Birvidik_Bob
Well-Known Member
Conversations with a few Greek & Yotty friends set me thinking:
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/birvidik/?xjMsgID=339718
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/birvidik/?xjMsgID=339718
Greek medical care pushes the envelope
- Thread starter Birvidik_Bob
- Start date
Davy_S
Well-Known Member
I have to reply to the above!
There is no doubt that backhanders take place,but it is not the norm. I have lived in the Ionian for 10 years, some of the hospital treatment is first class, they saved the sight of my wife's eye, their equipment was far superior to nhs equipment at the time. They saved the life of a friend, they told him he had cancer, he doubted them and travelled back for bupa care, they (bupa) misdiagnosed him, he returned to Greece, was treated and recovered. we have seen many friends treated in Greece. I would say that uk nurses have a better bedside manner, but you cannot fault the doctors, yes, there are problems, but heresay a facts are two different things. It can seem strange to visit someone in a Greek hospital though, complete families walking in and out jabbering on mobile phones, one of them shouted to me, if you want a cigarette you can use our window (at the side of the bed) I would certainly trust their doctors though.
There is no doubt that backhanders take place,but it is not the norm. I have lived in the Ionian for 10 years, some of the hospital treatment is first class, they saved the sight of my wife's eye, their equipment was far superior to nhs equipment at the time. They saved the life of a friend, they told him he had cancer, he doubted them and travelled back for bupa care, they (bupa) misdiagnosed him, he returned to Greece, was treated and recovered. we have seen many friends treated in Greece. I would say that uk nurses have a better bedside manner, but you cannot fault the doctors, yes, there are problems, but heresay a facts are two different things. It can seem strange to visit someone in a Greek hospital though, complete families walking in and out jabbering on mobile phones, one of them shouted to me, if you want a cigarette you can use our window (at the side of the bed) I would certainly trust their doctors though.
Bertramdriver
Well-Known Member
Hi Bob, hope all is well with you both.
I have great respect for the Greek health system. After a fall on a slipway on Aegina my leg became severely infected and the flesh was necrotising at a scary rate. I plucked up courage and visited the health centre where I immediately began a course of daily treatment. During the couple of weeks I was treated the doctors went on strike, and then the nurses, but my treatment continued uninterrupted for the cost of €100 made to the Centre's emergency fund. I was treated respectfully and competently, the only issue was some voiced regret that so many of their colleagues had left to join the NHS.
I suppose the €100 could be called a bribe but in truth it was a fair price for excellent care.
I have great respect for the Greek health system. After a fall on a slipway on Aegina my leg became severely infected and the flesh was necrotising at a scary rate. I plucked up courage and visited the health centre where I immediately began a course of daily treatment. During the couple of weeks I was treated the doctors went on strike, and then the nurses, but my treatment continued uninterrupted for the cost of €100 made to the Centre's emergency fund. I was treated respectfully and competently, the only issue was some voiced regret that so many of their colleagues had left to join the NHS.
I suppose the €100 could be called a bribe but in truth it was a fair price for excellent care.
Chris_Robb
Well-Known Member
Hi Bob. I spent 2 weeks on my back in Prevesa Hospital. The clinical care was brilliant, the nursing - hotel bit was utterly absent, and I was on my own and could not move.
Initial problem was what was the Greek for a bed pan......... My wifes Greek Godmother in the UK came up with the words - too late!:disgust:
I was in a room by myself and apart from the treatment had no contact with anyone. I had no water. Eventually I called in Greek "Ella" - come - to a passer by. She understood at once what I needed and went off to get armfuls of water bottles. She looked after me like a mother for a week until I was mobile.
No sign at any point of any cash payments required. My EHIC paid all - do check that yours is in date, mine ran out the day I went into hospital. EHIC organisation in London sorted it within hours.
As for the insurance company, trying to trick me into admitting my back was a pre existing injury - that is another story and is a disgrace.
