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Original poster

Hospitals in Crete

40 replies

nurseynursery · 27/04/2023 06:17

Does anyone have much experience of this? My partner is in Heraklion hospital after a bad fall, broken ribs etc The care really doesn't seem great. We don't speak greek and there isn't any staff anywhere. It's just the scariest time. Is there an alternative? Somewhere private? If anyone has any experience or advise I'd be so grateful.

OP posts:
Prettypaisleyslippers · 27/04/2023 06:20

Have you got travel insurance? If so find the emergency number for overseas assistance. They will get medical notes translated and talk to you about options, where he can go, hospital/clinic etc and when well enough for travel, they will arrange flight’s etc.

So1invictus · 27/04/2023 06:25

Was going to say travel insurance will cover a translator/interpreter and anything else needed.

Regarding staffing- I'm in Italy and it's possible (but I don't know) that hospital staffing works in the same way...pretty much 9-5 with 24h full staffing only in departments for extremely ill cases. (When I turned up at 4am in labour they had to ring someone to come in)

Try not to worry as I'm sure they'll have your partner's interests at heart and know what needs to be done.

Charlieiscool · 27/04/2023 06:30

The staff will speak enough English so please don’t worry about not speaking Greek, they will really try to help you. I’d look at one of the expat forums like BritsinCrete and someone living there might have advice.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
MumInBrussels · 27/04/2023 06:44

You could try calling the British consulate for advice - I'm pretty sure it's the sort of thing they can help with (though they can't help financially). There's a phone number at https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-vice-consulate-crete

British Vice Consulate Crete - GOV.UK

The British Vice Consulate in Crete represents the UK government in Greece.

https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-vice-consulate-crete

WestOfWestminster · 27/04/2023 06:49

I agree you should speak to your insurer.

Perhaps try posting on a FB group called Crete Forum too if you want local knowledge.

I hope your partner recovers ok

BananaBlue · 27/04/2023 06:53

This is third hand but a friend of mine in Athens had to go each day to help her husband wash and bring food.

was he staying at a hotel? Maybe worth asking them for advice?

I understand it’s a bit different in Greece as the family has to get involved.

I hope he gets better soon.

DustyLee123 · 27/04/2023 06:55

I believe you have to provide care and food, it’s not like here,

VenusStarr · 27/04/2023 07:21

My husband recently spent 2 weeks in a Spanish hospital. Insurance mainly sorted most things. There were translators that came round with the doctor once a day, first thing. I was able to call the hospital and ask for the translators and they would give me updates over the phone.

The British Embassy can't translate medical information but did say they could speak to the hospital on husband's behalf. And said they'd help repatriate us. But the insurance did all that and the embassy were quite laid back. They called the day after we finally got home and were surprised he'd been discharged 'as it usually takes weeks'.

Once he was medically stable, he only saw staff minimally. But when he was really poorly and on permanent iv fluids, they were very responsive to the call button for pain relief, anti-sickness meds etc. My husband can speak a bit of Spanish, but used Google translate on his phone quite a bit too.

Hope your partner is better soon.

Original poster
nurseynursery · 27/04/2023 08:19

Yes travel insurance. Phoned them and they're emailing hotel for notes to translate. No rush from their end as far as I can see. I'm so helpless. No one speaks English and I haven't spoken to a doctor since about 3am. Is there such as a private nurse I could hire? My kids are left at the hotel with people I have just met. It is a nightmare.

OP posts:
LIZS · 27/04/2023 08:28

If you booked via a tour operator the rep may be able to translate or find a liaison person at the hospital.

Modda · 27/04/2023 13:26

nurseynursery · 27/04/2023 08:19

Yes travel insurance. Phoned them and they're emailing hotel for notes to translate. No rush from their end as far as I can see. I'm so helpless. No one speaks English and I haven't spoken to a doctor since about 3am. Is there such as a private nurse I could hire? My kids are left at the hotel with people I have just met. It is a nightmare.

Tell the tour operate, go back to your kids and call the insurance again. They can get a translator

Reallyareyousure · 27/04/2023 13:36

You've left your kids with strangers to sit with your adult partner who has broken ribs? Seriously?

