When it comes to healthcare in Spain the news is mainly all good. As with the UK, Spain has a public health system which provides free or low cost healthcare for those contributing to the Spanish social security system and their families. The system also caters for retirees and includes those from other EU countries. The country has an excellent system of private medicine and this exists comfortably alongside the State system with both operated so as to complement each other. The Spanish health care system is rated ninth in the World by the World Health Organisation - far above that of the UK’s.
As an example of Spanish healthcare, let’s look at the situation in Torrevieja – a small town on the South East coast of Spain and popular with foreigners from many different EU countries. The town has two major hospitals, one private and one operated by the state. Additionally it has three central clinics and operates a fleet of ambulances, which because of amazing co-operation from the driving public, move around at impressive speeds regardless of traffic conditions.
As you would imagine, the private hospital offers immediate treatment with patients being accommodated in single rooms. Hard to believe is the fact that the state hospital offers the same. Both hospitals pool resources to the benefit of private and state patient alike.
As a health service patient you may find yourself being whisked away to the private hospital for a scan or if a private patient, utilising the superb facilities of the state
hospital’s laboratories. If you are intent on taking out private medical insurance, again the news is good, with comprehensive policies being available at between 40 – 70 per cent cheaper than in the UK. A system just being introduced in the UK but one which has existed in Spain for many years is one of approaching the local pharmacist for minor ills. They have an excellent reputation for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment and are able to issue all but controlled drugs. In no time at all they’ll have you feeling better.
All very impressive stuff but it doesn't here. If you feel you are not well and wish to go to an emergency centre first text the word Urgencias to the telephone number 5013 and you will immediately be informed of the waiting time before your appointment. No hanging around feeling rotten, just set off in time for your appointment. Television points in town also carry the same and other information. Still not impressed, if you have a webcam you can consult your doctor from your own bed. Until you have been through the Spanish health system you cannot begin to understand how effective it is. In many ways it puts the UK health service to shame and refreshingly, there are never lengthy debates on television about it or do you hear of people complaining. People are ill, people get better - the Spanish health system full stop.
It goes without saying that this is probably the most important consideration of all if contemplating a move abroad. If you are above the retirement age (65) healthcare and prescriptions are free of charge and provided by the State. If you are working and contributing to the Spanish Social Security system then you and your family will be covered for State medicine. If you are not you must carry private medical insurance. Whilst this is considerably cheaper than that in the UK and probably provides better cover, for two people over the age of 50 and in reasonable health it would represent an expenditure of around 1,500 Euros per annum.
If you are under State Retirement Age you must seek private health insurance, unless you have an E.form for residual Cover, or Invalidity etc. Again, you should enquire of the Overseas Benefit Agency at Newcastle.
There are no prescription charges for drugs in Spain - patients pay the full price and then claim back a significant percentage. However, those from the UK are somewhat surprised when they learn that most prescriptions cost far less than the UK prescription charge and surprised again when they learn at just how much can be reclaimed.
Although there is no right to state medicine in Spain for a foreigner, (unless on holiday and carrying the EU health card) it is often the case that those from the UK have enough contributions on their cards to permit state medicine up until the age of their retirement, when everything, including the cost of medications becomes absolutely free. In the state of Valencia, medicine is free for all EU members, making it an extremely attractive destination for some.
No doubt this will be the case all over Spain in the not too distant future. You can ascertain easily what your entitlement to state medicine in Spain is simply by telephoning the D.H.S.S in Newcastle Upon Tyne or if not from the UK, the appropriate offices in your own country.
Whilst the standard of medicine is very high in Spain, it does depend very much on location. If you have set yourself on a plot of land miles from anywhere and anything, then it follows that hospitals will not be on your doorstep. Rural areas may be served only by a clinic - transferring patients out to hospitals as required. Good medicine will still be available but not as instantly. However, most inland locations favoured by foreigners are not too far from a good hospital and healthcare in Spain is something about which you need have no concern.
It may be worth mentioning that many conditions, including rheumatism, arthritis and those affecting people in middle to late age, are not the problem in Spain they were in the UK and colder Northern European countries. Climate definitely does seem to have a positive effect on health and well being in many cases. Of interest is the fact that depression is nowhere near as common in Spain as is the case in the UK. No doubt this is also concerned with the climate and bright sunshine.
And finally on the subject of health care, Spanish hospitals do not suffer from M.R.S.A. as do their English counterparts, who lose over 7,000 patients per annum to the condition and seem unable to make any progress against it. Ask them why and they will tell you that M.R.S.A. is extremely vulnerable to soap and water!