Initial problem was what was the Greek for a bed pan......... My wifes Greek Godmother in the UK came up with the words - too late!:disgust:
I was in a room by myself and apart from the treatment had no contact with anyone. I had no water. Eventually I called in Greek "Ella" - come - to a passer by. She understood at once what I needed and went off to get armfuls of water bottles. She looked after me like a mother for a week until I was mobile.
No sign at any point of any cash payments required. My EHIC paid all - do check that yours is in date, mine ran out the day I went into hospital. EHIC organisation in London sorted it within hours.
As for the insurance company, trying to trick me into admitting my back was a pre existing injury - that is another story and is a disgrace.
jordanbasset
Well-Known Member
My wife had treatment at two Greek Hospitals, never any suggestion of payment
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
I've been treated in Greek hospitals on 5 occasions - never any hint of the need for Fakalia. Generally the quality of the medics was comparable (frequently better) than UK, facilities appalling or non-existent BUT I twice had an ultrasound scan within 6 hours of it being deemed necessary, as an outpatient in the UK it would have been more like 6 weeks.
Drugs and dressings are far less expensive than in the UK and, if you need to go private,fees about 20-25% of UK medics - I suspect because few polloi have private medical insurance and nearly all doctors are having to moonlight to supplement incomes. Example in the last 3 weeks €25 cf £80 for a specialist consultation.
The comment made first by Birdvik Bob, about the apparent increase, the farther E you go, in illegal payment for more considerate treatment, is generally one with which I'd agree. Some put it down to the social ethos handed on by the Ottomans, others to the Byzantine state and yet others to the fact that the Roman state, from Republican times was fully privatised. It was, probably, most rampant in the tax-collection arm of the Greek state.
Drugs and dressings are far less expensive than in the UK and, if you need to go private,fees about 20-25% of UK medics - I suspect because few polloi have private medical insurance and nearly all doctors are having to moonlight to supplement incomes. Example in the last 3 weeks €25 cf £80 for a specialist consultation.
The comment made first by Birdvik Bob, about the apparent increase, the farther E you go, in illegal payment for more considerate treatment, is generally one with which I'd agree. Some put it down to the social ethos handed on by the Ottomans, others to the Byzantine state and yet others to the fact that the Roman state, from Republican times was fully privatised. It was, probably, most rampant in the tax-collection arm of the Greek state.
Retired in Crete
Well-Known Member
I have lived in Greece (Crete) for 10 years and in my opinion the Greek health service is way superior to the NHS!
I walked off the street into a doctors, was examined and referred to a named specialist at the local hospital. I walked to the hospital, was examined again, had an ultrasound scan and walked out with a handful of prescriptions all within 2 hours! The only payment was 2 Euros, which everyone pays when visiting the hospital. I was told this is an insurance premium.
My wife was in the ICU at a hospital in Heraklion. It was like a scene from Star Trek. One nurse per every 2 patients and visitors (when allowed) had to dress in full sterile clothing including hats, shoes and gowns. Two weeks later I visited my mother-in-law in the ICU of Northwick Park Hospital in Middx. The contrast was incredible! Two nurses for around 15 patients, antiquated equipment and little done to prevent the spread of infection.
The British public are brainwashed into believing that the NHS is the best in the world. It is not! I know where I would rather be if I was not well!
John
I walked off the street into a doctors, was examined and referred to a named specialist at the local hospital. I walked to the hospital, was examined again, had an ultrasound scan and walked out with a handful of prescriptions all within 2 hours! The only payment was 2 Euros, which everyone pays when visiting the hospital. I was told this is an insurance premium.
My wife was in the ICU at a hospital in Heraklion. It was like a scene from Star Trek. One nurse per every 2 patients and visitors (when allowed) had to dress in full sterile clothing including hats, shoes and gowns. Two weeks later I visited my mother-in-law in the ICU of Northwick Park Hospital in Middx. The contrast was incredible! Two nurses for around 15 patients, antiquated equipment and little done to prevent the spread of infection.
The British public are brainwashed into believing that the NHS is the best in the world. It is not! I know where I would rather be if I was not well!
