SPAIN NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

One Sunday morning, my wife was on her way back from the newsagent, when she tripped and fell off the pavement. Ouch! We later found out she had broken her little finger and fractured her wrist. 

We needed to find a hospital quickly but not ever needing emergency medical treatment in Spain we hadn’t a clue where the nearest hospital was. We found a place near the beach with a red cross painted on the outside of the building but were then advised they only take private fee paying patients.  Fortunately, they directed us to a health centre on the other side of town.

 As opposed to my wonderful private health care experience with English speaking staff, at this health centre, the receptionist only spoke Spanish and we had some trouble understanding each other. 

"WE ASSUMED WE WERE GOING TO BE THERE FOR HOURS BUT ACTUALLY things were very fast AND AFTER A SHORT WAIT CAROL WAS EXAMINED" 

Fortunately for us, a doctor was passing by and kindly offered assistance.  However, to our dismay we were told we had come to the wrong hospital.  In fact, you are supposed to attend the hospital that is registered for the district where you live.  We were then given more directions and this time found the right health centre. 

We were seen straight away, only to be told that the diagnosis of a suspected broken finger needed an X-ray, but that the centre did not have an X-ray facility and we were told to go to the main general hospital in Lorca, which was 35 km away.

All this time my wife behaved remarkably well even though the pain was excruciating.

As with most things in Spain everything is located in the town centre and parking was difficult. We walked to the A & E department and just like the UK – it was very busy. After explaining our problem to the reception desk, we filled in a form, and proceeded to wait.

Of course, we assumed we were going to be here for hours. Actually things were very fast and after a very short wait, Carol was examined and whisked off to X-ray. After the x-ray, we waited only another ten minutes before a doctor confirmed the broken finger and fractured wrist. Carol received the necessary treatment and an appointment was made to visit the hospital in another seven days.

If we had been better prepared it wouldn’t have turned into such a drama.  The lesson to be learnt from this experience was that accidents do happen and you do need to be prepared.

When you arrive at your final destination, register immediately with your local health centre, find the location of your local hospital, drive there and have a look around. Also, make a note of useful telephone numbers that you are likely to need in case of emergency and keep them close by a telephone. You never know when you may need them.

 back