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I recently obtained my sip card, it took a while! Now I need an appointment to get a prescription for some medication I need. I use the health centre in Gran Alacant. Do I call and make an appointment? Turn up and ask for one? When I call, as my Spanish is not good enough, they usually hang up 🙄.Any advice welcome.
Sharond212 wrote on Tue Nov 17, 2020 10:28pm:
I recently obtained my sip card, it took a while! Now I need an appointment to get a prescription for some medication I need. I use the health centre in Gran Alacant. Do I call and make an appointment? Turn up and ask for one? When I call, as my Spanish is not good enough, they usually hang up �...
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...��.Any advice welcome.
Your health centre or clinic may insist that you take a translator. Our clinic insist on a translator or they won't deal with you.
Steve
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 11:24pm
Legendary helpful member
tebo53 wrote on Tue Nov 17, 2020 10:47pm:
Your health centre or clinic may insist that you take a translator. Our clinic insist on a translator or they won't deal with you.
Steve
Sharon, I think you need a friend or a neighbour to make that call for you. If you can't find one, perhaps there are Help Groups who will assist. Try search terms in google like "English hospital help in Alicante"?
The group up here who offer Help (interpretation) at Denia hospital would perhaps also help to make a call to the health centre and accompany someone. A donation is expected. There's bound to be similar groups in Alicante, I hope you can find one.
As a very very last resort you could try turning up at the Health centre. Rehearse a few Spanish phrases before you go in and maybe save them in your phone as an aid on the day.
Have your SIP in your hand and make sure your passport is visible on the counter. First, SMILE and say Buenas dia
"Sorry for my Spanish" (lo siento por mi Espanol)
Doing these two things can get you far!
"I want an appointment with Doctor Martinez" (Yo quiero una cita previa con Doctor/Doctora xx")
It may well work, it worked for me four years ago!
If you think they are turning you away because they want you to use the phone service your final card is
lo siento, no entiendo por telephono
Good luck, will you let us know how you get on?
Steve
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:01pm
dinnerout wrote on Tue Nov 17, 2020 11:24pm:
Sharon, I think you need a friend or a neighbour to make that call for you. If you can't find one, perhaps there are Help Groups who will assist. Try search terms in google like "English hospital help in Alicante"?
The group up here who offer Help (interpretation) at Denia hospital would perhaps also help to make a call to the health centre and accompany someone. A donation is expected. There's bound to be similar groups in Alicante, I hope you can find one....
Read more...
...
As a very very last resort you could try turning up at the Health centre. Rehearse a few Spanish phrases before you go in and maybe save them in your phone as an aid on the day.
Have your SIP in your hand and make sure your passport is visible on the counter. First, SMILE and say Buenas dia
"Sorry for my Spanish" (lo siento por mi Espanol)
Doing these two things can get you far!
"I want an appointment with Doctor Martinez" (Yo quiero una cita previa con Doctor/Doctora xx")
It may well work, it worked for me four years ago!
If you think they are turning you away because they want you to use the phone service your final card is
lo siento, no entiendo por telephono
Good luck, will you let us know how you get on?
Steve
Thank you for the advice, yes I think asking someone to make the call will be necessary. My Spanish is not bad but over the phone is difficult to understand what they are asking me. I have plenty of colleagues who could call up, I’ll give it a go tomorrow- if they ever answer the phone.
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