MagHal Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Has anyone had experience of using Ambulance and A&E departments in Europe? I recently had to spend an agonizing 5 hours in A&E waiting to be seen (not uncommon) and it prompted me to think what it would be like in Europe? No doubt the best idea is not to be taken ill but.......it happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Had to use A&E in Belgium (Malmedy} Excellent speedy service for a leg injury,. Receptionist, we bit grumpy however nurse and Doctor very attentive. Was seen within 10 mins, youngster rushed in before me who had fallen from his bike. Just remember to have EHIC card. I think the biggest issue you may have is the current situation in some of England's A&E departments, however I am sure the Tories will fix it? Only payment I had to make was for a prescription. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barryd999 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Yes, several times. France, Germany and Italy. Got taken in an Ambulance to A&E in France. That experience wasnt brilliant and I had a fair old wait at the hospital (nasty laceration) but no more than here. Germany after a scooter crash, took Mrs D to A&E the next day for Xrays. Excellent. Really quick, helpful, appointed an English speaking guide. Much better than the UK. Italy more serious, Mrs D had a Kidney stone stuck blocking her bladder. I rushed her there in the Italian Alps. They were superb and quick as well but it all got a bit farcical as there was a language barrier. We ended with an English speaking orderly from Zambia I think as an interpretor in the room where she was treated, then she was transferred at speed in an Ambulance to another hospital in Trento 15 miles away where I had to race behind in the van and then the scooter and then after treatment there they took her back to the first Hospital to be checked out and I had to follow her back again. They were great though. Mrs D reckoned the Italian Ambulance bloke that was supposed to be looking after her was hopeless though. Spent half the trip texting on his phone then had a kip. :D EHIC card covered everything. All straight forward and nothing to pay. Used a few doctors and dentists as well. All in all generally all better than here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Mag&Hal - 2017-05-21 8:04 AM Has anyone had experience of using Ambulance and A&E departments in Europe? I recently had to spend an agonizing 5 hours in A&E waiting to be seen (not uncommon) and it prompted me to think what it would be like in Europe? No doubt the best idea is not to be taken ill but.......it happens. It's that "Europe" thing again! :-D The thing to bear in mind is that there is not one health service for the whole of Europe outside the UK. There are 27 individual, independent, health services in the 27 other EU member states, and there are other health services in the other European countries that are not members of the EU, (for example, Norway and Switzerland) and they all do things slightly differently. So, you need to decide where you are going, and then explore what to expect in each of those countries. Some have pretty much universal state provision, and some have only a basic state provision with most of the healthcare being provided on an insurance backed basis in private hospitals and clinics. For example, it was generally advised a few years back that the state facilities in Portugal were best avoided if possible. Don't know if that is still the case. Bear in mind also that food is not provided as part of your hospital treatment in a number of countries, and has to be bought as an extra, or brought in for you. You would therefore be wise to ensure you have your own health insurance package wherever you go, and not to rely solely on the EHIC. For example, should you need to be flown home after an accident or if taken seriously ill, the EHIC will not meet that cost - which can be eye wateringly high, especially if you need constant medical supervision throughout your repatriation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Mag&Hal - 2017-05-21 8:04 AM Has anyone had experience of using Ambulance and A&E departments in Europe? I recently had to spend an agonizing 5 hours in A&E waiting to be seen (not uncommon) and it prompted me to think what it would be like in Europe? No doubt the best idea is not to be taken ill but.......it happens. I expect like here it all depends on where. Saturday night at A&E in the Whittington in North London you can wait a long time and there are always quite a few with police escorts, whereas on the other hand Shrewsbury is an oasis of tranquility and you can be seen in minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojitoes Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 We were in Spain 18 months ago when my wife came down with dreadful abdominal pains. We took her to a local hospital outside Valencia. After an hour in this hospital they sent us to a brand new hospital a couple of miles away, there, they carried out a large number of tests and would not let her go until they had identified the cause of the pain which turned out to be a cyst. They then wanted to carry out an operation to remove the cyst the very next day. We could not get over just how good the services were, our only issue arose over my wife's EHIC card. She has an Irish passport but a UK EHIC card, sorting that out took some time but they then gave her another card informing any other hospital of the situation should anything happen again. We are absolutely full of praise for the Spanish medical system. We came back to the UK where my wife had to wait 4 and a half months for the op! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkist Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Would not recommend being ill in Croatia, my husband had a stroke last June just south of Zadar. Although the initial treatment was OK, there wasn't any follow up investigations as to what caused it. The hospital was dirty, hygiene almost none existent, after three days asked if he could walk, discharged and told to go to a Pharmacy and buy some aspirin. Luckily our daughter who lives in Salzburg and is a nurse came down and we drove slowly there. Was admitted to hospital there, couldn't fault the treatment, had every test going. They even wanted to send him to a retreat in the mountains for a couple of weeks, (he declined). All covered by the EHIC, only charge was 30 euros which everybody has to pay. He is fine now by the way, just a slight weakness on his left side, we are back on the road enjoying our travels. Just glad I drive the van too, would have been in a right pickle otherwise. It's worth bearing in mind if you are both on the van insurance, your insurance company will not help with getting the van home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagHal Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 Thanks for your replies they are reassuring. We don't do anything more adventurous than France and Spain nowadays. My experiences in UK of A&E are for minor lacerations, steel splinters, photokeratitis etc. One has to wait a long time for such minor stuff. I've never had a hospitalisation for anything more serious until last week when I spent 4+ hours on morphine awaiting for catheterisation of a blocked urethra. It was an eye opener for someone whose never had a serious illness but it prompted me to think what it would have been like if it had happened when we were on holiday in a few weeks time. I'm going with travel insurance and all the info I can get on local provision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisecontrol Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Two years ago in Germany my wife suffered severe back pain and was barely able to move from the bed in the van. After a few hours the camp-site manager called A& E for an ambulance - by now it being evening and the local surgery was closed. It arrived promptly and the hospital was a able to reduce the pain. All went well in terms of payment claims (treatment and medicine) except for the ambulance. Had a doctor ordered it then there would not have been a charge - as it was we paid some 200 Euros. So if in Germany and you need an ambulance - beware In terms of the back pain - after a few days we were able to make our way home slowly, but curtailed the holiday by a few days. Next time I'll paint her toe nails - er, perhaps not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 In case you are critical about health or medicines take your precautions. Have a good idea of your diagnose. And the right home contacts. Do not leave home if not allowed.There is not a simple solution when you are abroad. In case you have bad teethes go to Bulgaria and in two weeks you have new zirconium ones in two weeks, one week grinding pattern computed to china and the next week you shine like a new dime at half the price.Yes it is real material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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