| I know that when we are planning our annual | | | | must also make it clear that you are using your |
| holiday, falling ill is the last thing on our mind. But it | | | | E.H.I.C. card and that you want to be treated |
| can and does happen to a small number of | | | | under the E.U. arrangements. Remember the |
| holidaymakers every year. But if you read this | | | | E.H.I.C. rules are always changing, as Governments |
| article and disaster strikes, you may be fully | | | | come and go. |
| prepared if you or any of your family members | | | | You may also notice in Spain, many doctors' |
| were to fall ill on holiday. | | | | surgeries in and around the main holiday resorts. |
| If you just feel slightly unwell, or have minor cuts | | | | They usually have a large neon sign with a cross |
| and bruises, you should first visit the hotel | | | | symbol and the words for doctor and surgery in |
| reception for help and advice. They may have a | | | | several languages. These do not belong to the |
| first aid box, if not they can give you directions | | | | Spanish health service, and will not accept your |
| to the nearest chemist or pharmacy, usually in | | | | E.H.I.C. card. They are also very expensive. |
| English, as most hotel receptionists speak English. | | | | If you require urgent attention, police, ambulance, |
| In Spain a Pharmacy or Chemist shop is called a | | | | fire brigade, ect., Phone 112. (no area code) Do |
| FARMACIA. You can identify them by their sign, a | | | | not expect Spanish emergency services to speak |
| green cross. Do not confuse the farmacia with | | | | English. Try and telephone with a Spanish speaker |
| the DROGUERIA, which looks similar, and | | | | if you can. It might be a good idea to put this |
| translates as drug store, but only sells toiletries | | | | number into your mobile phone memory. |
| and cosmetics. Chemists can often give medical | | | | Spanish social security patients don't pay for |
| advice and first aid,and provide some medicines | | | | ambulance services, and private patients are |
| without prescription. | | | | generally reimbursed by their private health |
| If no member of the pharmacy staff speaks | | | | insurance (or travel insurance). By law, taxis are |
| English, and you are in pain, and need to indicate | | | | obligated to transport medical emergencies to |
| where the pain is. You can simply point to where | | | | hospital when requested to do so. |
| the pain is, and say clearly ME DUELE AQUI this is | | | | Unless you speak the language it is not always |
| Spanish for "it hurts here". Phonetically it sounds | | | | easy to get treatment in Spain. Even the N.H.S |
| like MEE DWELLEE AKEE. | | | | recommends that as well as your E.H.I.C. card you |
| For more serious illness, accidents and | | | | take out adequate health insurance cover.In most |
| emergencies, you may need to see a doctor or | | | | cases this is provided within your travel insurance |
| go to a hospital. If you wish to use your E.H.I.C. | | | | policy.So make sure that you have full medical |
| card. (European Health Insurance Card) you must | | | | cover,because you might have to be airlifted |
| first make sure you are visiting a Spanish state | | | | home in an emergency. However before you buy |
| health service hospital, and it is not part of the | | | | holiday insurance, first do some research and get |
| private hospital system. Make sure the doctor or | | | | some advice from an unbiased insurance |
| nurse that you see works within the Spanish | | | | information website. |
| state system, and not the private sector. You | | | | |