The doctors surgery

[Chica]

Accompanying my friend to the doctors surgery this morning got me thinking how different they are here when comparing to those in the UK.

Now, we already know that we are in for a min of an hours wait which really annoyed me at first, like haven't I got better things to do than sit for x amount of time with all these sick people around me and wonder what I will come out with!?

Now, I must be acclimatising to the spanish way of life because I have accepted the din that they make. It's really noisy, so noisy that you can't hear your name being called when its your turn. When I think back in the UK everyone would be sat stiffly there and not say a word to anyone or if you did everyone else would hear your conversation coz it's so quiet!!

I have found that the spanish are like us when it comes to queueing in supermarkets etc and in the surgery they accept forgivingly that their turn will come, until someone tries to barge in out of turn then all hell breaks loose!!! Where we would sit and take it quietly they will mutter and groan in a way that we would like to but are too reserved to do it!!

I also find that nearly the whole family goes too making it seem as though there are loads of people in front of you before it's your turn and you think that it will never come

So, I decided today that I quite like going to the doctors surgery where it can be quite entertaining.

Do yother expats find the same??

Do I need to get a life??

[Normatheexdiva]

I usually cover my face with shame on the way out. Our GP is lovely, but she likes to talk and appointments may take a while.
I book ours online and make sure I get in first but today was finally the day when Mr exdiva had to give his medical history. So that would be my job as the Castellano/Galego speaker to explain his thankfully, uncomplicated medical history.
She's thorough our GP. But oh, the muttering when one leaves...¡que verguenza!
She always asks 'would you like more drugs? and then prints out another sheaf of prescriptions.
xx

[Chica]

Originally Posted by Normatheexdiva

I usually cover my face with shame on the way out. Our GP is lovely, but she likes to talk and appointments may take a while.
I book ours online and make sure I get in first but today was finally the day when Mr exdiva had to give his medical history. So that would be my job as the Castellano/Galego speaker to explain his thankfully, uncomplicated medical history.
She's thorough our GP. But oh, the muttering when one leaves...¡que verguenza!
She always asks 'would you like more drugs? and then prints out another sheaf of prescriptions.
xx

I wonder what they would have said if Mr exdiva's passed medical history had of been complicated

[Caz.I]

I think it depends on the surgery and the doctor. The one I go to there is usually a massive queue just to book an appointment. However, since you can now book appointments online or by text, its been fantastic. (Best thing the government have done so far, I think.) Of course, if you need a specialist, or a blood test, there is further queuing but it has improved a lot. Wouldnt put it on my favourite places to go tho!
My doctor tends to be quite brisk and efficient, and I have been in and of there within seconds sometimes! On the other hand, my son's paeditrician, who is very good, is a mine of information, and so you always have to wait an hour for her.
The last time I saw my doctor, there was a notice on the door, saying if you have any flu symptoms you have to inform her immediately upon entering. I went with a terrible cough which wouldnt go, and she got very nervous and immediately whipped out one of these masks to protect herself, just in case! Needless to say, she was keen to get rid of me!

[Chica]

I also think that the presciption card is a very good idea that Spain has come up with. He has just had it stamped for 10 months!!!!! So he need not visit for another precription until that time is up unless he needs to vist for something new.

Like your doctor Caz my OH's is brusque and spares but a couple of words...haha.

[SteveHall]

I am just amazed at how quick AND thorough they are. In Torrevieja, if you are more than 10 mins late being seen the doll of a receptionist glides over and apologises! One day she lead me into a room and said I could sit there because she realised how annoying the noisy children must be!

The Spanish Health Service is something the Spanish have every right to be proud of I feel.

[Chica]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

I am just amazed at how quick AND thorough they are. In Torrevieja, if you are more than 10 mins late being seen the doll of a receptionist glides over and apologises! One day she lead me into a room and said I could sit there because she realised how annoying the noisy children must be!

The Spanish Health Service is something the Spanish have every right to be proud of I feel.

Yours must be private then?? That's not the way it goes in our surgery...lol.

[Normatheexdiva]

I don't think they have those prescription charge thingies oop north yet.
I have been amazed at just how good the system is, from actually giving me my horrendously expensive MS injections, to how clean the hospitals are.
Once I understood the differences between the UK and here, it's been very easy. No complaints. I did have to tell the rather sexy (his opinion, not mine) GP about Mr Diva's liver problem, which now puts him into the system, but I got his age wrong. I must write a note to tell her that he's 54, not 44!
xx

[SteveHall]

Nope, Spanish State Clinic.

[xrachelx]

hi

just wondered what the website u used was to book ur appointments online?

could you let me know what it is please

thanks

rachel