia,they'll sort you out ok

There is a medical aid translator book which was done by a lady that has lived here for a long time, but I've lost the link to it. It was to help you in hospitals and doctors surgeries

Hi Madcarole,
I think that the book mitzy has mentioned will not help you with medicine names but is very useful to help you in medical matters. The format is of the phrase book style but is very comprehensive being some ninety pages long and covers virtually every situation.
It is called 'Tell the Doctor' and costs 5euros.
The author is ;

Jenny Bussey,
El Moreral, 3,
0392, parcent,
Alicante,
España.

Tel. 966405365.
e-mail: [email protected]

Hope that this may help.
Graham

You can get a book in most expat areas called 'Tengo Dolor' (I'm Ill) which is extremely useful. We took our medical notes in English to our local health practice and just handed them in, they were in English, but then our doctor does understand English. Most medicines have very similar names in Engliish and Spanish, just take the packet or box, and they will sort out the local equivalent.

thank you for the replies..i am most concerned because i take a controlled drug for pain..oxycontin..it is a heroin derivitive. and i think i am panicking as to how i can communicate the pain to the doctor.
my own gp has told me he will give me 3 months medication to move with..
i will still need to attend my immuneology hospital in the uk until we can get a referral to spain..as i have an unusual immune problem..but apparently the hospital at huercAL may have someone i need there..we are waiting to see..


iwill contact the lady with the medicaL BOOK AS ANYHHTING I CAN GET WILL HELP..

i SUPPOSE AS MOST DRUGS ARE IN LATIN ... the doctors will know the compositive drugs
heres hoping...

carole

As far as I know none of the Doctors in Spain keep notes as it is down to you to maintain your own medical record. I was given all of my test results that came from the lab and the ECG and the Doctor only put the basics of the results onto the computer.

Rosemary

I have contacted the above lady who has been very helpful...she tells me that i will not be able to get private health care in spain!! and as i will be 56 when i retire and will not be working. neither will my hubby.he is only 54/.

Apparently our european health card will only last a year. and then i will have to access the health service, has anyone done this?

when you got your heaqlth records - did you just ask your doctor for these??what about hospital records???
this is something i hadnt even thought about..

carole xx

my specialist keeps my notes there in a file and blood results and other tests are on their computer records at the hospital

but

my son broke his leg recently () on a check up visit the hospital asked who had put the plaster on........it was done there at the same hospital !!! so perhaps there are cases where they dont hold all/any history information

at the gp recently everything was noted down on pc but I think this is only a recent introduction - as not many of the staff seem to have a grasp of exactly how it works

You are entitled to your English/Welsh GP and hospital records, including copies of all x-rays and other films such as MRI's. Simply contact your GP's surgery for whatever form they require you to sign. As far as your hospital records are concerned first find out the name of the NHS Trust then contact them for a form.
The legislation that applies imposes a £50 maximum but GP's and Trusts nearly all charge the £50 even for even a couple of sheets of paper.
Make sure you ask both GP's and Trusts for all records including films.

You can get private care in Spain, there are lots of companies do it, or you can just walk in the clinic and pay as you go sort of thing.
Your health card is only for emergencies while you are on holiday.
If you have paid your stamps you can get a form from the DWP in UK that will cover you for up to two years in Spain.

PS save the money on the records wait and see of they ask for them.

the lady i e mailed reg the book told me that i couldnt get private health care with my problems..??/is the health care [private] usually bought with all conditions that pre-exist not catered for..?
carole