Medical matters

I was going to let you know all the details of Neil’s recent hospital operation but… well, SymiDream’s not that kind of site! Instead I thought I’d just mention a few things about the medical services around here. A lot of visitors ask about this when I’m taking my village walks and many are surprised at the answers.

As we pass the Old Pharmacy in the village – restored in the 1950’s to its original state – and take a look inside I am sure some people expect our island clinic (in Yialos) to look similar. In fact we’re quite up to date on medical matters around here and, compared to my experiences in the UK, we’re better off.

For a start, Neil’s operation. (Nothing major, just your usual “getting near to middle aged and spent a lot of time sitting down” problem.) Having visited a private specialist in Rhodes (consultation for as long as necessary, ultrasounds, good English and no waiting – all for around €60) he was referred to the award winning hospital in Rhodes for the surgery. At this point something unusual happened. The surgeon (actually chief-surgeon) phoned to apologise for the wait he would have to endure as a new operating theatre was being built and this had caused a backlog. The wait, as it turned out, was for two months.

Not too bad compared to the UK but a lot longer than the wait another friend had to endure for a hernia Op. He saw the island doctor who diagnosed the problem, phoned the hospital there and then and then asked “when would you like to go in? Is next Wednesday o.k.?” – My 85 year old godfather had to wait 18 months with the good old NHS.

Anyway, the hospital rang on a Friday and invited Neil in on the Sunday, the op was done on the Monday and he was out on the Friday. His only complaint was the food. Noodle soup with lemon and camomile tea for five days. But it’s a good way of losing weight. The wards at Rhodes General have a maximum of four beds, so it’s fairly private, but the corridor can be a bit noisy especially at night. The nurses are efficient and don’t stand for any messing about, the doctors are succinct and to the point and visiting hours seem to be whenever you want and  for as long as you want.

Thanks to IKA and TEVE (health insurance schemes for workers and self employed folk) everything is paid for and the paper work is surprisingly straightforward.

So top marks for the hospital in Rhodes!

Back on the island we have the new clinic down town and the only grumble I’ve heard about the staff there is that they tell you off for not coming to see a doctor before you realised you were ill. Prevention is a big thing around here and the ‘health books’ you need each year to work in bars or restaurants – though a bit time consuming to arrange – are actually a part of the prevention ethos, I feel. You need a blood test and chest X-ray annually to update your book. Again free (or you can go private if you want) and an annual way of checking for anything nasty that might be lurking within without you knowing.

One last thing: if you’re on Symi and you have a medical emergency there are a few ways of being dealt with:

1. Dire emergency – you get air-lifted to Rhodes in about 20 minutes, quicker than phoning an ambulance back home?
2. Not so dire but still an emergency – a ferry or boat will take you over immediately on a special trip
3. You can wait till later – the boat will take you when it’s next going and someone will take you to the hospital at the other end if you can’t get there yourself.
4. You can wait till you get home – the local clinic will treat you for free and then you can see your own doctors when you get home

But remember – if you are visiting you should always have health insurance or an E111 form – as being airlifted off is probably very expensive!

So, now we are all fit and healthy again and summer is about to start we can give up smoking, stop drinking so much beer, take more exercise and… What a thought! Quick! I need a valium.