Central Saude

jessi · Post by **jessi** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:59 pm

Wow what an eye opener! I accompanied my daughter to the Central
Saude on Wednesday, as she was in quite a lot of pain ,and needed some attention, only to be met with a receptionist with a face like thunder, no smile of sympathy,and by the way my daughter can speak a fair amount of Portuguese! Was finally ushered in to a wooden faced lady doctor.
My daughter asked if the doctor spoke any English,and was shouted at sol fala Portuguese! Fair enough you might say, but when someone is in a lot of pain and trying hard to think of the medical words in Portuguese you would think maybe a little sympathy would be in order. I wonder what has happened to the European Community spirit? Does it only exist in England?

bife73 · Post by **bife73** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 4:40 pm

I speak fluent Portuguese, and the reception is pretty much the same. Even if you're Portuguese (like my wife).Thats why Iwe have private insurance...I use Alvor private hospital for my wife, daughter and myself. Worth every cent!
And you get service with a smile...because you pay for it!

Avvie · Post by **Avvie** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:08 am

Jessi, sorry to hear of your treatment at the doctor's. Unfortunately, in my experience, those people working in the doctors, or social security. water department etc. etc., seem to take great pleasure in showing off their authority and making life difficult for ex-pats. I have had plenty of experience of this, and it is not a nice feeling. We are here hoping to share our skills and friendship with the Portuguese (most of whom I have to say are lovely people), only to be 'put down' by these sad individuals. I suppose we just have to keep on rallying against this type of behaviour

but this can be difficult with the language difficulty. With regards to private health facilities, lovely if you can afford it, but many of us here earn very little money and couldn't possibly even consider this.

Hope your daughter is on the mend now!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:41 pm

About 3 years ago we met an eldery Brit, retired and living in M.CVO, who had similar very unfriendly treatment in CVO in clinic behind(above?) Colombos, from a woman doctor there.
I don't know if all the N.H ones are like that..certainly hope not!!
I used to pay to see a German doctor when we lived there (lot cheaper then, about equivalent of £10 in escudos))...and if Im ill out there now I go to Dr Kenneth Vieira, up the steps by the paper kiosk just past taxi rank. But it isn't cheap...will have to try to stay well on next visit!

Hope your daughter is better now Jessi ? How unpleasant for her when she was in such pain and probably worried too, things like this make me very angry! A little kindness & a caring manner costs nothing.
best wishes..ellie

logicbob · Post by **logicbob** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:42 pm

bife73 how much does it cost for private medical insurance. Is it local insurance?

bife73 · Post by **bife73** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:09 pm

logicbob wrote:bife73 how much does it cost for private medical insurance. Is it local insurance?

I'm insured through Lusitania, but AXA do the same insurance. It is called "Help Care" it is accepted at the Alvor private hospital & the Santa Maria in Faro....There is actually a whole list of clinics in the little book you get. When out of the EEC they pay 80% of all costs.
In their list of clinics/hospitals you pay a max of 13.00 euros per consultation and exams are 0%. There are value cut offs for various treatments, but it seemed to be sufficient.
I pay approx. 500.00 euros a year for myself. My wife and daughter have a joint insurance which is another 600.00 euros a year. Of course age and health will alter that.....

Gary/Gaynor · Post by **Gary/Gaynor** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:42 pm

I too Ellie have had to use Kenneth Vieira in th past ( he's our neighbour our apartment is above his surgery) and he's lovely, so is his Dutch wife who's the receptionist. As you say we have to pay but living in Holland our insurance, which is private anyway, covers everything.
Have had lno experice with Portuguese hospitals but have been wondering myself on the service there. Intereting to kow there is a private hospital in Alvor, useful to know...just incase.
Gaynor

logicbob · Post by **logicbob** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:56 pm

Thank you Bife73, it seems good value for money.