Nearest doctors to Faro Park are at Punta Limones - past Flamingo Beach.

Is that the stretch just after Flamingo Beach on the bend where the cars park at right angles to the road?

Can you check this link? Google map

What is normal practice at a doctors for the holiday maker, would you be expected to pay a bill and reclaim from insurance? Is an E111 any use at all?

Yes thats the one, just down from Playa Flamingo Apartments.
I am sure the E111 has been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) its a plastic card just like a credit card,application forms from the post office if i remember correctly.Not sure what the procedeure would be ,never had to use the doctor in Lanzarote.Hope this helps

That is correct, the E111 was replaced by the EHIC a couple of years ago. There is a topic about it at the top of the General Holiday Enquries forum including a link to applying online on Page 1.

I see you say you will be there in a few days. The EHIC is usually received 3-4 days after online application.

luci

Sorry to mislead, I realise there is the new'ish European Health Insurance Card in place of the E111 and all in my party have there own. Its just me being lazy as E111 is imprinted in my memory.

Thanks for making sure I was aware and for the advice on Doctors.

I have used the doctors at Punta Limones but always through my insurance. I have never tried the EHC.

i have used this doctors twice, once for an aircraft aquired chest infection for my mother in law, very poorly, the young doctor was amazing, very very good service, whilst over here the doc would be reluctant to even give you antibiotics, over in lanzarote she had one injection evrey day for 5 days, and made a spectacular recovery.
last september, my infant son 12 months caught an aircraft aquired infection, and was seen by the doc in papagayo center, very good service here as well, just amoxiciilin, and tonic sachets.
however, you do have to pay, its not cheap, my m.i.l paid 650£
and i paid 150£ for a prescription for my son, you can claim it back through your insurance, but remember, you pay the accsess, around 50/100£.
there is now a general practise, over the road in town behind the garage, remember to take all your i.d. for this, and be prepared to wait.

I realise I am taking a risk, but bascially, I am going to Lanzarote shortly without medical insurance not declaring my pre existing problems - due to my health I am unable to get insurance.

My GP said that as we are in the EU, the medical service should be provided free, as he would have to see other EU visitors needing medical help to this country. I have the new EHIC. How do you think it will work, if I had a problem, would I have to look for "specific NHS" doctors, rather than private who would be covered by any insurance? Where would I go in Playa Blanca. We are staying at Timanfaya Palace.

Please do not suggest trying to get insurance, it is honestly a waste of time. I have got medicine to take with me "just in case".

Any help appreciated.

I know what you mean re Insurance refusals as I had lots of trouble sorting when my husband was alive.

I dont think I would personally travel without it. If you were using the EHIC then I am sure you would have to visit a local state hospital.

We always had success with the following brokers JD Consultants Travel Insurance 01689 856 984

Good luck

Kath x

Girlie
Arrecife general hospital is the one that deals with people that have no private medical insurance. The staff do not generally speak English and they do not normally prioritise holidaymakers. For a doctor have a look at:
http://www.britishsurgeryoflanzarote.com/index.htm
I know trying to get pre existing conditions covered is hard work and can be very expensive but what would happen if you had to be repatriated? Have the people you are travelling with got insurance? Is it just medical cover you don't have? Have you got cover for passport/documentation loss, baggage delay, public liability, personal belongings etc?

Perhaps you should try and get travel insuranced that excluded your PEMC for the reasons outlined above, eg repatriation, etc.

luci

Thanks for the response.

My husband has got me insurance for the other stuff - without covering my medical problems. We are only going for a week, so I reckon it would be really bad luck to have to see a doctor or go to the hospital. Holidays have always been so important to me, so I think I am trying to get some "normality" in my life. Do I play it safe or go out with a bang!

I will note the hospital in Arrecife, any more help appreciated.

There's a state medical centre just down from the Red Cepsa garage as you enter Playa Blanca (behind La Bocyana restaurant). If you need to use your European medical card then try there first. I have heard that they are nervous about seeing English without an interpretor due to the risk of mis-diagnosis.

There's private doctors all over Playa Blanca. A relation of ours used the German one by the church and they were excellent. They had a foot that had doubled in size due to an infected insect bite (that actually happened in UK the day before flying out). They had all sorts of treatment and went back 5 times. They had to pay 300 Euros which they claimed back on insurance.

As a resident of the Channel Islands, I don't have access to the EU card system, but on a recent trip to Lanzarote needed medical attention for an abscess . I was recommended the http://www.britishsurgeryoflanzarote.com/index.htm by the people we had rented our villa from, and, can relate a good experience from the incident. The doctor there trained in Wales/ Northern England and has a good surgery in PDC with equipment for mid/minor surgical intervention on a par with the UK. Obviously you will need travel insurance to pay for your treatment (and will need to pay the first £50) but, it may be worth it if you are in pain.