Emergency services

marcliff wrote on Fri Dec 29, 2023 11:07pm:

112. Same as UK 999 will give you access to Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coast Guard etc. They will reply in English and works the same as 999.

Even if you panic and dial 999 or 911 (cos everyone watches American TV) you'll be connected to the emergency services.

John123456 wrote on Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:41am:

Just dial 112

Grannyrose wrote on Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:28pm:

I remember thinking the same !   When you arrive in Spain , you become very conscious how isolated you are. Firstly, find a Pharmacy nearby. Pop in and out and buy paracetamol or whatever you might need and get to know the staff. You’ll find that they are amazing and speak English pretty w...

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...ell. Keep any outer packs from medicines you have been prescribed and may need again.  If you show them this evidence, they’ll generally supply you with them without a prescription.  Once you are a resident and all sorted, you’ll register with a doctor and take it from there. 

I keep a list of urgent ‘phone numbers stuck onto the gable of the fridge/freezer. 

Find out where your local medical centre is and have your Global Health Card with you ( old Ehic). If attending, bring it along with you and your passport.

Hopefully , you’ll get to know an English speaking neighbour who you could call upon if in trouble. 

There’s an excellent private Hospital called HOSPITAL QUIRON on the La Mata side of Torrevieja   Open 24/7 

If possible, bring some antibiotics for chest problems, urinary tract problems or teeth problems.  Always good for an emergency.

For ladies, I’d suggest cystitis remedies available in chemists and big supermarkets in the U.K. but not in Spain. A couple of boxes in the medicine chest could save some poor female’s sanity. 

I keep a good stock of Lemsip remedies in the medicine cupboard, cheaper to buy in the U.K. 

All other medicines accessible locally if you know the name. Take photographs, they’ll use their computer to find the same or very similar. ( pharmacist)

Always have a note of your health centre telephone number incase you need to ‘phone for help  ( UK)

Keep a note of your latest eye test results  contact lenses are cheaper in Spain  (ask for discount )  I always get discount  when buying mine    It may take a few days for delivery so order in advance  

Get your teeth thoroughly checked before departing  No free or subsidised dental treatment in Spain that I know of.

PHARMACISTS will happily check your blood pressure free of charge and offer advice if necessary.

Always use a high factor sun cream and invest in quality products.   You could pack in large bottles in hold luggage. I read somewhere that Asda’s own brand was excellent and cheap.  LA ROCHE POSSAY do a factor 50 suitable for the face and contains No irritants   ( perspiration can run from the forehead into the eyes and if using ordinary sun protection, your eyes will sting and hurt)

Ok  that’s everything I can think of!!!

Forgive me if I’ve forgotten anything important  

Always remember, you have friends here on the forum!!  All the best. Cheers and a very Happy New Year. 

JillPe wrote on Sun Dec 31, 2023 8:55am:

Dial 112, and immediately just say ‘English’.
I also wondered what the 112 service was like. A couple of months ago, I found out first hand: We had an intruder on our property about 10:30 at night. I called 112, and it was answered in Spanish. They immediately offered the service in Valenc...

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...iano, by instructing the caller to ‘Say Valenciano’. So I said ‘English’, and was immediately put through to an English speaking operator. He was clear, concise and very professional. Within 5-10 minutes, the Guardia Civil arrived and caught the perpetrator.

Hopefully you won’t need it, but it’s good to know what to do in an emergency. 

Grannyrose wrote on Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:28pm:

I remember thinking the same !   When you arrive in Spain , you become very conscious how isolated you are. Firstly, find a Pharmacy nearby. Pop in and out and buy paracetamol or whatever you might need and get to know the staff. You’ll find that they are amazing and speak English pretty w...

Read more...

...ell. Keep any outer packs from medicines you have been prescribed and may need again.  If you show them this evidence, they’ll generally supply you with them without a prescription.  Once you are a resident and all sorted, you’ll register with a doctor and take it from there. 

I keep a list of urgent ‘phone numbers stuck onto the gable of the fridge/freezer. 

Find out where your local medical centre is and have your Global Health Card with you ( old Ehic). If attending, bring it along with you and your passport.

Hopefully , you’ll get to know an English speaking neighbour who you could call upon if in trouble. 

There’s an excellent private Hospital called HOSPITAL QUIRON on the La Mata side of Torrevieja   Open 24/7 

If possible, bring some antibiotics for chest problems, urinary tract problems or teeth problems.  Always good for an emergency.

For ladies, I’d suggest cystitis remedies available in chemists and big supermarkets in the U.K. but not in Spain. A couple of boxes in the medicine chest could save some poor female’s sanity. 

I keep a good stock of Lemsip remedies in the medicine cupboard, cheaper to buy in the U.K. 

All other medicines accessible locally if you know the name. Take photographs, they’ll use their computer to find the same or very similar. ( pharmacist)

Always have a note of your health centre telephone number incase you need to ‘phone for help  ( UK)

Keep a note of your latest eye test results  contact lenses are cheaper in Spain  (ask for discount )  I always get discount  when buying mine    It may take a few days for delivery so order in advance  

Get your teeth thoroughly checked before departing  No free or subsidised dental treatment in Spain that I know of.

PHARMACISTS will happily check your blood pressure free of charge and offer advice if necessary.

Always use a high factor sun cream and invest in quality products.   You could pack in large bottles in hold luggage. I read somewhere that Asda’s own brand was excellent and cheap.  LA ROCHE POSSAY do a factor 50 suitable for the face and contains No irritants   ( perspiration can run from the forehead into the eyes and if using ordinary sun protection, your eyes will sting and hurt)

Ok  that’s everything I can think of!!!

Forgive me if I’ve forgotten anything important  

Always remember, you have friends here on the forum!!  All the best. Cheers and a very Happy New Year.