Covidisdrivingmecrazy · 27/04/2023 13:43

My sil is Greek middle class and she says nobody uses the public hospitals. When I broke my arm before her wedding there was no hospital in the resort and I had to wait until we got to try the city where we saw a private doctor, has a private x Ray and bought the splint. It was all paid back by insurance afterwards but paid up front.

So that might explain a bit (you are maybe in an underfunded public hospital). Her on to the tour operator, push hard at travel insurance and I'm sure the kids are fine

Modda · 27/04/2023 13:45

Your insurance policy will most likely transfer him to a private clinic. If it's just broken ribs he won't be in long anyway will he?

maddy68 · 27/04/2023 13:48

Wait .. he's just got broken ribs and you've left your kids with strangers ?

I know it's a shock for you as your instinct is to help an injured person.

But honestly. He's just broken his ribs. They will be very sore. There is no treatment (just nursing my friend through this now!)
They will give him pain relief. That's it. And send him out.

Go back to your kids. You are also spiking someone else's holiday

They will put him in a taxi back to the hotel. You don't need to be there now you know it's nothing serious

greenacrylicpaint · 27/04/2023 14:21

re travel insurance - have a look what it says regarding healthcare and re-patriation in the t&c.
and keep phoning them to get information.
also check if you have travel insurance with other means (aa membership, bank account).

and yes to calling the holiday rep wrt help with translation.

all the best

Tansytea · 27/04/2023 14:22

Don't be too hard on her, she said broken ribs etc and a bad fall. Not just he's broken a rib being hit by a mini golf ball. I have been to hospital in Heraklion after a person I was travelling with had an accident, they were very good, straight in the with the scans and so on. However they did not put him in a taxi, we had to organise that. It was all good though, good treatment and so on.

unfortunateevents · 27/04/2023 14:24

Why are the insurance company calling the hotel - do you mean they are calling the hospital?

Tansytea · 27/04/2023 14:27

I would add though, you are posting really in the middle of the night, at least the first time. When I was there I didn't see many people in the small hours.

Throwncrumbs · 27/04/2023 14:50

Was he drunk? Greek hospitals are very basic, it’s the start of the season for drunken brits turning up demanding care…can’t believe you left your kids with strangers either!

Modda · 27/04/2023 15:01

Throwncrumbs · 27/04/2023 14:50

Was he drunk? Greek hospitals are very basic, it’s the start of the season for drunken brits turning up demanding care…can’t believe you left your kids with strangers either!

I hope not or the insurance most likely won't pay.

MissyB1 · 27/04/2023 15:06

Throwncrumbs · 27/04/2023 14:50

Was he drunk? Greek hospitals are very basic, it’s the start of the season for drunken brits turning up demanding care…can’t believe you left your kids with strangers either!

Wow that’s quite an assumption! Because he’s a Brit abroad you assume he was drunk?!

Original poster
nurseynursery · 27/04/2023 15:15

Yes my kids were with a family we met on the plane, with daughters the same ages as mine. my husband was unconscious and rushed to a foreign hospital in an ambulance so it seemed the best option to me. No thankfully he hadn't had a drink, he might have had a beer at lunch but not for a few hours and only one I think. He's on a ward and in so much pain. His head has been shaved for the stitches and has a massive bandage round his head. Ribs and sternum broken but I don't think there's a lot to be done about that. On a drip and has a catheter in place. Wish someone could speak English and listen to him. I'm back with kids now and waiting for insurance to ring me back. It's all a nightmare. Thank you for all your replies.

OP posts:
Original poster
nurseynursery · 27/04/2023 15:19

Meant to add he'll be in for 3 days minimum. Kids aren't allowed on ward so I really don't know what to do, you all say don't leave kids but I can't just not see him for 3 days. He's not able to text or anything today. Hopefully he will be able to use his phone himself later or tomorrow. He can't fly for 2-3 weeks so I don't know how the bloody hell I navigate that with kids and school and work.

OP posts:
purpleboy · 27/04/2023 15:22

So sorry to hear this op it must be terrifying for you all.
My dad took I'll in Crete a few years ago now, we called reception who called an ambulance, I then called the insurance company.
He was taken to a private hospital, the dr etc.. all spoke basic English so we were able to get by. They wanted him to be flown home on a private medical plane. He ended up staying in about 5 days and was discharged.
Sorry I'm not much help but I remember the feeling well and I sympathise with what your going through.
Hope he gets better soon.