Corfu Hospitals and Doctors

Should you need healthcare during you holiday - do not worry - you will be in good hands. Most Corfiot doctors speak English as they have often been trained in the UK. All major resorts have a doctors surgery which can be used for minor emergencies. The general hospital in Corfu town is currently being replaced by a new modern one in Gouvia with an impressive heliport. It will be ready in 2007

In Greece, the healthcare is free to EU citizens due to a reciprocal agreement within the EU, but the conditions are basic.

The private clinic is much better and although you pay, your travel insurance will cover it.

Hospital (Corfu Town) 26610 458117/30033/30562
Polyclinic 26610 36044/22946
Dentist 26610 44495/52169
Police 100
Ambulance 166
Tourist Police 26610 30265
British Consulate 26610 30055/23457

The following report is based on a recent two week hospital visit. Although it is based on a hospital on the mainland (a one hour drive), the new Corfu hospital is being based on its design.

I took my father-in-law for his yearly medical checkup. The doctor after two or three tests, recommended that a prostate operation was needed. What are you doing tomorrow? he asked, I want to admit you to the hospital. Father replied: "I cannot go tomorrow I'm going fishing!" Isn't there a three year waiting list or something? I enquired. No the doctor replied, he needs an operation so we will do it now! The next day he was admitted - two days before the operation was due. We travelled to Ioaninna on the mainland - a one hour drive. The hospital is similar to any modern European equivalent that I have visited - although outside it could have done with a coat of paint. Dad had a great time. The room had four beds - with the average age of the occupants being about 90 years! All the fellow patients were very friendly - with similar ailments. For most of the time Mum was provided with a spare bed. We were also allowed to take along a TV - and of course my trusty laptop.

On the walls of our ward, though, there were rather worrying looking posters, showing the latest surgical techniques with one device that looked like an old defoliated Christmas tree - you can bet where that was meant to go! Many have criticized Greek hospitals saying that there are no nursing facilities and therefore it is up to the family members to provide it. This is only partly true. The nurses and doctors visit every three hours. In between that time the patients are on their own. In most cases - as with father-in-law, family members do stay day and night. Emergency buttons are above every bed - to request any immediate help. Many agencies operate private nursing so that you can have a 24hr nurse on hand to keep the patient comfortable. These are inexpensive and your travel insurance will cover it. Food was provided by the hospital, with different meals given to each patient - depending on the instructions by the hospital dietitian.