Health care Spain v. GB

[Brindleboy123]

Just had to laugh at someone recently who told me they were so angry that when they visited the local salud, "none of the notices were in English"....!! Umm, guess what you are in Spain! I wonder the last time anyone went into their hospital/clinic in the uk and found all the notices translated into Spanish!

I can talk with some authority here and believe me, it costs an absolute fortune to have notices, booklets etc translated and to provide translators. I applaud the Spanish not only for their healthcare facilities but also for the fact that in many areas they stick to their guns and the money available for healthcare is channeled into exactly that and NOT into providing foreigners with everything in their own language. Before anyone responds "we do it in the UK", that is EXACTLY my point and one of the reasons the NHS is in the mess it is.

[J J]

Well said!

[Scorpio]

Healthcare in Spain is primitive compared to the UK. This seems like just another "lets knock the UK so we can justify our life here in Spain" post to me.

Take off them rose tinted spectacles and get real. I know where I'd rather be if I became ill or was involved in an accident and of course, deep down, so do you.

[J J]

Healthcare in Spain is primitive compared to the UK. This seems like just another "lets knock the UK so we can justify our life here in Spain" post to me.

Take off them rose tinted spectacles and get real. I know where I'd rather be if I became ill or was involved in an accident and of course, deep down, so do you.

I take you are one of the lucky ones who have never been a victim of the NHS.

[Scorpio]

I have, sadly, had a vast number of experiences with the NHS and have nothing but priase for them. Absolutely fantastic.

Also have family who have been in Spanish hospitals, very very scary but gladly they lived (just) to tell the tale.

[Nalle]

Well I dont know where you get your info from, but you are wrong.
The Spanish Health care system are amongst the best in Europe, While NHS is way down the list. France is also a good option.
This list and the article was published in UK media (bbc) amongst others.

Its all down to money in the end, as Im sure that a physician in the UK is as qualified as a Spanish doctor, but with long waiting queues, overloaded hospitals and not enough resources.... Where would you want to be?

[J J]

I have, sadly, had a vast number of experiences with the NHS and have nothing but priase for them. Absolutely fantastic.

Also have family who have been in Spanish hospitals, very very scary but gladly they lived (just) to tell the tale.

So you are one of the lucky ones who have never been a victim of the NHS.

[Scorpio]

Lile I said, I know where I'd rather be in the event of a serious illness or accident.

You say what you like but I think you and the majority reading this know too and it wouldn't be Spain.

Keep knocking the UK, it'll make you feel better.

[J J]

In the event of serious illness or accident, I would go through hell and high water to avoid the NHS.

[Chrisdee]

In the event of serious illness or accident, I would go through hell and high water to avoid the NHS.

If you live here then you won't have to be treated on the NHS, unfortunately a lot of people who are not residents in Spain do have treatment here, they use their forms that are meant to be for emergencies only and get scans, blood test etc etc. The rumours do say they will get caught up with but I doubt it.
I seem to use the word unfortunately a lot, but it is. I get so angry when they abuse the system but you are always going to get that. I could have a battle everyday with people abusing the system, here and in the UK, inconsiderate drivers, litter bugs, the list goes on, but it just makes you angry and bitter. I came here for a more relax lifestyle so I'm trying to do that. Reading some of these though, it's hard. Better go, washing up to do.

[Scorpio]

Fair enough. Good luck. I can't be bothered with this really.

[J J]

If you live here then you won't have to be treated on the NHS, unfortunately a lot of people who are not residents in Spain do have treatment here, they use their forms that are meant to be for emergencies only and get scans, blood test etc etc. The rumours do say they will get caught up with but I doubt it.
I seem to use the word unfortunately a lot, but it is. I get so angry when they abuse the system but you are always going to get that. I could have a battle everyday with people abusing the system, here and in the UK, inconsiderate drivers, litter bugs, the list goes on, but it just makes you angry and bitter. I came here for a more relax lifestyle so I'm trying to do that. Reading some of these though, it's hard. Better go, washing up to do.

Sorry , I thought this was a thread comparing the Spanish Health Service with NHS, and I responded accordingly.

Scorpio. I did not mean to offend you, I was just speaking from very, very bitter experience!