John
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
My treatment was four years ago, so not as current as the link may be talking about but about as far east as you can go in Greece. I experienced stomach pains when sailing, returned to Leros and visited the hospital on a Sunday afternoon. Within about two hours I had undergone every test known to man, and a provisional diagnosis was given. On Monday morning a surgeon confirmed that it was a hernia and he operated on Tuesday. Excellent job and I now cannot find the scar. My only payments were 4 x €3 for the dressings clinic.
sailaboutvic
Well-Known Member
Morning everyone
Someone one have to alway come alone with a different opinion don't they ? .
I had to visit Messilonghi hospital and I have to say it the worst hospital I have every seen in my life , another yachtsman got knocked off his bike and couldn't walk , we had our car at the time so we took him , the hospital was a state , there was a cardboard with sterile dressings needles and other stuff just left on the floor , rust of the water down pipe was pasted on the walls ( this is the inside of the hospital by the treatment room , people shouting and fighting in the hall way , he was treated in a room with four other people , one had blood from a head injury , no blinds between them , they sent him for an X-ray , after waiting quite a while he was told they couldn't X-ray him because there wasn't any film , back to the treatment room where he was told he need to go to Patras For an X-ray , we took him to Patras , there he was told he didn't need an X-ray , there nothing wrong he just need to rest his leg it was only swollen , two days down the line when his leg was turning a funny colour and has it happen Jordenbasset wife who is an ex wife took one look at it and said it need to be seen to ASAP , lucky there had a flight back home the next day , in the UK they found he had two breaks in the legs .
I for one wouldn't use Messilonghi hospital unless t was a life or death situation .
I glad to see this isn't the case all over Greece
Someone one have to alway come alone with a different opinion don't they ? .
I had to visit Messilonghi hospital and I have to say it the worst hospital I have every seen in my life , another yachtsman got knocked off his bike and couldn't walk , we had our car at the time so we took him , the hospital was a state , there was a cardboard with sterile dressings needles and other stuff just left on the floor , rust of the water down pipe was pasted on the walls ( this is the inside of the hospital by the treatment room , people shouting and fighting in the hall way , he was treated in a room with four other people , one had blood from a head injury , no blinds between them , they sent him for an X-ray , after waiting quite a while he was told they couldn't X-ray him because there wasn't any film , back to the treatment room where he was told he need to go to Patras For an X-ray , we took him to Patras , there he was told he didn't need an X-ray , there nothing wrong he just need to rest his leg it was only swollen , two days down the line when his leg was turning a funny colour and has it happen Jordenbasset wife who is an ex wife took one look at it and said it need to be seen to ASAP , lucky there had a flight back home the next day , in the UK they found he had two breaks in the legs .
I for one wouldn't use Messilonghi hospital unless t was a life or death situation .
I glad to see this isn't the case all over Greece
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Tony Cross
Well-Known Member
+1
I have had cancer treated in Greece, a broken wrist treated in Greece and heart arrhythmias treated in Greece. I have found the level of medical expertise to be as good as in the UK and the standard of care to be equal too. But then I have used the EHIC (E111) and I suspect that Bob's brown envelope problems stem from not having that.
I remember Paul's eye operations well too. I think he elected to have them done privately (hence the brown envelope) because the waiting list to have them done with the EHIC was too long.
I'm not suggesting of course that it doesn't happen because I know as well as you that it does. I have never experienced it at all, and I have made good use of the Greek healthcare system.
spencerd
Active Member
I can only say that I got treated in a well know clinic (private) in Nidri twice this year. Once for a blocked ear and the second from a full off a bike. Both through my insurance. Excellent treatment by very caring doctors. I could have gone down the brown envelope route costing €60 as was my excess, but decided not too. Would not hesitate to use them again...not so sure about the hospital as I hate waiting.
paulingreece
Well-Known Member
I have one word for Greek hospitals, awful, we took our daughter to one on the 28th Feb this year, they completely misdiagnosed her, there diagnosis was so far out she died the next day, their may be some good ones, but my experience of them and the doctors is terrible, I won't go near one.
spencerd
Active Member
Sorry to hear of your loss Paul.
paulingreece
Well-Known Member
Thank you.