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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 2005.
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 - my only criticism
is that they lack the specialist equipment available at the general and should
be considered more as a casualty department.
Useful Numbers:
Hospital (Corfu Town) 26610 458117/30033/30562
Polyclinic 26610 36044/22946
Doctor Dr John Yannopapas
M.B.Ch.B British GP
26610 97811 (surgery)
6932 456328 (mobile)
Dentist 26610 44495/52169
Police 100
Ambulance 166
Tourist Police 26610 30265
British Consulate 26610 30055/23457
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Greek Hospitals - My
report
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 day after he was admitted - two days before the
operation was due. We traveled to the mainland to Ioaninna - 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. He had a
great time. The room had four beds - with the average age of the occupants
of about 90 years! All the fellow patients were very friendly - with similar ailments.
Mum for most of the time was provided with a spare bed. We were also allowed
to take along at TV - and of course my trusty laptop.
There were though, worrying looking posters on our wards walls, 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. 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 giving to each patient - depending on the
instructions by the hospital dietitian.
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