The Sistema Sanitario Público (Public Health Service) in Spain varies a little in quality depending on which of the 17 health regions you are living in. However, overall Spain has an excellent record in health service provision and is generally regarded as providing a superior service to that of the UK, and most of the rest of the world, now.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that life expectancy in Spain is 78 for males and 84 for females compared to 77 and 81 in the UK.
If you are working in Spain and paying Seguridad Social (Spanish Social Security) payments then you are entitled to free health care as if you were a Spaniard. You are also entitled to a 60% discount off all prescription medicines.
The first step to free health care is to register with your local Centro de Salud (Health Centre). You are free to choose any doctor or health centre after you have registered and you have many rights in Spain explained in the Carta de Derechos y Deberes (Charter of Rights and Obligations) which are available in all health centres.
If you are referred to a specialist and need an operation you will quickly discover that the Spanish health service is very thorough. You will have comprehensive blood tests, cardiograms and x-rays taken as standard and you will meet to discuss your forthcoming operation with both your surgeon and anaesthetist. Together, the thorough pre-operation checks and the face to face interviews with your specialists, make for a confidence-inspiring procedure.
Many expats take out private health care insurance or simply pay for such services as required. However, it is unnecessary as the Seguridad Social has more equipment and frequently you will be operated on by the same surgeon as you would have been if you had paid 'to go private'. Waiting lists are generally short and you should always be operated on within 6 months, however it is generally around half this time if you are a priority.
Many doctors and nurses in the tourist areas speak some English but Red Tape can provide the following services:
- Accompanied visits and translation services to register you, and your family, with your local Centro de Salud
- Medical translation services - documents
- Accompanied visits and translation services for hospital appointments or emergencies
- Finding care homes for the elderly who wish to stay in Spain and not return to the UK
- Help with claiming sickness benefits
If you are off work, with a short term illness, you will get a baja (sick note) from your doctor at the Health Centre which you present to your employer and then he/she must continue to pay you.
For longer term sickness you are entitled to full sickness benefits from your local Seguridad Social (Social Security) office providing that you have been paying into the system. You will receive these payments for as long as you are deemed unfit to work by your doctor.
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Contact: Jose Ensenat on 661 341 568 or at jose@redtape.es