Holidaying In Spain? Be Aware

[ChillDoubt]

Some hospitals are refusing to acknowledge the EHIC cards(formerly E111).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22712790

Worth a mention, as doubtless some here on AB will be travelling there in the coming months.

[Prudie]

Then I think the Brits are wrong.
PS You better not forget :-))

[Sqad]

\\\Also in Spain relatives are expected to do the routine nursing care for patients, help with washing, feeding etc, how many on here know this? \\\

This is expected, but not compulsory and the Spanish family unit is more closely emotive than the average UK family, so do it willingly.
You try in the UK to get the family to look after mother......all sorts of excuses would be put forward.

if there is nobody then you will get nursing care..........far superior to that in certain hospitals in Staffordshire.......;-)

[hc4361]

I don't know why some Spanish public hospitals are refusing to accept the EHIC from British people as they get fully repaid by the UK.

It can take longer than claiming from insurance but they do get it all back.

[netibiza]

My daughter could not get treated in a NHS hospital in Sutton Surrey on her EHIC card.

[netibiza]

Yes I know that all relatives are expected to help in hospitals, having done that myself. I was visiting a sick friend of a friend to cheer her up and then was told that I would have to give her a bedpan and empty it, yuk, I did but that was it, I was off out before you could stop me. Yes for relatives but friends of a friend???

[annieigma]

I fear that we think mostly normal people are presenting their self to the hospitals etc. with serious ailments, but I expect the spanish are fed up to the teeth with drunken europeans( thats what the english, scots and welsh are,oh, and northern irish) I can imagine its a problem, but, having been to spain many times
I know the spanish are a very different culture to the brits and tend to ignore the european rules of anything, medical or employment wise. They seem to hate immigrants, yet we have lots of spaniards and millions of other nationalities and we regard it as no big deal. If you are sick, we treat you, we save your life, we do not ask for a credit card before you get attention, or afterwards.