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Are you prepared for a medical emergency?
 By James Baker (Partner of Advoco law and accountancy)
In my job I am often called upon to assist other foreign residents at the medical centre,whether interpreting, sorting out an administrative matter or occasionally assisting in afull-on crisis. It occurs to me that most of us are not as well-prepared as perhaps weshould be for an emergency. Maybe it is a case of “it will never happen to me”, but life isfull of surprises as I found out myself last year when I fell off a ladder and shattered mywrist.Luckily I was in a fit state to be driven to the medical centre and then taken by ambulanceto hospital. Given that both my wife and I speak Spanish and are in the social securitysystem it is perhaps not surprising that I got the operation and after-care rehabilitation Ineeded without too much difficulty. But I have seen several incidents where a lack of  preparation has badly complicated already nasty medical situations. Here are somethings to think about now, before you actually need to:Who do you call?Spain’s emergency number is 112. If this is news to you, your top priority is to memorisethis number! If you have any conditions or risk factors that make emergencyhospitalisation more likely, you may wish to research your local ambulance service.Where will the ambulance come from? Is it better to have their direct number? Howlong are the distances between the ambulance and you and you and a suitable hospital?Weigh up the option of driving directly to hospital. Who could you ask in thiseventuality? Have you discussed it with them?Habla español? Not being able to speak Spanish is not an insuperable obstacle in Spain but a littlethought should be given to what would happen in case of emergency if you don’t have aSpanish speaker to hand. You are unlikely to get an English-speaker when you phone for an ambulance and though some medical centres and hospitals have facilities for English-speakers, many do not. Again think of who you can call on to help out in emergency.Also consider writing up a memo of useful phrases and bits of Spanish you might need inmedical or other emergencies.If you have retired to Spain from abroad, particularly if you have a condition or are in ahigh risk group, it is a good idea to bring a copy of your doctors’ notes from home withyou. Have them translated to Spanish and discuss them with your doctor before you havethe chance to become ill. I have had a couple of instances where a patient has been veryill and the doctors have wasted a lot of time because they have a no patient history.Right to treatment
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