Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 10:51am
You have been generally misinformed.
If course there will be individual bad experiences everywhere, humans are involved 😜.
I have conditions requiring regular follow up, investigations, and support. I have Spanish family here. So I will say what it true east of Malaga in Axarquia, an area which is regarded as underperforming compared with other parts of Spain.
I am very happy with the level of care and follow up I have received, would by far prefer to be here receiving my medical care than under the NHS.
The system is different, but easy to adjust to with the right attitude. Appointments are generally well adhered to, and the Spanish respect and don't miss them. The patient is expected to function in Spanish, so if we can't speak the language, we have to pay someone to help us - there's a huge pool of people to call on and they are not expensive. My local hospital has a week respected system of volunteers during the morning session which are free.
Casualty is well triaged, so that emergency help is good. Ambulances have a doctor on board.
In patient care is usually in a 2 room ward. 1 relatives is encouraged to stay 24 hours, carrying out care so leaving the nurses free to nurse. If there is no relative available, a nurse will wash and assist as required. I find this an excellent, humane, efficient service and when I spent 12 days in hospital it was lovely to have the company of someone who loves me at a time of anxiety.
As for noise, this is Spain! Everyone talks lots and loudly, exuberantly waving their arms and exchanging greetings. They behave in hospital as they behave everywhere - part of the culture. There are signs everywhere in GPs and hospitals to keep the noise down! They are generally kinder, more relaxed and generous hearted than Brits so willing to assist as well as ask all about yourself 😜.
Lastly, I find the Spanish system differs hugely from the NHS in one crucial respect - follow-up. In UK, it was a fight at every stage to get to see someone, here they monitor conditions regularly so I feel much more secure that my health is as good as it can be.
There are many mono lingual Brits who are here only for the sun and cheap booze. They are professional moaners. Don't listen to them.
X