It's in Villajoyosa, you will find contact details in THIS thread.

David

I also watch watchdog last night I know you can go to the hospital at villajoyosa, but is there a Doc in Benidorm it's self which you can call in to see if you are not that ill that you need to go to the hospital.

Hi, I didn't see the Watchdog programme, could somebody please enlighten me.

Thanks, Sue

Last night's BBC Watchdog report concentrated mainly on one particular doctor who practices at a clinic in Tenerife (click here for a summary of the report.) The story in itself is not new, we first reported about this doctor in our Tenerife forum two years ago.

Suggestions may have been made in the programme about overcharging and malpractices at some other private clinics in Spain. But again this is nothing new, we often hear the same said about some private clinics in the UK.

In the topic which I have linked to in my previous post, you will find a list of clinics and hospitals practicing in the public and private sectors. Public or state health service practitioners will usually accept the EHIC, but bear in mind that this sometimes provides only reduced cost treatment, rather than free treatment. You must stress in advance that you wish to be treated under the EHIC's reciprocal healthcare agreement, otherwise you could be treated as a private patient in that hospital or clinic and be faced with a massive bill which may not be refunded by the Dept of Health.

That's why it's so important that you have travel insurance in addition to the EHIC, and liaise with the insurance company as soon as possible, should an urgent or emergency medical situation arise.

We do have individual topics in our General Holiday Enquiries forum where you will find information and discussion about both the EHIC and Travel Insurance.

It would be unfortunate if the entire medical profession in Spain is tarred with the same brush due to one very damning report about a doctor in Tenerife. A vast majority of the feedback which I have received about healthcare on the Costa Blanca is very positive. The very few problems which do occur are usually due to holidaymakers not having an EHIC and/or adequate travel insurance cover.

David

It would be unfortunate if the entire medical profession in Spain is tarred with the same brush due to one very damning report about a doctor in Tenerife. A vast majority of the feedback which I have received about healthcare on the Costa Blanca is very positive. The very few problems which do occur are usually due to holidaymakers not having an EHIC and/or adequate travel insurance cover.

I agree with you 101% David. I think it is also worthe mentioning that Holiday Makers need to check their Insurance Policy covers them for any activities that they may want to undertake whilst abroad.

For example, many Policies will NOT cover you if you hire a Moped or Motorcycle and are unfortunate enough to have an accident. So you DO need to take out appropriate Insurance Covcer and READ your Policy VERY carefully. But I agree, not all European Doctors are as bad as te one mentioned in the report.

The Spanish Public Hospitals are ranked seventh best in the world, way ahead of the British NHS, which comes in 19th, according to the World Health Organisation - so tourists shouldn't be put off.

Too blinkin right, you can put me in a Spanish hospital anyday of the week.

I think it is also worthe mentioning that Holiday Makers need to check their Insurance Policy covers them for any activities that they may want to undertake whilst abroad.

I think you`ll find that virtually all Insurance policies these days are priced according to your personal circumstances, which includes your age, medical history and any activities that you wish to participate in.
If you`re going sking, then you`ll not want a policy for riding a jet off the coast of Ibiza.

BTW: BHIC...there is no need to keep using capitals letters and making them bold.....that is considered as shouting and I`m not blind or deaf yet

Sanji

BTW: BHIC...there is no need to keep using capitals letters and making them bold.....that is considered as shouting and I`m not blind or deaf yet

Sanji, that is the second time you have told me off now.

I use Capital Letters when I wish to emphasize something. I assure you I am NOT shouting at you Its very difficult in the spoken word to get something across as you mean it to be interpreted, so therefore I use caps and italics and bold and underlining to make a point that I feel needs clarifying or emphasing. I am well aware that typing ENTIRELY IN UPPER CASE LETTERS like that is considred as shouting under the rules of good 'netiquette'. ( not to mention in violation of HT Terms & Conditions);

Its a bit like text messaging.....people abbrieviate and sometimes its so easy to 'misread' what they are actually telling you.

I'm going to stand in the corner now facing the wall.

And PLEASE don't go OFF-TOPIC either
Actually, a few members have commented about the block capitals and bold or italic text, so perhaps it could be dispensed with please.

Now BACK on TOPIC

David

My dad ended up in "Clinica Benidorm" which is the private hospital, we didn't get a choice really where he was going, the doctor that came to the hotel called the ambulance and he was blue lighted there. Have to admit the casualty part was terrifying, staff not speaking much english so I couldn't get across much about his medical history. After about an hour he was taken into a private room, we was told he had a 50-50 chance as he had septicemia and pneumonia. For the next 10 days they gave him the most ultimate care anyone could wish for and a doctor that kept us informed of everything. He survived this ordeal and he even said himself despite being frightened of being in a foreign hospital he couldn't have wished for better care.
Gailxxx

Hi all! Whilst in benidorm last year, our 12 yr old got food poisoning (Although this was not in spain- as his syptoms started on the plane), anyway we asked the rep which was the nearest hospital, and we were sent to clinic levante, he was well checked over, and was told depending on the xray results he may have to stay overnight (Luckily he did not have to), I have never come accross such a clean, well-run, (Could even say luxurious - but some might say daft !!!). If only our hospitals were half as good - no sitting there for 6 or 7 hours, he was seen straight away, and was well worth the money, for piece of mind, knowing he was on the mend! BBB

Is that a proper hospital by the Flamingo Oasis or is it just a large clinic?

Hi, I'm not sure where the flamingo is., but the hospital I am talking about is in the Rincon de lux area. BBB

http://www.hospitaldelevante.com

http://www.clinicabenidorm.com/eng/home.htm
click on the English

sanji xxx

Very impressive, especially when you think what most of our hospital look like

Our Son was also sent to Clinica Benidorm by a doctor in an ambulance 7 years ago, he was only 3, so we were really worried whilst waiting for the ambulance, but we needn't have worried he was seen within 10 mins and given a prescription, the Hospital then arranged for a taxi to take us to a chemist and then back to our apts, we were there and back in no time.

Lizzie

I can also vouch for Clinica Benidorm. Very friendly and efficient staff. Can't say as much for the doctor who sent me there - I hadn't even sat down and he'd told me I had shingles. Despite my protestations to the contrary and telling him of my - subsequently confirmed - diagnosis I was immediately sent by ambulance and kept in for two days.

This was the doctors on Calle Gerona near to the Pelicanos.

We are off to Benidorm on Tuesday and I wondered if anyone knows where the nearest hospital is with maternity facilities as I will be five months pregnant when we travel and I want to know where it is just incase.

I have insurance and a European Health Insurance Card.

Thanks

Katy

Both the Hospital de Levante and the Hospital Clinica de Benidorm have specialised Gynaecology and Obstetrics services.

SanJi x

Hi Katy ... I assume you have notified your travel insurers of the pregnancy, you may be obliged to do so under the terms of the policy.

David