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General health

Urgent! Can anyone help with advice over getting medical treatment in France?

23 replies

Surfermum · 24/08/2006 10:06

We're travelling to France on Saturday. My dsd was run over last night - she's been cleared to travel by the doctors but she has had some stitches in her head and they need to be taken out while we're there.

Does anyone know if we're likely to have to pay for it and how much it'll cost?

Any advice about where to go to get them taken out? We're going to St Jean de Monts in the Vendee.

TIA

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Pamina3 · 24/08/2006 10:09

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sansouci · 24/08/2006 10:14

If things haven't changed in the 12 years since I left France, you pay up front for a consultation & given a receipt, which you claim on your health insurance. Medical care is reasonably inexpensive in France (said to be a nation of hypochondriacs where there's a 'pharmacie' every 500m. For the stitches, go to the nearest hospital & they will take them out there, no problem.

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 10:18

Thanks Pamina, she's fine and we're so relieved that it's just the cut and bumps and bruises as it could have been so much worse.

Yes, we've got the cards. Dh has just come off the phone - the insurance won't cover it, but we can claim back 70-80% with the EHIC cards when we get back.

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ggglimpopo · 24/08/2006 10:23

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 10:24

Thanks Sansouci. Do you know if we have to make an appointment or can we just turn up?

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ggglimpopo · 24/08/2006 10:26

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 10:27

Thanks ggglimpopo. Both the hospital here and the travel company said "it won't be cheap" - but £20 to make sure dsd gets her holiday is well worth it.

A friend of ours is an A&E nurse and he's offered his suture cutters. We both said "no way" - dsd was bad enough when we had to get a splinter out of her foot!

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ggglimpopo · 24/08/2006 10:29

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slalomsuki · 24/08/2006 10:29

They are fine in France

Give them the EHIC cards and they will treat you and then may ask you to pay or send the invoice to your home in the UK. The only problem with sending it to the UK is that you will have to then phone through with a credit card to pay or get someone to send a Euro cheque to pay it.

There are plenty of docs in St Jeans de Monts but no hospital. They are in the process of building one. The nearest hsopital is in Challans about 15kms and its fab. we had to get there at 5.30am last years after ds1 fell out of a bunk bed. They were fab and had him glued back together in 20 mins.

Where are you staying in St Jeans.

We are going back out there this Saturday to so have a great holiday

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 10:33

Ooh are you? Look out for a 10 year old with a black eye and that's us! We're staying at the Clarys Plage campsite, how about you? And more importantly have you seen a weather forecast?

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slalomsuki · 24/08/2006 10:37

I have got the forecast for Nantes which is the closest I can get and its saying 21 to 24c with sun for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

We are at Bois Dormant campsite but I know where you are. this is will be the 4th time this year we will be there. we bought a mobile home last year

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ggglimpopo · 24/08/2006 10:39

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 10:42

Better go and pack some warmer clothes then ! I was hoping to travel light for this holiday.

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slalomsuki · 24/08/2006 10:43

The campsite will give you a list of their recommended docs and may even have one who comes to the campsite at a set time of day. You won't have to go far

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slalomsuki · 24/08/2006 10:45

I have put some jumpers and long trousers in our bags along with cagoules. I've had to pack since I am getting a op on my achillies tendon this afternoon and will be off my feet until we go on Saturday.

At Easter there was ice so I know how cold it gets and also how warm it gets since I was there at the heatwave just over a month ago with 40 plus degrees

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 11:07

Hope the op goes well and hope you have a great time too.

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 11:09

Just had another thought! Where do you sail to? We're going Poole-Cherbourg. Any idea how long the drive is?

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slightlymad · 24/08/2006 15:01

This might help you girls!!
I've been to Bois Dormant 4 times - love it!

www.saint-jean-de-monts.com/vendee-vacances/bonus-webcam.htm

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slalomsuki · 24/08/2006 15:16

Back from op and feeling fine but it will be an excuse to sit down for a while.

Its approx 5 hours from Cherbourg, the worst part is getting off the Cherbourg penisula since its not all dual carrige way yet.
I have been trying out all the crossings this year and poole cherbourg is the best apart from the scramble for seats. We are doing portsmouth caen this time since we couldn't get on the fast craft. God help me since dh and ds1 get seasick
despite heavy medication.

Thanks for the web cam slightly mad will keep it on to see what is going on.

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Surfermum · 24/08/2006 19:01

Dh used to work on the "vomit comet". He's a salty old sea dog and can walk around without looking drunk and doesn't get sick. Me? I have to remain firmly in my seat looking at the horizon. I'm currently praying for a smooth crossing - hope you get one too!

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slalomsuki · 25/08/2006 10:39

I took my nephew with us to France a month ago and he was sick on every possible occasion. This included getting 4 seats and their respective occupiers on the ferry on the way out, non of who he was related to.

Did you know they employ people to clean up sick on the ferry...........what sort of careers advice is that

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slalomsuki · 25/08/2006 10:40

looks like it will be a smooth crossing this Saturday. Sit under an airconditioning vent for extra air or close but not next to the door

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Surfermum · 25/08/2006 11:52

Hurrah!

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