first spanish prescription

[Gingernuts]

I had to go to the doctors to get a prescription for my blood pressure and asthma meds. I had to take a translator (€20 an hour) and was seen quickly and professionally by a young female doctor. I then went to the chemists and was charged the sum of €2.10 for all my meds 4 items! pleasantly surprised
Now i know if i was back in Scotland it wouldve been free but i was paying 12 euros for 1 months worth in Spain over the counter so Im a happy bunny

 

[Verteuil Man]

If you have a UK prescription take it with you to the Spanish chemist and as long as the medication is not a real serious one you can get most over the counter.

 

[Gingernuts]

If you have a UK prescription take it with you to the Spanish chemist and as long as the medication is not a real serious one you can get most over the counter.

Thank you, but i live here now! (south east Spain) and have been getting my meds over the counter til now.

 

[Basa]

Saw yesterday that the NHS is apparently going to budget about £60m for translators for patients who cannot speak English
Many Medical centres in Spain have a sign that says bring a translator or pay for one at your appointment

 

[NewToMH]

We haven't got an S1 yet so have medical insurance, DKV. The insurance gives the option of online doctor appointments with either an English speaker or with a WhatsApp style interface, the latter allows you to use Google Translate or an equivalent, and I have used both to get prescriptions.
We do have rudimentary Spanish. When seeing doctors we arrive with the background information printed out in Spanish and use Google Translate (or equivalent) if it gets technical or we need to double check our understanding.
By the bye: Apparently, even if you have insurance it is best to register at the local CAP as the CAP will co-ordinate treatments.

 

[royandsharont]

Yes it’s very different in Spain, re you providing the translator, which we discovered when we lived there for a short while. Last time we were at the doctors in Santiago de la Ribera for Sharon a couple of years ago the doctor complimented me on my Spanish and suggested I teach Sharon it’s not that great really but I’ve retained more than I though I would once we left.

Back in the UK the services provide free translation for everyone whether it be NHS, Police, courts or other government agencies.

When we lived there, as an EU citizen I couldn’t get access to the free Spanish lessons but the many Moroccan immigrants in our area of Murcia got it all free. That surprised me at the time too.

 

[Basa]

My wife speaks reasonably decent Spanish and the doctor switched to English which was better for all of us
I think as we made a decent effort with learning the national language he was happy to help, however that was probably 15 years ago, not sure it’s the same today

 

[Peavy]

we made a decent effort with learning the national language

Well done.