Why Spain?
Health in Spain:
Spain is almost as perfect an environment as it is possible to obtain. It is not surprising that many people consider a permanent relocation to Spain, especially for retirement. And while it feels like a very big decision, if you explore the facts with us you'll soon discover that for your health, moving to Spain actually makes perfect sense.
The main attraction is the winter weather with, depending on the area, mild temperatures and little rain.
Another feature is the Spanish food. We have all heard and read about the Mediterranean Diet, which seems to be so popular in newspapers, magazines and especially diet books. Spain is one of the dozen countries on the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying lots of sunshine. Spanish food contains a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts, a huge selection fish from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, as well as red meat, lamb and pork. Although each Mediterranean country has its own cuisine and unique dietary customs, there are general characteristics that are the same throughout the Mediterranean, including Spain:
> Fresh fruits & Vegetables, bread, potatoes, nuts and beans are eaten daily in large quantities.
> Olive oil is the primary source of fat, which is a monounsaturated fat (sometimes called the “good fats”) and does not raise blood cholesterol in the same way that other do.
> Fish is eaten several times a week and contains omega-3 oils, thought to reduce the risk of heart disease.
> Meat and poultry are eaten in smaller quantities.
> Wine is consumed moderately.
Medical treatment in Spain:
- Healthcare
The Spanish health-care system is very good. Most hospitals are modern and well-equipped and the doctors and staff are excellent. There are a few differences between the British and Spanish health systems, but overall they are very similar. The biggest difference is the level of nursing care available in Spain. While Spanish nurses are well-trained and efficient, they simply do not perform the same duties as British nurses, and many tasks (particularly personal care and feeding) have to be carried out by the patient's family instead. All hospitals allow one companion to be with the patient 24 hours a day. Visiting times vary for other visitors.
Remember that most medical staff do not speak English, even in resort areas. In some tourist towns a voluntary translation service is available for doctor's appointments, but that will not be available at all times. It is a good idea to find out whether or not such a service exists in your local medical centre when you first arrive in Spain, and if so, at what times it operates.
- Dentists
Most Health Centres have a dentist who will provide free treatment to people registered with the social security system. You may also find dentists offering emergency treatment in Spanish hospitals. If you have any problems getting an appointment with the dentist at your local health centre, then private dental treatment is widely available and prices are low compared to private treatment in the UK. For private dental work, expect to pay around 10 euros for a check-up, and 40-50 euros for a filling.
- Chemists
Everyone needs to see a chemist at some point during their stay in Spain, even if it is for minor mosquito bites, sunburn or a cold.
Chemists in Spain can be recognised by the green (or red) cross
Outside regular business hours, you must go to a 24 hour chemist. A list of these “Farmacias de Guardia” is usually displayed in the window or in the local press.
Prescription medications in Spain are among the cheapest in Europe. However, chemists add a huge mark-up on non-prescription medications, such as painkillers, cough medicines and eye drops.
Spanish chemists are highly trained and are a great resource as they provide free medical advice for minor problems. They can supply a wide range of medicines over the counter without a prescription. Many chemists stock homeopathic and herbal remedies.
Bear in mind that brand names of medicines will change between countries; you will need to bring the generic name as well as the chemical composition and dosage. Should you need to replace your medicine, we recommend you show the packet to the chemist to avoid confusion.