Health Care - Medical Care in Javea
Healthcare and the medical facilities in Javea is a major consideration when you are either traveling or planning to move to this area of Spain. Whether you decide to use your property as a holiday home or permanent residence some form of health cover must be in place.
In our opinion, the national health system in Spain is second to none and in many cases people praise the healthcare and medical facilities available in Javea compared to their own country. Throughout Spain there is a high quality of care for all its users and having dealt personally with the health system through my children, my sports colleagues and older friends, we can honestly say that both the routine and emergency services offered are first class.
For holiday makers who already pay a full national insurance stamp in the UK, the E111 card allows for reciprocal EMERGENCY treatment whist in Spain, this does not cover regular prescriptions or doctors visits. If you are staying for a longer period of time and you are a state pensioner from the UK, you need to apply to your doctor and DHSS office to get the correct form for total reciprocal health care for your stay in Spain.
If you are a registered state pensioner and are coming to live in Spain permanently, you can contact the DHSS in UK in order to get full medical cover here. Non pensioners who have paid a full stamp in the UK may be entitled to 18 months reciprocal cover with the correct documentation from the DHSS. After the 18 months you have the option to take up a private cover policy or enter into the social security payment scheme in Spain.
The Spanish National health system assigns you a GP but children under the age of 14 always see a specialized pediatrician. Appointments can be made for the same day if called in the first hour of clinics and non urgent appointments can be made by phone or direct through the internet. Having used both systems I find them equally efficient. Should you be unable to get an appointment on the same day and the illness is critical there is usually an emergency clinic attached to the local health centre. Specialist referrals and analysis are made by the GP and depending on the seriousness of the illness; tests and diagnosis are carried out within 1 to 3 months.
Should you have to be hospitalized the specialist care is excellent. In most cases where hospital treatment is required, it is encouraged to have a close family member to stay with the patient throughout their stay( usually a reclining chair is provided) in order to carry out pastoral care, feeding washing etc and the give the patient a boost. This of course frees up medical staff to carry out their duties and give better medical care.
Spanish hospitals are said to have the lowest rate of MRSA infection in Europe! Emergency treatment is organized by priority of injury/illness with children always given priority and seen by a pediatrician.
In Spain, ambulance transport has to be paid for. If you are not entitled as a pensioner or covered by car insurance in a car accident it is often possible to take out an option with a local ambulance service where you pay an annual fee and any emergency transportation is covered.
Many of the consultants and doctors may understand English but it is not a prerequisite so it is better to speak Spanish or bring an interpreter. Generally there are contact numbers in emergency and health centers for interpreters. All social staff I have had dealings with, whether administrative or medical, have displayed a lovely caring nature and a genuine desire to understand and solve the problems.
Should you not be eligible for social healthcare, there are many favourable policies to be taken out which will suit your needs. Generally the private clinics have English speaking doctors and nurses and usually have their own referral hospitals, x-ray units and consultants. Alternative and homeopathy are not available on the national health but many clinics do exist, both Spanish and English.
For minor ailments the local chemist is an excellent alternative as they are very knowledgeable both on illnesses and their treatments.
Dentistry is not covered on the national health, even children, unless as the result of an accident. There are many private dentists and orthodontists in all towns, and you have the choice of several medical policies which could cover this need.
Family planning consultations are free in appointed clinics but all medications must be paid for. There is an excellent breast cancer scanning scheme available to all women over the age of 40.
Get In Touch
Video Library
Bargain Buy
Incredible Opportunity Ground Floor Duplex Apartment Javea
€ 220,000
Opportunity
Opportunity Charming 3 Bedroom Villa In Tosalet Javea
€ 235,000
Luxury Villa
Fabulous Luxury Villa Front Line Sea Views Javea
€ 1,950,000
Plot of the Week
South Facing Building Plot In Golf Course Area Javea
2061 m2, € 100,000