[debbieintorre@yahoo.co.uk]

Lile I said, I know where I'd rather be in the event of a serious illness or accident.

You say what you like but I think you and the majority reading this know too and it wouldn't be Spain.

Keep knocking the UK, it'll make you feel better.

I have had a lot of experience of the Spanish health service over the last 20 years both personally and through my work as a translator and I have to say that in my opinion it is excellent.No,it is not perfect but that would be impossible.
Two years ago my father was admitted to Elche Hospital with a very bad ulcer on his foot which,despite 6 months treatment,was not getting any better.We were told upon examination that he would almost certainly lose his leg but thanks to the expertise of the vascular surgeon there he came home 2weeks later with 2 feet.He had been admitted into hospital 8 times in the last 3 years due to a stroke and it´s complications and each time had excellent treatment.Unfortunately he died in May due to another brain haemorrhage but not before being whisked at high speed to Alicante General to see if they could operate.We donated his ograns and the medical team was very kind and made everything as comfortable as possible AND paid 60% of the funeral costs.I bet they don´t do that on the NHS.
Last year my daughter was run over and received a very bad fracture to her leg.She was taken to the new hospital and was in surgery within the hour.The leg has mended beautifully thanks to Dr. Mateos and his team.
I unfortunately experienced hospital care in Britain when I had a bad asthma attack not long after arriving for a visit.I was asked how much jewellery I was wearing BEFORE being given any medication and couldn´t talk at that point as my oxygen levels were so low I thought I was going to die.The following morning I started my period and was told that I would have to wait for my evening visitors to bring me sanitary towels as they dont provide them.The place was filthy and I couldn´t wait to get back here.
I´ll go now before I get started on waiting lists,refusal to fund drugs and MRSA!!

[Warrior]

Spanish Health System

My partner and I ( both Residents ) have both had operations here in Spain and I can safely say that the care we received was better than anything available in the UK. In fact Torrevieja Hospital is one of, if not the, best in Europe, it´s on a par with a five star hotel and a lot better than some so called 5 star hotels that I´ve had the misfortune to stay in.
Don´t knock the Spanish Health Service - if you don´t like it bugger off home to the NHS and get in the queue!!

[Brindleboy123]

Healthcare in Spain is primitive compared to the UK. This seems like just another "lets knock the UK so we can justify our life here in Spain" post to me.

Take off them rose tinted spectacles and get real. I know where I'd rather be if I became ill or was involved in an accident and of course, deep down, so do you.

Scorpio, I most certainly don´t have rose tinted specs, I am purely speaking from experience. I worked for 15 years in the NHS. The reason I am actually now living in this country is because I blew the whistle in the hospital where I worked because they were manipulating waiting lists. As a result I lost my job. Its a long story but lets just say I was like a dog with a bone and I didn´t give up, even when the hospital tried to blame me! I named names. I was extremely fortunate in that the BBC took up the story and when I named a certain manager in a press conference she sued the BBC. I acted as a witness for the BBC and after 3 years and 3 weeks in the High Court, London the BBC won the case. Chairman, CEO, Finance Directors amongst others lost their jobs. The good thing is that it brought things out into the open and hopefully now management (and I was in fact a manager) will hesitate before they even contemplate doing anything like this again. It wasn´t just a question of numbers, it is actual lives that this can impact upon, with very serious consequences.

Also, sadly my mother has been very ill for 20 years and has been in and out of various hospitals. I have witnessed the filth and the lack of care (she was recently told to "go in her bed" when she called for a commode) and this was when she had already contacted C Diff. There are some excellent caring staff both doctors, nurses and others within the NHS but sadly there are many who are not.

I pay for private medical insurance here (I am not of pensionable age) and believe that the care I have received at San Jaime has been second to none. I have also witnessed the treatment received by others at the local NHS and believe me, Spain is miles ahead of the UK. My personal opinion is that anyone who moves permanently to Spain and has not contributed to their system should in fact have private medical care. Likewise, this should happen in the UK - systems are there but are not obviously effective! I am not a wealthy person, but our health has and always will be my first priority the small pension that we receive.

I would not knock the UK for no reason but I do visit regularly (monthly) to care for my mum and what I see makes me feel so fortunate that I can return here.