healthcare
Our
experience is of a first class service, most comparable with the British
NHS and in some aspects quite superior, particularly in regard to access
to medical specialists within a very short time frame.
Blood Donors
Blood donors are always needed. If you are between 18 & 65 of good health, not on medication and not pregnant, please consider helping, it may be you or someone close who has a need. Contact your local Hospital or Clinic.
Emergency or Immediate Health Care Requirement
If you are ill and have not registered with a doctor, or if it is weekend or fiesta time and your usual doctor is not available, go to the nearest Hospital Casualty Department. They are most helpful and you will always see a doctor fairly promptly. My experience on two occasions was a doctor and examination within seven minutes and a specialist within the hour. Take your form E111, form E121 or form E106, your passport or your official Spanish health (SIP) card.
Where necessary doctors do make home calls; but you need to phone or get a friend to call at the surgery. We hear only good comments about the Spanish Health Service.
E106
The E106 is for people who have moved permanently to Spain but have not reached pensionable age, its period of effectiveness depends on the state of your past Nat Ins contributions record. The period of medical cover commences from the date you leave the UK. You must however apply and receive your E106 entitlement form before leaving the UK to ensure you are covered and to know what that cover entitles you to.
The E106 is available from the The Pension Service, Tyneview Park, Medical
Benefits, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE98 1BA. England.
Tel 0191 218 7547,
Fax 0191 218 7376
or Email tvp.customer_care@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
E121 Some male expats under pensionable age become eligible for medical cover as dependants on their wife reaching pensionable age. For details contact the above address
Note! If you are coming to live in Spain (even if just visiting but suffer from a particular illness), it is sensible to have a resume of your medical history translated into Spanish, in particular detailing any specific illnesses, drugs required or allergies. It is most sensible to have the basic bilingual details in writing always carried with you - please see my Bilingual SOS Form
Emergency Police - Fire - Ambulance. Telephone - just dial the number 112. They have multilingual operators available, just ask for the service you require and explain your problem.
English Speaking Medical Specialists
Finding a doctor who speaks English in your district is not always easy, although they appear to be more numerous in the Hospital Casualty Service than general practice. Ideally take along a friend with a knowledge of Spanish. Many doctors do not appear to keep notes at the surgery. Always take with you a list of the medicines/drugs etc that you are currently taking, as well as any x-ray or clinical test results you have obtained from the hospital. For any serious problems the Spanish doctors seem to refer you immediately to a Specialist in your district, usually within days or weeks not months.
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