Spanish Hospitals Rejecting European Health Insurance Cards

[joyusj76]

are the European health cards worth the plastic they are printed on ?

[Spike On Q]

Bridlife - Please provide ONE proven example [not hearsay] where an EU citizen carrying a valid EHIC card and passport has been charged for medical treatment by the Canarian Government that is available free of charge to residents of the Canary Island

Why do some people seem so keen to deride a system and who's staff have provided excellent healthcare to many foreign nationals free of charge for many years?

As a UK old age pensioner I receive first class healthcare here in Fuerteventura that is paid for WITHOUT QUESTION by the British government. I do however follow the rules of this benefit TO THE LETTER!

[Ivemovedon]

what a saint you are spike

[bridlife]

Of course I cannot name names of individuals, and I will leave that to the current court case. And I can only go on what people have reported on this forum. I know of one case where people , despite having all the necessary paperwork, have been totally refused there right to healthcare here. This is also subject to investigation. You are one of the lucky one's who are established here.

[Spike On Q]

Not a saint stedge, as friends will tell you, but what I have discovered through life is to live by the rules - when you try and bend them you always end up loosing - therefore it is purely selfishness for that easy life that drives me

Can someone refer me to the links with regard to cases where people have been refused medical care at a Gobierno clinics?

[Ivemovedon]

Fraid to say you couldn't be more wrong spike. Theres people make bending the rules and dodging responsibility an art form and seem to do very nicely in life as a result. In fact i find its usually the other way round , the sticklers for regulations and doing the right thing generally bear the load of the ones that don't. Not fair i know but streetwise is king.

And as an addative the original post was regarding holidaymakers. They don't have your wonderful foresight and added pleasure of living there. When one of their kids is ill or hurt they take them to the nearest medical facility regardless.

I doubt most would know a Gobiemo clinic from a tapas bar.

[david2211]

I used the public health centre in Corralejo 2 years ago and I had no problem with getting free health treatment. Little waiting time too. I showed my EHIC and passport and do speak Spanish. I wonder if those who did not get free treatment did make it clear that they had and showed their documents.

[kaynig]

I have since learnt I was directed to the wrong medical centre, I was directed to the Brisimar med centre, it wasnt until all details were taken, that we were told no that card is no good here, and to claim it back on our travel insurance. I am correct in thinking the one we need if the ocassion arises is near the bus station. Still lesson learnt.......

[Spike On Q]

You're right about holiday makers not knowing the difference between public and private health facilities. That must be the responsibility of the tour companies, apartment and hotel providers, etc. to ensure the customers are aware of where treatment is available

Perhaps more use should be made of 112 in emergencies - bringing highly skilled medical help to a seriously ill or injured person can often be more effective than running around look for a health centre in strange town

[zedzedeleven]

We are each, individually, responsible for our health and health care. To pass this responsibility to a tour rep is asking to be directed to a private clinic. Sadly, the calibre of tourist is often such that they are incapable of this, the most basic of responsibilities. Too many of them think they are in Blackpool with an nhs casualty department just for them.

[Ivemovedon]

If you rang for an ambulance where would they take you?. Nearest medical facility private or public, or straight to a public?

[Spike On Q]

Depends on the severity of your problem - but the crew normally is one paramedic and one technician and they make the decision where treatment is best given after first responder treatment is completed. They also have access to helicopter services if required.

To my knowledge it would be one of the Canarian Government Health Service 24 hour emergency treatment facilities including A&E in Puerto and access to a raft of specialists.

Many of the private health clinics rely on the Canarian government ambulance service to move patients to the hospital in Puerto when they consider them to require serious emergency treatment

[Ivemovedon]

OK thanks spike.

Thats blown my conspiracy theory that it could be government policy to influence medical services to ferry patients to fee paying establishments.

[Spike On Q]

I think there is probably more chance of that happening in the UK especially if MP's are on the board of the private health company